Mei long

Mei long

Period

Cretaceous

Location

China

Length

53 cm (juvenile)

Weight

3.6 kg

Diet

Carnivore

Category

Dinosaurs - Ornithopods

Family

Troodontidae

About Mei long

Mei long

Overview

Mei long, meaning "sleeping dragon" in Chinese, is one of the most adorable dinosaur fossils ever discovered! Found in a curled-up sleeping position, this tiny feathered dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago, gives us a precious glimpse into how dinosaurs actually behaved—they slept just like birds and cats do today!

Taxonomy & Classification

  • Clade: Theropoda
  • Family: Troodontidae
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Locomotion: Bipedal

Mei was a troodontid—related to some of the smartest dinosaurs!

Physical Characteristics

Tiny and Cute

  • Length: Only 53 cm (21 inches)—the known fossil is a juvenile
  • Weight: About 3.6 kg (8 lbs)
  • Height: About 20 cm (8 inches)
  • Build: Small, lightweight, feathered

Body Features

  • Covered in feathers for warmth
  • Large eyes for hunting (possibly at night)
  • Long legs for running
  • Sharp claws on hands and feet
  • Long tail for balance

The Famous Sleeping Pose

Curled Up Like a Bird!

The fossil was found in an amazing position:

  • Head tucked under arm
  • Tail wrapped around body
  • Legs folded beneath
  • Exactly like sleeping birds today!
  • Preserved in volcanic ash

Why This Matters

  • Proves dinosaurs slept like birds
  • Shows feathers helped keep warm while sleeping
  • Suggests bird behaviors evolved in dinosaurs
  • One of the best behavior fossils ever found!

How Did It Die?

Tragedy at Rest

Scientists believe:

  • Mei was sleeping peacefully
  • A volcanic eruption occurred
  • Hot ash and gas killed it instantly
  • The pose was preserved perfectly
  • Like a dinosaur version of Pompeii!

The Name "Sleeping Dragon"

Perfect Name

  • "Mei" (美) = beautiful/sleeping
  • "Long" (龙) = dragon
  • Named by Xu Xing and Mark Norell in 2004
  • Honors the sleeping pose
  • One of the most poetic dinosaur names

Hunting & Diet

Tiny Night Hunter?

Mei likely hunted:

  • Insects and small invertebrates
  • Small lizards and mammals
  • Baby dinosaurs perhaps
  • Eggs when available

Hunting Adaptations

  • Large eyes = possibly nocturnal
  • Great hearing (large ear regions in skull)
  • Quick reflexes for catching prey
  • Sharp claws for grabbing food

Feathers & Warmth

Built-In Blanket

Mei's feathers served multiple purposes:

  • Insulation during cold nights
  • Display for attracting mates
  • Camouflage while hunting
  • The sleeping pose maximized warmth!

Cretaceous China

The Yixian Formation

Mei lived in a remarkable ecosystem:

  • Volcanic lakes and forests
  • Alongside feathered dinosaurs like Sinornithosaurus
  • With early birds like Confuciusornis
  • And flying pterosaurs
  • One of the best-preserved Cretaceous ecosystems!

Dinosaur-Bird Connection

Mei helps prove:

  • Troodontids were bird-like dinosaurs
  • They had bird-like sleeping behavior
  • Feathers evolved before flight
  • Birds inherited sleeping poses from dinosaurs!

Discovery

A Perfect Fossil

  • Found in Liaoning Province, China
  • Discovered in 2004
  • Nearly complete skeleton
  • Soft tissue impressions preserved
  • One of China's most famous dinosaur discoveries

Cool Facts

  • Mei was caught sleeping forever by a volcanic disaster
  • Its pose is identical to sleeping birds today!
  • The name literally means "sleeping dragon"
  • Probably the most adorable dinosaur fossil ever found
  • Had huge eyes suggesting it may have hunted at night
  • Was about the size of a duck
  • Proves dinosaurs slept with heads tucked like birds
  • Multiple specimens have been found in similar poses!

Mei long is a reminder that dinosaurs weren't just fierce giants—some were small, feathered, and curled up to sleep just like the birds outside your window today!