Ubirajara

In Depth        Ubirajara is a genus of compsognathid dinosaur that lived in South America during the early Cretaceous.‭ ‬At the time of its description Ubirajara is unique amongst the compsognathids due to the elaborate feather covering.‭ ‬This is mainly from a bushy mane of hair like proto-feathers that measured up to‭ ‬11‭ ‬centimetres long over … Read more

Sinocalliopteryx

In Depth        Given that compsognathids usually grow to just over one meter in length,‭ ‬Sinocalliopteryx is the veritable giant of the group being even larger than others such as Huaxiagnathus.‭ ‬This large size meant that Sinocalliopteryx was not satisfied with the small lizards and mammals usually associated with their smaller kin,‭ ‬and is a notion … Read more

Xunmenglong

In Depth        Xunmenglong is a genus of compsognathid dinosaur that lived in China during the early Cretaceous.‭ ‬Xunmenglong seems‭ ‬to‭ ‬have been a very small dinosaur,‭ ‬small even for a compsognathid.‭ ‬As such,‭ ‬Xunmenglong was probably a small predator,‭ ‬feeding upon insects and very small vertebrates. Further Reading -‭ ‬A new compsognathid theropod dinosaur from … Read more

Huaxiagnathus

In Depth        Huaxiagnathus is one of the larger members of the compsognathid group of dinosaurs, although it is smaller than the related Sinocalliopteryx which is also from the Yixian Formation. The fore limbs of Huaxiagnathus are proportionately larger and more developed than other related dinosaurs suggesting that they had a greater role in prey capture … Read more

Beipiaognathus

In Depth        Described as a compsognathid dinosaur in‭ ‬2016,‭ ‬the holotype Beipiaognathus has since been accused of being a fake.‭ ‬The theory is that the holotype is actually parts of many different creatures that an unscrupulous fossil dealer has stuck together in order to sell the fossil for more money.‭ ‬Unfortunately this is an often … Read more

Sinosauropteryx

In Depth        Sinosauropteryx was the first confirmed feathered but non-avian dinosaur discovered.‭ ‬What this means is that while Sinosauropteryx had protofeathers,‭ ‬it was still more like theropod dinosaurs than birds.‭ ‬Sinosauropteryx is often described as being very small‭ ‬at sixty-eight centimetres long‭ ‬however this measurement was just for the holotype specimen which was a juvenile.‭ … Read more

Compsognathus

compsognathus

In Depth        Despite its diminutive size Compsognathus is one of the dinosaurs that are best known to science.‭ ‬Not only was the skeleton well persevered but the remains of its last meal,‭ ‬a small lizard named Bavarisaurus were also found inside the specimen proving without doubt that Compsognathus was a carnivore.‭ ‬At the time of … Read more