Fauna
Species

Sciurumimus albersdoerferi

Sciurumimus albersdoerferi

Sciurumimus is recognized from an exceptionally preserved juvenile skeleton recovered from Bavarian limestone, complete with filamentous, down-like plumage across its tail and underbelly. This plumaged tail inspired its generic name, which translates to 'squirrel mimic.' In life, this small, fleet-footed carnivore patrolled coastal scrub and the arid margins of Late Jurassic island lagoons.

FeatheredCarnivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySmall lizards, Insects, Early mammals
Predators
  • Larger theropods
  • Basal crocodyliforms
  • Large pterosaurs
ThreatsExtinct; faced predation by larger contemporary carnivores
HabitatsLate Jurassic island scrublands and coastal lagoon margins
Life spanUnknown in the fossil record
  1. FamilyMegalosauroidea
  2. SpeciesSciurumimus albersdoerferi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Extinct prehistoric species known only from Late Jurassic fossils.
Responsible observation
  • Museum Viewing: Examine high-resolution UV imaging exhibits to observe preserved filament traces.
  • Fossil Etiquette: Do not touch original fossil slabs or museum vitrines during observation.
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