Along with a myriad other ancient creatures, this is how it was about five million years ago.
Now these ancient life stories are being told through the stone bones excavated at the West Coast Fossil Park, while archaeologists piece together a fascinating picture of the past.
Phosphate miners working along the West Coast at Langebaanweg started digging up bones in 1958. But then more peculiar bones were unearthed that seemed to belong to unusual animals.
Little did the archaeologists realise the site they were mining was to become the most significant miopliocene fossil deposit of the region - and would be recognised globally as one of the richest sites dating back 10 million years.
The phosphate mine eventually had to close for economic reasons - in 1993 - and the 14 hectares of fossil deposits within the 700ha area was declared a national heritage site.
In a joint private-public partnership, the mine then subsidised the 1998 start-up and running costs of the park and Iziko: South African Museum manages the site, which is now self-sustaining.
Visitors to the park can view the fossils in situ, and walk along elevated wooden walkways to view the fossils up close. Guides bring the masses of bones to life, with tales of the way life was here all those millions of years ago.
It lends a different perspective to life on Earth and the evolution of species. At the covered excavation site, guests can fossick for smaller fossils in sorting trays.
A special aspect of this park is that some fossils - which some will find of no interest - are brought to life and visitors can enjoy an interactive experience that's interesting and informative.
There are also complementary displays and facilities.
The old mine buildings are now an educational centre and house a library, lecture room, fossil laboratory, shop and tearoom.
Interestingly, the now arid West Coast was not always that way. Five million years ago, it was a subtropical wonderland - lush, green and steamy. And, of course, the creatures that lived there, the vertebrates and invertebrates, were different too.
Ongoing digs are providing archaeologists with even deeper insight into earlier times.
The most dominant animal currently being excavated is the giraffid, which was a huge, long-horned, short necked giraffe-like herbivore that roamed the area - a life-size reconstruction is planned for display at the park.
But most surprising of the finds so far could be the first bear remains ever found south of the Sahara. The remains of 11 of these huge, long-legged African hunting bears have been unearthed, and it's believed they were the top predator in the area during the early Pliocene.
The West Coast Fossil Park has adopted the bear as its logo.
Five species of hyena have also been discovered - today only three are known to be living throughout Africa.
The hipparion or three-toed horse inhabited the area, while the sabre-toothed cat and gomphothere elephant are reminiscent of today's big five.
There were also ancient rhino and buffalo, as well as small mammals such as mice and rats. Birds and frogs were prolific, along with plentiful marine life.
An extinct true seal, four extinct penguin species, along with whales and sharks, have also shown up in excavations. More than 200 species have been discovered, and the fossil park is now believed to contain the greatest diversity of five-million-year-old fossils on Earth.
These are all intriguing finds, but current research is still looking for answers. The main question is: what caused the mass extinction of species? Was it a catastrophic flood? It may take years of excavation before the answer is known.
"The site is helping us share our knowledge with people of all ages and backgrounds," says West Coast Fossil Park manager Pippa Haarhoff, who is a palaeontologist specialising in fossil birds.
"It gets people thinking about a much bigger picture of how life has been changing through time. It puts our lives in perspective."
While the park focuses on research, education and ecotourism, it is also committed to environmental and socio-economic projects.
In an effort to rehabilitate the mined area, all alien vegetation has been cleared and replaced with indigenous plants. Locals were hired and it took seven years of slog, but the alien clearing programme is now in a low maintenance phase of removal and control.
Locals fill the complement of staff at the fossil park. When the mine closed, about 250 people were rendered jobless, so employment opportunities were created for them.
They refurbished the mine buildings and built displays and research facilities. Many former mine staff are employed as tourist guides, fossil sorters,cleaners, maintenance staff, administrators and caterers - some even run their own businesses.
For those who want to enjoy the area beyond the fossils, there are nature hikes and trails, cycling trails and a bird hide.
There are also a plan to use the upgraded railway network for tourists and run educational trains.
The possibilities are endless as geotourism gains popularity in South Africa. Already people from around the world visit the West Coast Fossil Park and in so doing contribute to conserving fossils, to the benefit of science and education.
Here's your chance to catch a glimpse of life as it was 10 million years ago - in all its steamy, prehistoric glory.
