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Name: Yutyrannus
Pronunciation: YOO-tie-RAN-us Translation: Feathered Tyrant Diet: Carnivore Height: 10 feet (3 meters) Length: 30 feet (9 meters) Weight: 1.3 tons (1400 kilograms) Location: China Time: Cretaceous (125 - 121 Million Years Ago) |
Yutyrannus gets its name from the fossil evidence that this dinosaur was covered in a coat of feathers. In fact, Yutyrannus was the largest animal we currently know had feathers, living or extinct. Unlike some dinosaurs, Yutyrannus’ feathers were likely for more than just display purposes, although it was far too large to fly. However, these feathers likely provided Yutyrannus with a layer of insulation, and scientists believe that its habitat in ancient China was rather cold, meaning a layer of insulated feathers would have helped Yutyrannus stay warm when temperatures became harsh.
Yutyrannus was an apex predator and was thought by some paleontologists to be a pack-hunter that worked together in small groups to bring down large sauropods, or long-necked dinosaurs. Yutyrannus also had notably long arms, meaning it likely killed prey by grappling or slashing as opposed to many of its Tyrannosaurid cousins, like Tyrannosaurus rex, which are known for using their powerful jaws to bring down their prey.
Yutyrannus was an apex predator and was thought by some paleontologists to be a pack-hunter that worked together in small groups to bring down large sauropods, or long-necked dinosaurs. Yutyrannus also had notably long arms, meaning it likely killed prey by grappling or slashing as opposed to many of its Tyrannosaurid cousins, like Tyrannosaurus rex, which are known for using their powerful jaws to bring down their prey.