Shangyang graciles

† Shangyang graciles is an Early Cretaceous dinosaur known from China, contributing to understanding the diversity of small theropods and possibly early birds in Jehol Biota assemblages of northeastern China.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Shangyang graciles 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

Cretaceous Early Mesozoic Era

Shangyang graciles 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.