View original imageThis is an original generative reconstruction, not a photograph or scientific plate.
231 / Mesozoic
Sinosauropteryx
Sinosauropteryx prima
Simple filamentous feathers and tail color bands made it the first dinosaur restored with evidence-based coloration.
- Time range
- About 125 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Volcanic lakes and woodland · Liaoning, China
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Sinosauropteryx?
Sinosauropteryx (Sinosauropteryx prima) was an extinct organism known from About 125 million years ago, with a range in Volcanic lakes and woodland · Liaoning, China.
Life and ecology
Sinosauropteryx was a small compsognathid covered in short primitive feathers. Stomach contents show it ate lizards and small mammals.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Sinosauropteryx disappear?
The Jehol ecosystem and its small predators continued to turn over after this genus disappeared.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Sinosauropteryx?
Complete impressions preserve feather outlines and gut contents; melanosomes support reddish-brown tones and a banded tail.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS