08Mesozoic
Velociraptor
Velociraptor mongoliensis
This turkey-sized feathered predator carried a raised sickle claw on each foot.
Mongolia · Northern China
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Dinosaurs Found in China
Explore dinosaurs found in China, including feathered Liaoning fossils, Mamenchisaurus from the southwest and Monolophosaurus from Xinjiang.
Places, environments and evidence
China’s atlas records connect very different discoveries: small feathered dinosaurs in northeastern lake deposits, long-necked sauropods in the southwest and Jurassic predators in Xinjiang. The selection uses explicit Chinese localities, including Inner Mongolia. Animals recorded only in Mongolia or elsewhere in Asia are not automatically included.
50Mesozoic
Protoceratops
Protoceratops andrewsi
Protoceratops was a small, beaked ceratopsian from Late Cretaceous Mongolia. Its neck frill and four-legged body distinguish it from its predator Velociraptor.
Mongolia · Northern China
54Mesozoic
Microraptor
Microraptor gui
Microraptor was a small feathered theropod from Early Cretaceous China. Long feathers on both forelimbs and hind limbs created several aerodynamic surfaces.
Northeastern China
55Mesozoic
Yi qi
Yi qi
Yi qi was a small Jurassic theropod with feathers and preserved traces of a wing membrane. A rod-like element extending from the wrist made its wing unlike a modern bird's.
Northeastern China
87Mesozoic
Psittacosaurus
Psittacosaurus mongoliensis
A deep parrot-like beak helped this early horned dinosaur process plants; this record distinguishes P. mongoliensis from other specimens of the genus.
Interior East Asia · Mongolia and northern China
230Mesozoic
Mamenchisaurus
Mamenchisaurus hochuanensis
Nineteen elongated neck vertebrae placed nearly half the body's length in the neck, lightened internally by air spaces.
Lake and river woodland · Southwestern China
231Mesozoic
Sinosauropteryx
Sinosauropteryx prima
Simple filamentous feathers and tail color bands made it the first dinosaur restored with evidence-based coloration.
Volcanic lakes and woodland · Liaoning, China
232Mesozoic
Caudipteryx
Caudipteryx zoui
Orderly vaned feathers covered its arms and short tail, but symmetric feathers and body proportions prevented powered flight.
Lakeside forest · Liaoning, China
332Mesozoic
Epidexipteryx
Epidexipteryx hui
Four long tail feathers displayed rather than powering flight.
Forested lakeshores · Inner Mongolia, China
563Mesozoic
Monolophosaurus
Monolophosaurus jiangi
A single crest running from snout to skull roof gave this medium theropod a distinctive profile.
Lakeshore and river plain · Xinjiang, China
Common questions
Were all dinosaurs found in China feathered?
No such conclusion follows from locality. Feather evidence comes from particular specimens and lineages. Read the evidence section of each profile rather than assigning feathers to every Chinese dinosaur.