Mesozoic Earth - Archaeopteryx defending

Location Germany 150 million years ago Mean atmospheric O₂ 130% of modern level Mean atmospheric CO₂ 7x pre-industrial level Mean temperature 3°C above modern level		Geologic Time Scale Era: Mesozoic Period: Jurassic Epoch: Late Age: Kimmeridgian

	Archaeopteryx defending A feathered dinosaur theropod of the genus Archaeopteryx protects its territory 150 million years ago in what is today southern Germany. About the size of a modern European Magpie, Archaeopteryx is the earliest known example of a fully feathered dinosaur. Despite its resemblance to birds, Archaeopteryx has more in common with other dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurs and troodontids, especially in regard to its clawed arms and tiny teeth. The highly evolved feathers may have permitted Archaeopteryx to glide short distances, however it's unlikely Archaeopteryx could fly like a bird. During the Late Jurassic Europe was a dry, tropical archipelago. In this image Archaeopteryx is depicted near the shore of the Tethys Sea.