Yutyrannus huali is an extinct species of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago. The name "Yutyrannus" means "feathered tyrant" and refers to its relationship with tyrannosaurs, while "huali" translates as "beautiful" in Chinese, in reference to the beauty of the fossils found.
Yutyrannus huali is especially notable because it is one of the largest known dinosaurs ever discovered with evidence of feathers. Fossils found in northeast China's Liaoning province show feather impressions preserved in the surrounding rock and in the dinosaur skeleton itself.
It is estimated that Yutyrannus huali measured around 9 meters in length and weighed around 1.4 tons. Although smaller than its famous relative, Tyrannosaurus rex, Yutyrannus was still a formidable predator. It had a large, robust head with sharp, curved teeth, adapted to tear the flesh of its prey.
Feathers found in Yutyrannus fossils indicate that it had a primitive coat composed of primitive filamentous feathers, similar to the feathers of modern birds. These feathers may have helped Yutyrannus regulate its body temperature or attract mates during mating season.
The discovery of Yutyrannus huali has been very important for our understanding of the evolution of feathers and the appearance of feathered dinosaurs. He has also challenged the previous idea that only small dinosaurs had feathers and has shown that even large, carnivorous dinosaurs like Yutyrannus were capable of developing this feature.
Approximate measurements of the Yutyrannus:
Yutyrannus huali is especially notable because it is one of the largest known dinosaurs ever discovered with evidence of feathers. Fossils found in northeast China's Liaoning province show feather impressions preserved in the surrounding rock and in the dinosaur skeleton itself.
It is estimated that Yutyrannus huali measured around 9 meters in length and weighed around 1.4 tons. Although smaller than its famous relative, Tyrannosaurus rex, Yutyrannus was still a formidable predator. It had a large, robust head with sharp, curved teeth, adapted to tear the flesh of its prey.
Feathers found in Yutyrannus fossils indicate that it had a primitive coat composed of primitive filamentous feathers, similar to the feathers of modern birds. These feathers may have helped Yutyrannus regulate its body temperature or attract mates during mating season.
The discovery of Yutyrannus huali has been very important for our understanding of the evolution of feathers and the appearance of feathered dinosaurs. He has also challenged the previous idea that only small dinosaurs had feathers and has shown that even large, carnivorous dinosaurs like Yutyrannus were capable of developing this feature.
Approximate measurements of the Yutyrannus:
- Scale 1:35 Assembly kit
- Length 179mm
- Height 96mm
- Width 127mm
- Snout-tail length 256 mm
- 1:20 scale Assembly kit
- Length 313mm
- Height 167mm
- Width 222mm
- Snout-tail length 450 mm
