Microraptor

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Microraptor

ZooTek Phoenix

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Author: Moondawg

Keywords: extinct, dinosaurs

Date Released: Oct 17, 2008

Current MicroraptorMD_2008.ztd dated 16 October 2008

File Size: 970.21k

Compatibility: DD or CC

Description: Microraptor ("small thief") is a genus of small, dromaeosaurid dinosaurs. About two dozen well-preserved fossil specimens have been recovered from Liaoning, China.
Microraptor had two sets of wings, on both its fore- and hind legs. The long feathers on the legs of Microraptor were true flight feathers as seen in modern birds, with asymmetrical vanes on the arm, leg, and tail feathers. As in bird wings, Microraptor had both primary (anchored to the hand) and secondary (anchored to the arm) flight feathers. This standard wing pattern was mirrored on the hind legs, with flight feathers anchored to the upper foot bones as well as the upper and lower leg. It had been proposed by Chinese scientists that the animal glided, and probably lived in trees, pointing to the fact that wings anchored to the feet of Microraptor would have hindered their ability to run on the ground, and suggest that all primitive dromaeosaurids may have been arboreal
Sankar Chatterjee determined in 2005 that, in order for the creature to glide or fly, the wings must have been split-level (like a biplane) and not overlayed (like a dragonfly), and that the latter posture would have been anatomically impossible. Using this biplane model, Chatterjee was able to calculate possible methods of gliding, and determined that Microraptor most likely employed a phugoid style of gliding--launching itself from a perch, the animal would have swooped downward in a deep 'U' shaped curve and then lifted again to land on another tree. The feathers not directly employed in the biplane wing structure, like those on the tibia and the tail, could have been used to control drag and alter the flight path, trajectory, etc. The orientation of the hind wings would also have helped the animal control its gliding flight. Chatterjee also used computer algorithms that test animal flight capacity to test whether or not Microraptor was capable of true, powered flight, in addition to passive gliding. The resulting data showed that Microraptor did have the requirements to sustain level powered flight, so it is theoretically possible that the animal flew on occasion in addition to gliding.

Inspired by the Zoo Tek Brains Trust

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Additional info:

MicroraptorMD_2008.ztd                            uca: 7D6DC026 dated 16 October 2008

Results From Configuration Checking:

7d6dc026.uca date: Thu Oct 16 21:36:02 2008
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 7D6DC026

Microraptor

Microraptor had two sets of wings, on both its fore- and hind legs. The long
feathers on the legs of Microraptor were true flight feathers as seen in
modern birds, with asymmetrical vanes on the arm, leg, and tail feathers. As
in bird wings, Microraptor had both primary (anchored to the hand) and
secondary (anchored to the arm) flight feathers. This standard wing pattern
was mirrored on the hind legs, with flight feathers anchored to the upper foot
bones as well as the upper and lower leg. It had been proposed by Chinese
scientists that the animal glided, and probably lived in trees, pointing to
the fact that wings anchored to the feet of Microraptor would have hindered
their ability to run on the ground, and suggest that all primitive
dromaeosaurids may have been arboreal
    (plus 6 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Coniferous Forest; Location: China; Era: Cretaceous
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 98.
Preferred shelter: Rock Cave.
Animal can jump.
Animal can climb cliffs.
Cannot be used in original Zoo Tycoon: cKeeperFoodType (6) is not 0 to 5.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Lodgepole Pine Tree, Fir Tree, Pine Tree, Yew Tree, Spruce Tree
Yellow Cedar Tree, Western Red Cedar Tree, Chinese Fir Tree, Pine Bush
Club Moss Shrub (DD), Walchian Conifer Tree (DD), Dawn Redwood Tree (DD)
Lepidodendron Tree (DD), Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD)

Rocks:
Large Rock, Large Rock - 1, Large Rock - 2, Large Rock - 3, Large Rock - 4
Small Rock - Medium, Small Rock - Small, Small Rock - 7, Small Rock - 8
Small Rock - 9, Stone Ruins, Coniferous Forest Rock - Formation
Rainforest Rock - Formation, Medium Coniferous Rock (DD)

Other specifically liked items:
Jungle Rock - Formation

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 3-10 with 20 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 3 adults): 60 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
39 Coniferous Floor, 6 Dirt, 3 Fresh Water, 12 Grass

Foliage (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
4 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD)
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 4 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
5 Small Rock - Small, which is its most liked rock.

Elevation: Of the 60 squares, 2 nonadjacent squares should be elevated.