Beipiaosaurus

dinosaur · feathered · Early Cretaceous · China

Fuzzy dinosaur pioneer. Beipiaosaurus was one of the heaviest dinosaurs we know for certain had feathers, discovered in 1996 in China. Its feathers were preserved so well that scientists could tell they were brownish in color.

Actual feather impressions. Unlike most fossils, Beipiaosaurus left behind clear imprints of its feather structures in rock. These impressions told scientists exactly what the feathers looked like and even their color.

Ancient China resident. This dinosaur lived during the Early Cretaceous period in an area of China called the Yixian Formation. It walked the Earth about 125 million years ago.

Three known skeletons. Scientists have found three specimens of Beipiaosaurus, which gave them enough information to understand this dinosaur's appearance and lifestyle.

Strange claw design. Beipiaosaurus belonged to a group called therizinosaurs, which were unusual theropod dinosaurs with massive claws despite being plant eaters.