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Flying Microraptor

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The most common dinosaur in these

forests

doesn’t live on the ground: Microraptor.

The fossils of Microraptor are so well preserved, they clearly reveal every

detail

of its anatomy. With distinctive claws on its first

toe

this is a member of the raptor family. But these claws evolved for climbing

rather

than killing. At less than a metre long this was a dinosaur perfectly suited to live in the

trees

. Microraptor is small and perfectly adapted to

chasing

prey.

Xianglong however has a trick. This is a flying lizard. It seems to have the perfect

skill

to escape. But the fossils of Microraptor reveal something else. This was a feathered dinosaur, but these feathers aren’t for

keeping

warm or for show. Their structure is plainly

visible

from the fossils. They are very long, veined, and most importantly their

shape

creates a perfect aerodynamic surface. And they aren’t confined to its forearms. Its legs too had long feathers.

These feathers are

designed

for one thing only: flight. Microraptor is a four-winged dinosaur that took to the

skies

Transcript

The most common dinosaur in these forests doesn’t live on the ground: Microraptor.

The fossils of Microraptor are so well preserved, they clearly reveal every detail of its anatomy. With distinctive claws on its first toe this is a member of the raptor family. But these claws evolved for climbing rather than killing. At less than a metre long this was a dinosaur perfectly suited to live in the trees. Microraptor is small and perfectly adapted to chasing prey.

Xianglong however has a trick. This is a flying lizard. It seems to have the perfect skill to escape. But the fossils of Microraptor reveal something else. This was a feathered dinosaur, but these feathers aren’t for keeping warm or for show. Their structure is plainly visible from the fossils. They are very long, veined, and most importantly their shape creates a perfect aerodynamic surface. And they aren’t confined to its forearms. Its legs too had long feathers.

These feathers are designed for one thing only: flight. Microraptor is a four-winged dinosaur that took to the skies.