Table of Contents
Introduction 6
Sinosauropteryx 28
An Early Cretaceous theropod. The discovery of a feathered specimen in 1996 forever changed our picture of the dinosaurs.
Anchiornis 42
A Middle to Late Jurassic dinosaur whose discovery gave insights into an evolutionary bridge between the birds and the dinosaurs.
Caudipteryx 56
Feathered, but flightless: an Early Cretaceous theropod dinosaur covered with down-like feathers.
Microraptor 70
Aerodynamic dinosaurs: this Early Cretaceous theropod had four wings and long feathers to assist in gliding.
Archaeopteryx 84
The earliest bird? A Late Jurassic theropod with flight feathers.
Confuciusornis 98
The Early Cretaceous bird, found in China, was among the first whose colours were determined
Edmontosaurus 114
A Late Cretaceous hadrosaurid dinosaur that was especially Common in North America.
Eomaia 126
A small Early Cretaceous mammal with fur.
Saltasaurus 140
This Late Cretaceous sauropod was the first to show fossilized evidence of armour-plated skin.
Psittacosaurus 154
This Early Cretaceous ceratopsian dinosaur and its nests are so abundant in the fossil record that we can visualize it from infancy through to adulthood.
Kulindadromeus 168
A Middle to Late Jurassic dinosaur whose skin was covered with both protofeathers and scales, giving insights into the evolution of feathers.
Stenopterygius 178
An Early Jurassic ichthyosaur that was cleverly countershaded to camouflage itself from its prey.
Borealopelta 192
An Early Cretaceous ankylosaur with red armour plates.
Anurognathus 206
A Middle to Late Jurassic pterosaur with an unusually short tail that allowed greater manoeuvrability when hunting.
Tupandactylus 220
An Early Cretaceous pterodactlyoid pterosaur with a distinctive and colourful head crest.
Further Reading 234
Index 236
Illustration Credits 239
