Carboniferous Epoch (359–299 million years ago)
The Carboniferous epoch is renowned for its extensive swampy forests that eventually formed vast coal deposits. Giant ferns, horsetails, and seed plants dominated the landscape. The air was teeming with massive insects, like dragonflies with wingspans reaching over two feet. This epoch also saw the emergence of early reptiles, taking a significant step towards the dominance of terrestrial vertebrates.