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Archeopteryx - The Bridge Between Dinosaurs and Birds Archeopteryx is one of the most famous and studied fossil creatures. Often called the "missing link" between dinosaurs and modern birds, it lived about 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. What is Archeopteryx? Archeopteryx was a medium-sized creature, about the size of a crow. It had many characteristic features that make it so interesting to scientists: Feathers: One of its most notable features was the feathers that covered its body. This makes it one of the earliest known organisms with feathers. Teeth: Unlike modern birds, Archeopteryx had sharp teeth similar to those of some carnivorous dinosaurs. Wing Claws: It had three claws on its wings, another similarity to dinosaurs. Long bony tail: Unlike modern birds, Archeopteryx had a long bony tail similar to that of dinosaurs. Opens in a new window www.bhigr.com Archeopteryx skeleton Why is it so important? Archeopteryx is extremely important to science because: Transitional form: It represents a transitional form between dinosaurs and birds, showing how evolution has connected these two groups. Evidence for the origin of birds: The discovery of Archeopteryx was strong evidence for the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs. Better understanding of evolution: Studying Archeopteryx helps us better understand the processes of evolution and how different species develop.