Microraptor
Microraptor gui
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<dinofyi-dinosaur slug="microraptor"></dinofyi-dinosaur>Microraptor was a small, four-winged dinosaur with flight feathers on both its arms and legs. It could likely glide between trees. Preserved plumage shows it was iridescent black, like a modern crow.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Human Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 0.8 m | smaller than a human child |
| Height | 0.3 m | — |
| Weight | 1 kg | lighter than a human adult |
Diet & Feeding
Microraptor was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.
Time Period
Microraptor lived during the Cretaceous Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 145.0 to 100.5 million years ago.
The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur evolution with the rise of ornithopods and early ceratopsians. Flowering plants first appeared and began to transform terrestrial ecosystems. Spinosaurus and other large theropods lived during this time.
Discovery & Naming
| Named By | Xu Xing et al. |
| Discovery Year | 2003 |
| Discovery Location | Liaoning Province, China |
Classification
Raptors
Small to medium-sized feathered theropods known for their sickle-shaped retractable claws on the second toe. Includes Velociraptor and Deinonychus. Closely related to birds.
Size Comparison
At 0.8 meters long and 1.0 kg, Microraptor was smaller than a human child and lighter than a human adult.
Other dinosaurs from the same period:
Quick Facts
| Classification | Dromaeosauridae |
| Geologic Period | Cretaceous Early |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Size | 0.8m long, 0.3m tall, 1.0kg |
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