For B,the Quarternary Period is more commonly known as the ice age, so that wouldn't be the answer.
For C, the first whales evolved 15 million to 50 million years ago, and the Quartenary Period was only around 1.8 million years ago, so that eliminates that answer as well.
For D, the Neogene Period gave rise to early primates such as early humans, sheep, goats, and gazelle flourished in this period. The bats, cats, dogs, cattle and mammoths cam more in the Quartenary period.
Therefore by process of elimination, A should be the correct answer.