Archaeopteryx Skull
The amazing dinosaur Archaeopteryx is an early ancestor of modern birds, regarded by some as the first bird. Its name means “ancient wing.”
Size: 7 x 4 x 3.5"
Product Details
Additional Information
| Sizes | Giantmicrobes are based on actual microbes, cells, organisms and other critters, only 1,000,000 times actual size! Gigantic (GG) 16-24" XL (XL) 10-15" Original (PD) 5-8" Keychain (KC) 2-4" with clip |
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| Materials | Plush from all new materials. Stuffed with polyester fiber fill. Surface washable: sponge with water & soap, air dry. |
| Packaging | Each plush microbe includes a printed card with fun, educational and fascinating facts about the actual microbe or cell. |
| Safety | Every product meets or exceeds U.S. and European standards for safety. For ages 3 and up. |
All about Archaeopteryx Skull
Birds are living dinosaurs. This realization is one of the most amazing facts ever discovered by paleontologists. And the amazing dinosaur Archaeopteryx is an early ancestor of modern birds, regarded by some as the first bird. Its name means “ancient wing.” During the Jurassic period, when Archaeopteryx lived over 145 million years ago, it had a body full of feathers, long wings and tail feathers. These bird-like features combined with its large claws, toothed jaws and other obvious reptilian characteristics convinced many that this creature was indeed a link between modern birds and their dinosaur ancestors. While small in size, at only 12-inches long, this sensational animal had an enormous impact on science.
Archaeopteryx was discovered in Germany in 1859. The first specimen was disarticulated and incomplete. Yet this transitional fossil was perhaps the most famous fossil in the world since it linked reptiles and birds. There are now at least 11 specimens known, and several are well preserved. Since its discovery, we now know that feathers and other bird-like features were widespread among certain carnivorous dinosaurs.
Archaeopteryx was found only two years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. The discovery of Archaeopteryx fossils provided powerful support for Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, that organisms evolve over time. Thanks to the unearthing of Archaeopteryx fossils, we can now visit museums to view and to appreciate the oldest bird in the fossil record.