TED-ED: How do we know what color dinosaurs were? - Len Bloch

The video explores the Microraptor, a small carnivorous dinosaur, and how its iridescent black coloration was determined through fossil analysis. By examining melanosomes in fossilized feathers, scientists can infer the colors of ancient creatures. The video explains the physics of light and color, particularly how melanosomes in bird feathers create diverse colors. This research suggests many dinosaurs, including the Velociraptor, likely had feathers, challenging traditional depictions in media.

What role does the wavelength of light play in the coloration of feathers?

What implications does the discovery of feather coloration have for our understanding of dinosaurs?