Dilong

Name: Dilong

Pronounced: die-long

Meaning: Emperor dragon

Type: Small Theropod

Length: 2M

Diet: Carnivore

Period: Barremian Cretaceous

Years: 130 - 125 million years ago

Location: China

Description: Dilong is a genus of small, feathered theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, about 125-120 million years ago. It was a member of the group of dinosaurs called the tyrannosauroids, which includes some of the largest and most formidable predatory dinosaurs ever to have lived. Dilong was a small, agile dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 6-8 feet and a weight of up to 100-200 pounds. It had a long, slender head with sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, as well as long, slender legs and a long, whip-like tail. Its body was covered in a coat of feathers, which likely provided insulation and may have been used for display. Dilong is known from a number of well-preserved fossil specimens, including several complete skeletons and skulls, which have helped paleontologists learn more about the anatomy and behavior of this dinosaur. It is known from China, and is named after the Chinese words 'di,' meaning 'emperor,' and 'long,' meaning 'dragon,' in reference to the close relationship between tyrannosauroids and other large, predatory dinosaurs. Dilong was a predatory dinosaur, feeding on a variety of prey including other dinosaurs, reptiles, and possibly even early mammals. It is considered a primitive tyrannosauroid, and is thought to be closely related to other members of this group such as Tyrannosaurus and Albertosaurus. Dilong is important because it is one of the earliest known tyrannosauroids, and provides insight into the early evolution and diversity of this group of dinosaurs. It is also significant because it is one of the earliest known dinosaurs to have had feathers, providing important evidence for the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs.

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