The Pleistocene Epoch, lasting from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, is known for its repeated glacial cycles. During this time, large ice sheets covered significant parts of the northern continents, including areas of North America and Europe. These glaciers advanced and retreated, shaping the landscape and influencing climate patterns. This epoch is also notable for the emergence and evolution of many species, including early humans like Homo sapiens. The Pleistocene saw the rise and fall of megafauna, such as the woolly mammoth and saber-toothed cat, which adapted to the cold environments before many became extinct as the climate warmed at the end of the epoch.