Wulatelong (Wulate Dragon)

Basic facts

  • 5.25 feet (1.3m) length

  • Late Cretaceous

  • China

  • Omnivore

Wulatelong is an extinct genus of foundational oviraptorid dinosaur found in northern China's Inner Mongolia, particularly in the Late Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation during the Campanian stage. This genus is characterized by its sole species, Wulatelong gobiensis.

The fossils attributed to Wulatelong consist of a singular, almost complete skeleton. In terms of classification, Wulatelong has been recognized as a relatively fundamental oviraptorid, sharing similarities with genera like Incisivosaurus and Caudipteryx. Unfortunately, the original remains of the Wulatelong holotype have undergone erosion due to the harsh environmental conditions in which they were discovered, as they were already exposed to the elements.