By studying features that are shared among organisms, we can learn about how they are related.
This is a fossil of Archaeopteryx from the Jurassic of Germany.
It is so well preserved that its feathers can be seen.
CLICK on Archaeopteryx' wings to get a close-up!
The bird-like feathers of Archaeopteryx provide scientists with evidence that it is related to modern-day birds.
Archaeopteryx' teeth also provide clues about its relationships to other animals.
CLICK on Archaeopteryx' head to look closer!
The type of teeth in Archaeopteryx are very similar to the teeth found in the group of dinosaurs that includes T. rex.
In fact, there are over 100 features shared among dinosaurs, Archaeopteryx, and birds.
This suggests that the birds of today are very closely related to dinosaurs, so it seems that not all the dinosaurs went extinct!
