The first dinosaur found with feathers was called Sinosauropteryx prima, which means 'first Chinese dragon feather'. Its skeleton was surrounded by a halo of feathers.

Sinosauropteryx's very simple feathers were almost hair-like and probably first evolved to insulate small, warm-blooded dinosaurs from cold and heat. Sinosauropteryx could not fly.

Sinosauropteryx prima
Artist: James Reece