FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Fossils of Yulong mini from 66-72 million years ago were excavated from the Qiupa Formation located in the Henan Province in China. This chicken-sized oviraptorid theropod that belonged to the Late Cretaceous epoch is the sole member of the Yulong genus. In 2013, a team of professional researchers like Junchang Lü, Li Xu, Songhai Jia, Xingliao Zhang, Hanyong Pu, and Philip J. Currie first named the specimen. The dinosaur genus was named 'Yulong' that came from the amalgamation of the Chinese 'Yu' and the suffix 'long'. Some of these researchers believe that this Chinese dinosaur had some body feathers, although no traces of feathers could be found embedded in the fossil remains. However, the species was also considered to be one of those sedentary non-avian dinosaurs. Many contradictory observations are persistent due to the lack of sufficient data. However, rather than hunting on other animals or dinosaurs, the Yulong was easy prey for larger predatory dinosaurs like the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex due to its minuscule size.
If you intend to learn some fun facts about the oviraptorid species of China, then keep indulging. Make sure to read through some more of these amazing facts about the Halszkaraptor and Serikornis.
The best way to pronounce the name is by breaking it up into the short and simple disyllabic 'Yu-long'.
These dinosaurs were oviraptorid theropods from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in China.
Although the geological period of the Qiupa Formation cannot be stated with accuracy, it is believed that the existence of the Yulong mini-dates back to the Late Cretaceous era. Fossil remains of other dinosaurs such as the dromaeosaurid name Luanchuanraptor, alvarezasurid Qiupanykus, and ornithomimid identified as Qiupalong has been retrieved from the site. Some other unidentified dinosaur specimens had also been extracted from the site.
Approximately 65 million years ago, every species of non-avian dinosaurs ceased to exist. Perhaps, the Yulong also perished around the same time.
The fossil remains of Yulong mini were unearthed from a site near the Qiupa town, situated in Luanchuan County in the Henan Province of central China.
Since the Yulong mini belongs to the Oviraptoridae family, it is believed to share a terrestrial ecosystem.
Researchers are still unaware of the social behavior of the Yulong mini. It is unknown whether the dinosaur stayed aloof or dwelled in flocks for safety.
The exact lifespan of the Yulong cannot be mentioned, but it can be said that these dinosaurs were short-lived and often perished due to the presence of atrocious predators.
The Yulong mini engaged in oviparous breeding. Like the birds, the female dinosaurs lay eggs after mating with their partners during the breeding season. Females incubate the eggs until the young hatches. Dinosaur parents usually do not engage in nurturing or feeding their offspring. Information about the breeding habits, courtship rituals, and gestation period of the species is currently unavailable.
As the name describes, the Yulong mini exhibited a tiny size. Junchang Lü mentioned that the species had the appearance of a chicken, but it also possessed a tail. It had a longer thigh bone when compared to the ilium. Some researchers believe that it had feathers, too, but there's no fossilized evidence to prove this. Instead of a reptile-like appearance, the Yulong supposedly resembled a bird just like the Eosinopteryx brevipenna of China (from the Late Jurassic era).
Five specimens were discovered from the excavation site, but only one was almost complete and in its best state. Hence, the number of bones that constructed the entire skeleton couldn't be determined.
Communication among the Yulong mini was perhaps similar to the other dinosaurs. Interactions were mostly via sounds and calls.
An average Yulong size went up to just 0.8-1.6 ft (25-50 cm) in length. It is almost minuscule when contrasted with the immense size of the Gigantoraptor measuring 26 ft (8 m) in length and 11.5 ft (3.5 m) in height.
Since the Yulong was pretty lightweight, one can safely conclude that it was thrifty in its movements. However, the speed range of the species is yet to be deciphered.
The Yulong mini is so small that it is comparable to the size of an average chicken. Therefore, it can be inferred that these dinosaurs did not possess much weight.
Both male and female dinosaurs lack special designations.
In general, baby dinosaurs have no specific names, but you can surely call them hatchlings since these babies hatch from eggs.
Not much is known about the Yulong diet. Some believe that the dinosaur was omnivorous since its jaw structure was sturdy enough to devour meat. Some authors are of the view that since the hindlimbs of the oviraptorids remain unaffected by growth, these dinosaurs led a sedentary life and perhaps were herbivorous.
It is very difficult to believe that these tiny dinosaurs could be aggressive, but there's no factual evidence to make conclusive statements about their behavior. However, they were mostly at the receiving end owing to their mini size, as many other deadly dinosaurs feasted on the Yulong.
Till now, the Yulong mini is considered to be one of the smallest dinosaur species that roamed the earth million years ago.
The Chinese 'Yu' or '豫' is actually an abbreviation used for the Henan Province, whereas, the suffix 'long' stands for 'dragon'. The suffix was commonly used for naming Chinese dinosaurs. The term 'mini' has been attributed because of the small size of these dinosaurs.
The Yulong genus is composed of five successive specimens, namely HGM 41HIII-0107, HGM 41HIII-0108, HGM 41HIII-0109, HGM 41HIII-0110, and HGM 41HIII-0111. HGM 41HIII-0107 constitutes a very well-preserved complete skeletal framework with lower jaws and a skull. The Henan Geological Museum has preserved it. The HGM 41HIII-0108 comes only with the skull, and the jaws are absent. Both the lower jaws and skull are present in the partial skeleton that makes up HGM 41HIII-0109. HGM 41HIII-0110 is composed of the lower jaws, a few pieces of the neck vertebrae, and an incomplete skull. Lastly, HGM 41HIII-0111 only has the left ilium. Additionally, one well-preserved embryo specimen constitutes HGM 41HIII-0301. It was part of a clutch comprising 26 eggs.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Buriolestes facts, and Heterodontosaurus facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable winged dinosaurs coloring pages.
Second image is by Junchang Lü, Laiping Yi, Hui Zhong, Xuefang Wei
We've been unable to source an image of Yulong and have used an image of theropod instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Yulong, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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