Wulatelong Facts
Pronunciation: WOO-lah-teh-long
Name meaning: Wulateqi Dragon
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 0.7m |
| Length | 1.5m |
| Weight | 20 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | China |
Wulatelong was a small theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 83.6 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Inner Mongolia, northern China. This fascinating creature belonged to a group of bird-like dinosaurs known for their distinctive beaked skulls and often elaborate crests, though Wulatelong itself appears to have had a relatively simple head structure.
Standing about 70 centimetres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 1.5 metres in length, Wulatelong was a compact, bipedal dinosaur that would have weighed around 20 kilograms. Like other members of its family, it possessed long, powerful legs built for running, and relatively long arms ending in clawed hands. Its body was likely covered in feathers, which would have provided insulation and possibly served in display behaviours.
As an omnivore, Wulatelong would have had a varied diet consisting of plants, fruits, seeds, small animals, and possibly eggs. Its beak-like jaws were well-suited for this mixed feeding strategy, allowing it to crop vegetation and capture small prey with equal effectiveness. The creature's relatively large eyes suggest it may have been active during twilight hours or had keen eyesight for spotting food and potential threats.
Wulatelong represents an important piece in understanding the evolution of bird-like theropods in Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Its discovery has helped palaeontologists better understand the diversity and distribution of these remarkable dinosaurs that lived alongside some of the last great dinosaur communities before the mass extinction event.
What made Wulatelong distinctive?
Wulatelong had a relatively simple, uncrested skull compared to many of its relatives, with a sharp, toothless beak. It possessed long, sturdy legs built for running and relatively large eye sockets, suggesting keen eyesight.
Behaviour
Wulatelong likely lived in small groups and was an active forager, using its keen eyesight to locate food ranging from plants to small animals. Its build suggests it was a swift runner, capable of quickly escaping from larger predators in its environment.
Discovery
Wulatelong was first described by Xu Xing and colleagues in 2013. The original fossils were discovered at Wulansuhai Formation, Bayan Mandahu, Inner Mongolia, China.
Wulatelong FAQ
What did Wulatelong eat?
Wulatelong was an omnivore with a varied diet that included plants, fruits, seeds, small animals, and possibly eggs. Its beak-like jaws were perfectly adapted for this mixed feeding strategy, allowing it to both crop vegetation and capture small prey effectively.
How big was Wulatelong?
Wulatelong was a relatively small dinosaur, standing about 70 centimetres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 1.5 metres in total length. It weighed approximately 20 kilograms, making it about the size of a large dog.
When did Wulatelong live?
Wulatelong lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This was towards the end of the age of dinosaurs, about 17 million years before the mass extinction event that ended the Mesozoic Era.
Where was Wulatelong found?
Wulatelong fossils were discovered in the Wulansuhai Formation at Bayan Mandahu in the Linhe District of Inner Mongolia, northern China. This area is part of the broader Gobi Desert region, famous for its rich dinosaur fossil deposits.
How do you pronounce Wulatelong?
Wulatelong is pronounced 'WOO-lah-teh-long'. The name combines elements referring to the Wulateqi area where it was discovered with the Chinese word for dragon.
What does Wulatelong mean?
Wulatelong means 'Wulateqi Dragon', named after the Wulateqi area in Inner Mongolia where the fossils were discovered. The species name 'gobiensis' refers to the Gobi Desert region where it lived.
How fast could Wulatelong run?
The exact running speed of Wulatelong is unknown, but its long, powerful leg bones suggest it was built for swift movement. As a small theropod living alongside large predators, speed would have been crucial for its survival.
What type of dinosaur was Wulatelong?
Wulatelong was a theropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the Oviraptoridae family. It was a bird-like dinosaur with feathers, a beak instead of teeth, and many features that show the close evolutionary relationship between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Was Wulatelong related to birds?
Yes, Wulatelong was closely related to modern birds. As a theropod dinosaur, it shared many bird-like features including feathers, a beak, and hollow bones. Wulatelong represents one of the groups of dinosaurs from which birds eventually evolved.
How many Wulatelong fossils have been found?
Wulatelong is known from limited fossil material, which is typical for many dinosaur species. The exact number of specimens is not widely publicised, but like many oviraptorid discoveries, it's likely based on relatively few but scientifically significant remains that allowed researchers to identify it as a new species.
