Not only that, but this small ancestor of the T-Rex was the first of its kind that had direct evidence for feathers.

The species name ‘paradoxus’ refers to this, as the discovery of feathers on a tyrannosaur was not expected.

The name ‘Dilong’, on the other hand, means ‘emperor dragon’.

Some experts think Dilong's attributes - its small size, feathers and carnivorous diet - point to a warm-blooded metabolism similar to that of a modern bird.

Dilong roamed the area now known as the Liaoning Province in north-eastern China 138-129 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous Period.