Some ancient dinosaurs used four wings to glide like oversized paper airplanes
Long before modern birds took to the skies, certain dinosaurs like the Microraptor utilized four feathered wings to glide through prehistoric forests like oversized, biological paper airplanes.
The 125-million-year-old Microraptor gui featured asymmetric flight feathers on both its arms and legs, creating a unique four-wing lift system. Analysis of fossils found in China suggests these two-foot-long predators could glide at 20 mph for distances over 130 feet.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz