Microraptor — artistic reconstruction

Cretaceous

Microraptor

Microraptor gui

The catalogue presents Microraptor as a carnivore member of Dromaeosauridae that lived during the Cretaceous, between 125.0–120.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 0.77–0.83 m in length and 0.5–1.0 kg in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning, China. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.

Carnivore125.0–120.0 MaDromaeosauridae

Evidence-backed summary

For Microraptor, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Xu et al. (2000).

The PBDB places it in Microraptorinae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Dromaeosauridae.

In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range is the Aptian.

The PBDB catalogues 1 occurrence, with material from the Jiufotang Formation (1). Provenance: China.

The catalogue records the holotype as IVPP V 13352 and the type locality as “Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning, China”.

  • IVPP V 13352
  • Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning, China

The catalogue's reference measurements are 0.77–0.83 m in length and 0.5–1.0 kg in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.

  • 0.77-0.83 m
  • 0.5-1.0 kg

The record gathers 30 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.

Records compiled on 2026-08-08

Where it lived

Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.

Present-day map1 PBDB
Jiufotang
PBDB occurrences
Map at the time · ~115 Ma1 PBDB
Jiufotang
PBDB occurrences
Present mean latitude41.4° N
Reconstructed mean latitude40.4° N

Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.

Paleobiology Database · GPlates · CC BY 4.0

Artistic 3D reconstruction

There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.

Physical Specifications

Length
0.77–0.83 m
Weight
0.5–1.0 kg
Period
Cretaceous
Time range
125.0–120.0 Ma

Discovery Information

First Discovery
2000
Described by
Xu Xing

Taxonomic Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Saurischia
Family
Dromaeosauridae
Genus
Microraptor
Species
M. gui

Paleobiology Database · txn:68238

Data status

Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.

Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.

Type specimen
IVPP V 13352
Type locality
Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning, China