The presence of dark feathers along only the top of the body may also reflect the color pattern in life , indicating that Sinosauropteryx prima was countershaded with dark color on its back and lighter color on its underside , with bands or stripes on the tail for camouflage . Additionally , rather than an artifact of preservation or decomposition , the presence of dark feathers along only the top of the body may also reflect the color pattern in life , indicating that Sinosauropteryx prima was countershaded with dark colouration on its back and lighter colouration on its underside , with bands or stripes on the tail for camouflage .