Caudipteryx (Tail feather) is a small Asian dinosaur. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
Caudipteryx is a small maniraptoran dinosaur roughly the size of a Common Peafowl. It was discovered in the Yixian Formation in China's Liaoning province and became notable as one of the earliest dinosaurs discovered that was known to have feathers. Whilst its body was covered in simple, down-like feathers, it possessed feathers more typical of those found in modern birds on its hands and tail tip, arranged in a wing-like fan. As Caudipteryx was flightless, it is likely it used these feathers for display purposes. Preserved pigment in certain fossils shows that it was likely covered in black plumage, with a banded pattern on its tail feathers.
Aside from its feathers, Caudipteryx possessed other bird-like features, including a beak with only a few teeth in its upper jaw. Its long legs suggest it was a swift runner, and it is believed to have been an omnivore. The discovery of Caudipteryx lead to great study over the relationship between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Caudipteryx is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. In Freeform mode, it is not adoptable until March 1st. It is featured in several of the game's scenarios.
Caudipteryx is a Rainforest animal, but requires a lot of fresh water in its enclosure, to represent the swampy regions it may have inhabited. They are social dinosaurs that live in groups of six and more. Although the game does not acknowledge this in the zookeeper's tips, Caudipteryx actually likes some elevation in its exhibit and also a Rock Cave shelter.
Despite the Williamsonia Tree being the Caudipteryx's favourite foliage, the Thouarsus Cycad Tree gives it the most suitability, and must be used to achieve 100% habitat suitability.
 Animal Facts
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| Not all dinosaurs are two-ton scaly beasts. The Caudipteryx is a three-foot-tall dinosaur that may be related both to the peacock and the Tyrannosaurus. With a name that means "tail feather," Caudipteryx may be the genetic link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Like its larger relations, Caudipteryx is a predator. Although small in size, its great speed allows it to capture prey much larger than itself. Because of the tough exoskeletons possessed by most of its prey, Caudipteryx has to consume gastroliths, or smooth stones, to aid in its digestion. In addition to its speed, the long sharp teeth found in the upper jaw of Caudipteryx's skull permit it to make deep slashing attacks. This theropod has above-average intelligence, which makes it an excellent hunter. Like many of the other small predators, Caudipteryx is a pack hunter, combining speed, intelligence, and very sharp teeth to make its kills. Unlike many other predators, Caudipteryx is covered in feathers, which can reach up to eight inches in length. The most distinctive of these make up a tail fan which looks much like that of a peacock or turkey. These feathers are symmetrical in shape, unlike those of flighted birds, so they are used only for insulation and decoration. Since close-range study of these fast and elusive animals is difficult, it is not known whether they are warm- or cold-blooded. But insulating feathers on these creatures is a strong argument that they are warm-blooded. Although flightless, Caudipteryx shares many characteristics with birds. The long legs end in claws which can be used for perching on low branches. These legs also allow Caudipteryx to wade in shallow water, searching for aquatic supplements to its carnivorous diet. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Caudipteryx is one of only four animals introduced in Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs that won't kill any other animals, the others being the Giant Tortoise, Apatosaurus and Lambeosaurus. These four can only kill staff members if they escape their exhibit.
- In-game, Caudipteryx is depicted as living in the Jurassic Period. In real life, it lived in the Early Cretaceous.