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In a rare and remarkable find, scientists have uncovered the remains of a tiny birdlike dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period curled up in a peaceful sleeping pose. This discovery suggests that the dinosaurs may have exhibited behaviors similar to modern birds.
The fossil, unearthed in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, revealed the near-complete skeleton of what researchers have identified as an alvarezsaurid, a small meat-eating dinosaur. The creature’s cozy posture, resembling that of a modern bird at rest, provided intriguing insights into the behavior of these ancient animals.
Named Jaculinykus yaruui, the dinosaur lived approximately 70 million years ago and measured just over 3 feet in length. The discovery sheds light on the sleeping behavior of non-avian relatives of early birds, suggesting that this behavior may have been more common among dinosaurs than previously thought.
The remarkable specimen, nearly intact and well-preserved, offers a rare glimpse into the behaviors of these prehistoric creatures. The scientists who made the discovery believe that sleepy little Jaculinykus yaruui provides important evidence that alvarezsaurids shared similarities with living birds, not only in their physical features but also in their behavioral traits.
This groundbreaking find underscores the fascinating evolutionary connections between modern birds and their ancient dinosaur relatives. For more intriguing science news and updates, visit CNN.com and create an account to access a wide range of news and newsletters.
