Feathered Dinosaurs?Feathered Dinosaurs?

Scientists have recently realized that birds are the descendents of dinosaurs. Not only that, but some scientists also say that dinosaurs as far back as the Jurassic era may have even been feathered!

The SkeletonThe SkeletonThere are a number of skeletal similarities between birds and dinosaurs. These include:

• The structure of the hip bone• The furcula (otherwise known as the wishbone)• The brooding of eggs• Air-filled bones• The feet – the most distinguishing feature is that

both dinosaurs and birds are theropods!• Feathers evolved from scales. In fact, many

dinosaurs may have had feathers (including Velociraptors and baby Tyrannosauruses)

A T-Rex vs. A Common A T-Rex vs. A Common BirdBird

What is a Theropod?What is a Theropod?A Theorpod is the kind of bipedal dinosaur, which means they stood on two feet which each have three toes. Theropods first appeared in the late Triassic period and have evolved into contemporary birds.

Size of Theropods in Size of Theropods in LengthLength

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Length (metres)

T-Rex Giganotosaurus Velociraptor Blue Jay

Species of Theropods

Fossilized FeathersFossilized FeathersFossilized feathers were found in China that date back to the late Jurassic period. Velociraptors, made famous in Jurassic Park, were likely feathered and may have even been capable of flight.

What feathered dinosaurs What feathered dinosaurs may have looked like…may have looked like…

As an Added Bonus:As an Added Bonus:Generally, What People Think of Dinosaurs:Generally, What People Think of Dinosaurs:

Totally Awesome

Yeah, They're PrettyCool

I've Seen Better

No, I hate them

*

* Not representative of any factual data

ResourcesResources• Info:

– http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/feathered/index.html

– http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2002

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropod

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannosaurus

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giganotosaurus

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_jay

• Images: – http://

www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/feathered/images/dei_head.jpg

– http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/photogalleries/feathered_dinosaur/images/primary/feathery_dino1.jpg

– http://www.fossiel.net/kids/images/tyrannosaurus.gif

– http://www.biology-resources.com/drawing-bird-skeleton.html

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TrexFoot.jpg

– http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn12666/dn12666-1_294.jpg

– http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/images/2007/06/13/dinosaur.jpg