Protarchaeopteryx (Before ancient wing) is a small Asian dinosaur. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
Protarchaeopteryx is a small theropod dinosaur from the early Cretaceous, specifically a basal member of the Oviraptorosaur family, a group of dinosaurs known for their short skulls and long, slender hands. It was a comparatively small dinosaur, only reaching 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and comparable in size to a modern turkey. It was one of the first dinosaurs discovered known to have feathers, sporting well-developed, vaned feathers on its tail and arms. Only one known specimen has been uncovered, in the Yixian Formation in China.
Although closely related to carnivorous dinosaurs such as Velociraptor, oviraptorosaurs like Protarchaeopteryx were potentially omnivorous. Due to limited finds, little is known about how Protarchaeopteryx would have behaved. It can be assumed that its feathers, which were symmetrical in shape, were not suited for flight and may instead have been used for display. Some scientists have proposed that Protarchaeopteryx may have lived in trees, using its arm-feathers as a parachute.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Protarchaeopteryx is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 1 star.
Biome[]
Protarchaeopteryx is a Wetlands animal. Like all extinct wetlands animal, it requires a Misty Spring in its exhibit in order to be completely comfortable.
Diet[]
Protarchaeopteryx is carnivorous, only eating meat and insects.
Behavior[]
Protarchaeoptyerx are highly agressive, both to potential prey animals and to their own kind. Before mating, females and males will often fight, which can lead to one of the intended mates being unexpectedly killed. Young may also fight with their parents after growing to adulthood.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| This groundbreaking dinosaur was unknown until just recently: It was first unearthed in the mid-1990s. The feathered Protarchaeopteryx looked more like a bird than a dinosaur. In fact, it is considered by some scientists to be a missing link in the evolution between dinosaurs and birds. Although Protarchaeopteryx could not fly, its long legs suggest it could run very fast. Protarchaeopteryx means “ancient early wing,” a reference to this dino’s connection to birds. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Because the Protarchaeopteryx re-uses animations and sounds from the Secretary bird, it behaves more like a large bird than a non-avian dinosaur. This is most notable when the Protarchaeopteryx flies around in-game, even though the real animal was most likely flightless.
- Protarcheoptyerx is one of few animals in the Wetlands biome that cannot swim.
- The plumage of the male resembles a sculpture of Caudipteryx from a series of images licensed by Universal Images Group which was commonly used in dinosaur books and other scientific references at the time, particularly those published by Dorling Kindersley.
- There are several instances where the Protarchaeopteryx is confused with the more widely recognized Archaeopteryx. This can be seen in its Zoopedia entry (referencing its significance in the scientific understanding of non-avian dinosaurs and birds) and its uncoverable fossil being one of the most famous specimens of Archaeopteryx.
- In real life, Protarcheopteryx is thought to have been omnivorous, eating both meat from small animals and plant matter.