Datanglong

Say it like this: “dah-tang-long”

Datanglong guangxiensis

Datanglong ate meat and walked on two legs. It lived in the Early Cretaceous. Bones have been found in China.

Quiz me on Datanglong

When: Early Cretaceous (Aptian) · roughly 121.4 to 113.2 million years ago
Named in: 2014 · Mo, J.; Zhou, F.; Li, G.; Huang, Z.; Cao, C.
Hip height: Not established
Length: 8–9 m · 26–30 ft
Weight: Not established
Found in: China · Xinlong
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: sharp-clawed runner · Theropod
Family branch: Avetheropoda

The story in short

Datanglong was formally named in 2014 by J. Mo and colleagues. The name means “datang dragon.”

It lived in the Early Cretaceous (Aptian), roughly 121.4 to 113.2 million years ago. Finds come from China, including the Xinlong Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

Published estimates put Datanglong at a length near 8–9 m.

On the family tree it sits in Avetheropoda, among the theropod dinosaurs.

Close relatives

Aorun

Aorun zhaoi

Middle Jurassic (Callovian) · roughly 165.3 to 161.5 million years ago

Chilantaisaurus

Chilantaisaurus tashuikouensis

Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian) · roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago

Gualicho

Gualicho shinyae

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian · Turonian) · roughly 100.5 to 89.8 million years ago