Sinosauropteryx

The carnivorous theropod Sinosauropteryx is native to north-east China and dates back to the Early Cretaceous period. This genus weighs a little over five pounds and grows to around 1m in length. It is a relative of Compsognathus although, unlike its older cousin, it has feathers. In fact, it is the first known example of a non-avian dinosaur to display feathers, and lead paleontologists towards the theory that modern-day birds evolved from dinosaur reptiles.

Discovery

The first Sinosauropteryx was discovered in 1996 by local farmer Li YinFang in Liaoning Province. The find initially caused great controversy, with many experts suspicious of this apparently feathered dinosaur that could not fly, and there is still debate over the exact nature of Sinosauropteryx’s feathers to this day. The genus was officially named Sinosauropteryx shortly after it was discovered, the name translating to ‘Chinese reptilian wing’.

Palaeoecology

Sinosauropteryx lived in China approximately 122-124 million years ago and is believed to have roamed nearby prairies in search of food. It existed on a diet of small lizards and mammals and evolved to run quickly in pursuit of fast-moving prey.