microraptor

3D Model

Microraptor, which means “small thief” in Greek, gets its name from being the smallest known species of raptor dinosaurs, or dinosaurs with birdlike qualities. It’s also currently the smallest of all known dinosaurs, weighing about two pounds and only a foot tall. But with a new species discovered on average every week, that could change!

This dinosaur had flight feathers on both its front and back limbs, and it had long upper arm bones similar to those seen in today’s birds. It also had a fan of feathers on its tail that it might have used to steer as it coasted to the ground. Scientists have discovered that its feathers were iridescent, meaning they had a metallic shine similar to the feathers of modern peacocks and hummingbirds. originally credited to Sammy The Citipati (@SammyTheCitipati)