Stories written by: YANG Yang
Who is Gaoyuan the Microraptor?
Microraptor was a small dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in the Early Cretaceous, with fossils found in Liaoning Province, China. Their body was covered in feathers and had four wings. They are the first flying dinosaurs discovered. Gaoyuan is a member of the Microraptor family.
Model Size/20cm X 18.2cm X12cm
Model Material/ Environment-friendly PVC, hand painting
Model Structure/Solid Structure
Package Size/24.65cm X 7.1cm X 12.3cm
Inside Package/ Model + A3 Poster + Product Manual
Transparent Support/No
How did ZHAO Chuang and YANG Yang create Gaoyuan the Microraptor?
The Size of Gaoyuan the Microraptor
The Microraptor genus consists of three species, namely M. zhaoianus, M. gui, and M. hanqingi, and their body shapes are different. Among them, M. zhaoianus and M. gui typically had a body length of 55-77 cm, while M. hanqingi was relatively large, which could reach 1 meter. Gaoyuan the Microraptor we created is an M. zhaoianus.
The Feathers of Gaoyuan the Microraptor
The whole body of Gaoyuan the Microraptor was covered with feathers, including the head, forelimbs, hindlimbs, and tail, and even its feet had feathers. Researchers compared the shape and density of the melanosomes (pigment cells) preserved in the feather impressions of Microraptor with the database of melanosomes in modern birds, and found that the feathers of Microraptor were mainly black, with occasional bright blue. Based on this scientific evidence, we restored its coloration.
The Forelimbs of Gaoyuan the Microraptor
Gaoyuan the Microraptor possessed primary and secondary feathers on its forelimbs, and the feathers were asymmetrical, which is an essential condition for flight.
The Hindlimbs of Gaoyuan the Microraptor
Microraptor was a four-winged dinosaur, meaning they had wings on both their forelimbs and hindlimbs. From the restored model Gaoyuan the Microraptor, we can see that there are flight feathers on its thighs, calves, and feet. In addition, its hindlimbs had the iconic sickle-shaped second toe of dromaeosaurid dinosaurs, which was one of its effective hunting tools.
The Flying Secret of Gaoyuan the Microraptor
The flight mode of Gaoyuan the Microraptor was very similar to the current biplane. When flying, it would bend its hind limbs forward and fold them under its torso, forming upper and lower double-level wings with its limbs. It was not a skillful flyer, and gravity was still the primary energy source for its flight, so it was better at gliding.
Learn while Play
Subscribe to PNSO.Official YouTube channel. Get to know Gaoyuan the Microraptor with ZHAO Chuang in the playlist of PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models-Get to Know Dinosaurs. Learn to draw Gaoyuan the Microraptor with ZHAO Chuang in the playlist of PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models-Learn to Draw Dinosaurs.
