Archaeopteryx (Greek for "ancient wing"); pronounced are-kee-OP-ter-ix
Habitat:
Forests and lakes of Western Europe
Historical Period:
Late Jurassic (150 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 12 inches long and 1 pound
Diet:
Insects
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Small size; three claws on each wing; bird-shaped wishbone
, and (most unbirdlike of all) its three claws jutting out from the middle of each wing. It's not even certain that Archaeopteryx could fly for extended periods of time, though it was almost surely capable of short jaunts. (One specimen of Archaeopteryx was recently assigned to its own genus, Wellnhoferia, on the basis of small anatomical differences, though not all paleontologists are convinced.)
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Archaeopteryx (Luis Rey/www.luisrey.ndtilda.co.uk)
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Bob Strauss is a freelance writer and book author; one of his specialties is explaining scientific concepts and discoveries to both a lay and professional audience.
Bob Strauss is the author of two best-selling question-and-answer books that range across the expanse of science, biology, history and culture: The Big Book of What, How and Why (Main Street, 2005) and Who Knew? Hundreds & Hundreds of Questions & Answers for Curious Minds (Sterling Innovation, 2007).