Hexing Facts
Pronunciation: HEX-ing
Name meaning: Named after the Beijing Hexing Group and 'qingyi' meaning green warrior
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 1.2m |
| Length | 3m |
| Weight | 25 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | China |
Hexing was a fascinating early theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 126 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period in what is now northeastern China. This relatively small dinosaur represents one of the earliest known ornithomimosaurs, providing crucial insights into the evolution of these ostrich-like dinosaurs.
Standing about 1.2 metres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 3 metres in length, Hexing was a lightly built, bipedal predator with long, powerful legs adapted for swift movement across the prehistoric landscape. Its skeletal structure shows the characteristic features that would later become more pronounced in advanced ornithomimosaurs, including elongated limbs and a streamlined body shape.
As an early ornithomimosaur, Hexing likely had an omnivorous diet, feeding on a variety of small animals, insects, plants, and possibly eggs. Its primitive position in the ornithomimosaur family tree suggests it retained more generalised feeding adaptations compared to its later, more specialised relatives who developed toothless beaks.
The discovery of Hexing in the famous Jehol Group formations of China, known for their exceptional fossil preservation, has helped palaeontologists better understand the early evolution and diversification of ornithomimosaurian theropods during the Cretaceous period.
What made Hexing distinctive?
Hexing possessed the characteristic long legs and lightweight build typical of early ornithomimosaurs, but retained more primitive features than its later relatives. Its skeletal proportions show the beginning of the streamlined body plan that would become fully developed in later ostrich-like dinosaurs.
Behaviour
Hexing was likely a swift runner, using its long legs to escape predators and pursue prey across the Early Cretaceous landscapes of China. As an omnivore, it probably spent time both hunting small animals and foraging for plant material, eggs, and insects.
Discovery
Hexing was first described by Qiu et al. in 2019. The original fossils were discovered at Jehol Group, Liaoning Province, northeastern China.
Hexing FAQ
What did Hexing eat?
Hexing was an omnivore, meaning it ate both plants and animals. Its diet likely included small animals, insects, plant material, and possibly eggs. As an early ornithomimosaur, it had more generalised feeding habits compared to its later, more specialised relatives.
How big was Hexing?
Hexing stood approximately 1.2 metres tall at the hip and measured about 3 metres in total length. It weighed roughly 25 kilograms, making it a relatively small, lightly built theropod dinosaur.
When did Hexing live?
Hexing lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125.77 million years ago. This places it in a crucial time period for understanding the early evolution of ornithomimosaurian dinosaurs.
Where was Hexing found?
Hexing fossils were discovered in the Jehol Group formations of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. This region is famous for its exceptional preservation of Cretaceous fossils, including many feathered dinosaurs and early birds.
How do you pronounce Hexing?
Hexing is pronounced 'HEX-ing', with emphasis on the first syllable. The name honours the Beijing Hexing Group.
What does Hexing mean?
The genus name Hexing honours the Beijing Hexing Group, whilst the species name 'qingyi' means 'green warrior' in Chinese, creating a name that reflects both its discovery sponsors and Chinese heritage.
How fast could Hexing run?
Whilst the exact speed of Hexing is unknown, its long legs and lightweight build suggest it was a capable runner, likely able to move swiftly across the landscape to escape predators and pursue prey.
What type of dinosaur was Hexing?
Hexing was a theropod dinosaur, specifically one of the earliest known ornithomimosaurs. These dinosaurs are often called 'ostrich-like' due to their long legs and streamlined build, though Hexing retained more primitive features than later members of this group.
Was Hexing related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Hexing was part of the group that includes the ancestors of modern birds. Ornithomimosaurs like Hexing were relatively close to the bird lineage, though they were not direct ancestors of birds.
How many Hexing fossils have been found?
Hexing is known from a single species, Hexing qingyi, described from fossils found in the Jehol Group of China. As a relatively recent discovery from 2019, it represents an important but limited fossil record that provides crucial insights into early ornithomimosaur evolution.
