Cretaceous
Sinosauropteryx
Sinosauropteryx prima
The catalogue presents Sinosauropteryx as a carnivore member of Compsognathidae that lived during the Cretaceous, between 125.0–122.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 1.0–1.3 m in length and 0.5–1.0 kg in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.
Evidence-backed summary
For Sinosauropteryx, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Ji and Ji (1996).
The PBDB places it in Sinosauropterygidae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Compsognathidae.
- PBDB · taxon.parent
- Compsognathidae
In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range runs from the Barremian to the Aptian.
The PBDB catalogues 2 occurrences, with material from the Yixian Formation (2). Provenance: China.
The catalogue records the holotype as NIGP 127586 and the type locality as “Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China”.
- NIGP 127586
- Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China
The catalogue's reference measurements are 1.0–1.3 m in length and 0.5–1.0 kg in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.
- 1.0-1.3 m
- 0.5-1.0 kg
The record gathers 23 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.
Where it lived
Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.
Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.
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
- 1.0–1.3 m
- Weight
- 0.5–1.0 kg
- Period
- Cretaceous
- Time range
- 125.0–122.0 Ma
Discovery Information
- First Discovery
- 1996
- Described by
- Ji Qiang & Ji Shu-An
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Saurischia
- Family
- Compsognathidae
- Genus
- Sinosauropteryx
- Species
- S. prima
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
- NIGP 127586
- Type locality
- Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China