Mei Facts
Pronunciation: MAY
Name meaning: Beautiful one
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.15m |
| Length | 0.53m |
| Weight | 600 g |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | China |
Mei was a remarkable small theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 126 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period in what is now northeastern China. This tiny predator measured just 53 centimetres long and weighed only about 600 grams, making it one of the smallest dinosaurs ever discovered. Despite its diminutive size, Mei was a sophisticated hunter with large eyes and a relatively large brain, typical characteristics of its lineage.
The most extraordinary aspect of Mei is how it was preserved. The single known fossil specimen was found in a remarkable sleeping position, with its head tucked under one arm and its tail curled around its body - exactly like modern birds sleep today. This unprecedented preservation occurred when the dinosaur was likely overcome by volcanic gases and ash, capturing it in its final moments of rest.
As a theropod, Mei was built for an active lifestyle. It had long, slender legs adapted for running and pursuing small prey such as insects, early mammals, and possibly small lizards. Its large eyes suggest it may have been active during dawn and dusk hours when many small creatures would have been moving about. The bird-like sleeping posture provides compelling evidence for the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Mei lived in the lush forests of Early Cretaceous China, sharing its environment with many other feathered dinosaurs. The excellent preservation conditions in this region have provided palaeontologists with unprecedented insights into dinosaur behaviour and daily life.
What made Mei distinctive?
Mei was distinguished by its extremely small size at just 53 centimetres long, proportionally large eyes for night or twilight hunting, and long slender legs built for speed. Its most famous feature is the remarkable preservation showing it in a bird-like sleeping position with its head tucked under one arm.
Behaviour
Mei exhibited bird-like sleeping behaviour, tucking its head under one arm whilst resting, as dramatically preserved in the fossil. Its large eyes suggest it was likely most active during twilight hours, and its build indicates it was an agile runner capable of pursuing small, quick prey through dense forest undergrowth.
Mei FAQ
What did Mei eat?
Mei was a carnivore that likely hunted small prey including insects, early mammals, small lizards, and possibly young birds. Its small size and agile build made it perfectly suited for catching quick, tiny creatures in the dense forests of
Early Cretaceous China.
How big was Mei?
Mei was remarkably small, measuring just 53 centimetres long and standing about 15 centimetres tall at the hip. It weighed approximately 600 grams, making it lighter than most modern house cats and one of the smallest dinosaurs ever discovered.
When did Mei live?
Mei lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, approximately 126 million years ago. This was a time when flowering plants were beginning to diversify and many feathered dinosaurs roamed the forests of what is now China.
Where was Mei found?
Mei was discovered in Liaoning Province, northeastern China, in rock formations famous for their exceptional fossil preservation. This region has yielded many important feathered dinosaur discoveries due to fine volcanic ash that rapidly buried and preserved creatures in remarkable detail.
How do you pronounce Mei?
Mei is pronounced 'MAY', like the month of May. It's a simple, single-syllable name that comes from Mandarin Chinese.
What does Mei mean?
Mei means 'beautiful one' in Mandarin Chinese. This name was chosen by the scientists who discovered it because of the graceful, peaceful sleeping position in which the fossil was preserved.
How fast could Mei run?
Whilst Mei's exact running speed is unknown, its long, slender legs and lightweight build suggest it was quite fast relative to its size. It likely relied on quick bursts of speed to catch small prey and escape from larger predators.
What type of dinosaur was Mei?
Mei was a theropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the Troodontidae family. Theropods were typically carnivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs, and Mei represents one of the smallest members of this diverse group.
Was Mei related to birds?
Yes, Mei was closely related to birds. As a theropod, particularly one from the troodontid family, Mei was part of the dinosaur lineage that gave rise to modern birds. The famous sleeping pose preserved in its fossil - with head tucked under one arm - is identical to how birds sleep today.
How many Mei fossils have been found?
Only one specimen of Mei has been discovered so far. This single, beautifully preserved fossil was found in 2004 and remains the only known example of this species, making it an extremely rare and precious scientific discovery.
