Prehistoric Dinosaur Can Make Itself Appear Flat To Avoid Predators

The scientists discovered that one prehistoric dinosaur, known as Psittacosaurus used countershading to make it appear flat and avoid predators. The dinosaur existed some 133 million years ago.

The study of this prehistoric dinosaur fossils was printed in the journal Current Biology. The researchers collaborated with an artist to come up with a 3D model of the dinosaur, according to BBC.

I will take two, please.
Accurate dino model based on skin, bone samples of Psittacosaurus:https://t.co/UxW3KwP2Ep pic.twitter.com/SXyNJPed3M

— Deoxy Ribonucleic (@c0nc0rdance) September 15, 2016

The fossils showed that the dinosaur had a light underside and darker on top. This is called counter-shading wherein it can make the dinosaur appear flat in certain lighting. This also suggests that the creature inhabited an environment with diffuse light like the forest.

Jakob Vinther, the co-author of the study from the University of Bristol, UK, stated that the camouflage pattern exhibited by the Psittacosaurus has been shown to function y counter-illuminating shadows on a body, thus making an animal appear optically flat to the eye of the beholder. He further described the creature as very cute and would be a great modern day pet.

In the study, the researchers reconstructed the Psittacosaurus' skin colors. They found that the microscopic structures in its fossils feathers were not bacteria, but were melanosomes, which were structures that contain color pigments in animal skin and feathers, according to IBTimes.

Dr. Vinther said they predicted that the psittacosaur lived in a forest. He further said that this demonstrates that fossil color patterns can give not only a better picture of what extinct animals looked like but can also give new clues about extinct ecologies and habitats.

Psittacosaurus existed between 123.2 and 100 million years ago in Asia. There were 11 species found in China, Siberia, Mongolia and possibly Thailand. It is known as the most species-rich dinosaur genus. It has a high skull and a robust beak, which is also referred to as parrot-like beak. This is why it is called Psittacosaurus meaning "parrot-lizard." The said dinosaur also had complex behaviors. It is active for a period of time during the day and night and also has the keen sense of smell and vision.