Sleeping Dinosaur Fossil Found in China

Adding to the increasing amount of science that shows that dinosaurs were birdlike, today it was announced that fossils have been discovered of a dinosaur in a sleeping position. The posture of the sleeping dinosaur is very similar to modern birds' sleeping postures.

www.hindustantimes.com...
www.chinadaily.com.cn...
www.sciam.com...

The two scientists said the specimen was preserved in a stereotypical sleeping or resting posture strikingly similar to that of modern birds, showing that this position might have evolved before they did.

It is the first such fossil to be found in a sleeping pose.

It was named it Mei Long, "soundly sleeping dragon".

Mei Long seems to have died with its hind limbs folded underneath it and its head tucked under one forelimb, just as birds roost, with their head under their wing.

The fact that Mei Long seems to have a sleeping habit similar to that of modern birds could mean that the two share a common ancestor not much older than the dinosaur itself, the authors said.

Awesome

Zip

EDIT:

The discovery strengthens the ties between dinosaurs and modern birds. �This specific heat-conserving pose that Mei long was found in provides support for the hypothesis that at least some nonavian dinosaurs, including this animal and its troodontid relatives, were warm-blooded as are today's birds,� Norell explains.

[edit on 16-10-2004 by Zipdot]

.
Science seems to be strengthening the link between dinosaurs and birds little by little. Amazing to think that dinos, especially the larger ones, as related to birds.

It is interesting to note how these theories have changed even in one generation. In my school days this was never even mentioned as a possibility. And meteor strikes contributing to extinction was considered a crackpot theory.

I also find it extaordinary, and somewhat poignant, that a dinosaur fossil could be found in this characteristic sleeping position. It makes me wonder how it died without being disturbed. Perhaps it died peacefully...
.