Gigantoraptor Dwarfed Other Birdlike Dinosaurs

An enormous feathered dinosaur has recently been unearthed from the plentiful fossil beds of northern China. Named Gigantoraptor erlianensis, the dinosaur grew to 26 feet in length and was easily 35 times heavier than its Oviraptor relatives (the image in the photo shows an Ornithomimosaur skeleton--another kind of bird-like dinosaur--fleeing an Albertosaurus).

By carefully studying the bones, scientists deduce Gigantoraptor reached this massive size through rapid growth rates.

The new skeleton is also more birdlike than other species in its parent group.