Velociraptor

*Velociraptor mongoliensis*

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***Velociraptor***  (meaning swift thief) is a genus of predatory dromaeosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous in what is now the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, Asia, about 75–71 million years ago. In the *Jurassic Park* universe, the "*Velociraptor*" is after the genus of another dromaeosaurid dinosaur known as *Deinonychus*. The films, like the novels, followed the unusual taxonomy created by Gregory S. Paul, who believed that *Deinonychus*, as well as a few other species of dromaeosaurids, could be classified under the genus "*Velociraptor*". As for the large size of the raptors, the novel raptors were sized up for an unknown reason by author Michael Crichton while the movie raptors were made larger per Steven Spielberg's request to him being unimpressed by the size of *Deinonychus*.

Smaller than other dromaeosaurids like *Deinonychus* and *Achillobator*, *Velociraptor* still shared a number of the same anatomical features. It was a bipedal, feathered carnivore with a long, stiff tail and a large sickle-shaped claw on each foot, which is thought to have been used to kill its prey. *Velociraptor* can be told apart from other dromaeosaurids by its long and low skull, with an upturned snout, this feature is mainly seen in larger tyrannosaurids.

## Description

    A *Velociraptor* is a small-sized dromaeosaurid that reached up to 6.8 ft long, 1.6 ft high at the hip, and weighed about 15-33 lbs. The skull, which grew up to 9.8 in long, was uniquely up-curved, concave on the top surface and convex on the lower. The jaws were lined with 26–28 widely spaced teeth on each side, each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front—possibly an skill that helped it catch and hold fast-moving prey.

*Velociraptor*, like other dromaeosaurids, had a large hand with 3 curved claws, which were similar in construction and flexibility to the wing bones of birds. The 2nd digit was the longest of the 3, while the 1st was shortest. The structure of the wrist bones prevented pronation of the wrist and forced the 'hands' to be held with the palm faced in, not down. The 1st toe of the foot, as in other theropods, was a small dewclaw. Unlike most theropods, which had feet with 3 toes touching the ground, dromaeosaurids like *Velocirapto*r walked on just their 3rd and 4th toes. The 2nd digit, for which *Velociraptor* is famed, was highly modified and held retracted off of the ground. It bore a large, sickle-shaped claw, typical of dromaeosaurid and troodontid dinosaurs. This large claw, which could be over 2.6 in long around its outer edge, was most likely a tool to latch onto and pin down prey, or possibly use it to latch on to the bark of trees, where it would use its wings in conjunction with its claws to climb trees

The tail of *Velociraptor* was stiff, with long bony projections on top of the vertebrae, as well as ossified tendons under it. The projections began on the 10th tail vertebra and spread forth to brace 4 to 10 more vertebrae, depending on position in the tail. The stiffness forced the whole tail to act as a rod-like unit, preventing vertical motion between vertebrae. Yet, at least one specimen preserves a set of intact tail vertebrae curved in an S-shape, suggesting that there was really more horizontal flexibility. These adaptations of the tail may have brought balance and stability while turning, especially at high speeds. In 2007, paleontologists reported the discovery of quill knobs on a well-preserved *Velociraptor mongoliensis* forearm from Mongolia, confirming the presence of feathers in this species.

## History

On an American Museum of Natural History expedition to the Gobi Desert ( Mongolia ), in 1923, Peter Kaisen recovered the first *Velociraptor* fossil known: a crushed but complete skull, associated with one of the 2nd toe claws for hunting. The next year, museum chief Henry Fairfield Osborn mentioned the animal in a press article, under the name *"Ovoraptor mongoliensis".* However, as the name *"Ovoraptor"* had not been published in a scientific journal or accompanied by a description in good and due form, it remained a *nomen nudum* (a "naked name") and the name "*Velociraptor*" took priority. Later that year, Osborn designated the skull and claw (which he thought came from the hand) as belonging to a new genus, *Velociraptor.* This name is derived from the Latin words *velox* ("swift") and *raptor* ("thief" or "robber") and refers to the animal's fast nature and its meat diet. Osborn named the type species *V.* *mongoliensis* from the country it had been found.

During the Cold War , Mongolia was closed to North American teams but the expeditions led by Soviet and Polish scientists, in collaboration with Mongolian colleagues, found several more fossils of *Velociraptor.* The best known is part of the legendary "Fighting dinosaurs" discovered by a Polish-Mongolian team in 1971. The fossil preserves a Velociraptor in the midst of a fight against a lone Protoceratops .

Between 1988 and 1990 , a joint Chinese-Canadian team discovered *Velociraptor* remains in north China. US-Mongolian expeditions to the Gobi Desert, led by the American Museum of Natural History and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, turned up new well-preserved skeletons between 1990 and 1995 .

## Classification

*Velociraptor* is a member of the subfamily Velociraptorinae, a sub-group of the family Dromaeosauridae. In phylogenetic taxonomy, Velociraptorinae is for the most part defined as "all dromaeosaurs more closely related to *Velociraptor* than to *Dromaeosaurus*." Dromaeosaurid classification is highly variable. Originally, the subfamily Velociraptorinae was made just to contain *Velociraptor*. Other studies have included other genera, usually *Deinonychus* and *Saurornitholestes*. A cladistic study said a monophyletic Velociraptorinae holding *Velociraptor*, *Deinonychus*, *Tsaagan*, and a closely related (but doubtfully placed) *Saurornitholestes*.

In the past, other dromaeosaurid species, such as *Deinonychus antirrhopus* and *Saurornitholestes langstoni*, at times have been classified in the genus *Velociraptor*. Since *Velociraptor* was the first to be named, these species are now named *Velociraptor antirrhopus* and *V. langstoni,* but, today the only recognized species of *Velociraptor* are *V. mongoliensis*   and *V. osmolskae*.

When first described in 1924, *Velociraptor* was placed in the family Megalosauridae, as was the case with most carnivores at the time (Megalosauridae, like *Megalosaurus*, functioned as a sort of 'wastebin' taxon, where many unrelated species were grouped together). As dinosaur discoveries multiplied, *Velociraptor* was later approved as a dromaeosaurid. All dromaeosaurids have also been referred to the family Archaeopterygidae by at least one author (which would, in effect, make *Velociraptor* a flightless bird)

## Paleobiology

### Predatory behavior

Despite the lack of evidence for *Velociraptor* in particular predating in groups, there is substantial evidence that *Velociraptor* did prey upon *Protoceratops*, a horned dinosaur that was related to the *Triceratops*. The small ceratopsian lived in Asia along with other small ceratopsians like *Udanoceratops*, *Bagaceratops*, *Yamaceratops*, *Helioceratops* and *Asiaceratops*. The conclusion of the predator/prey relationship between *Velociraptor* and *Protoceratops* comes from a discovery made in 1971, wherein scientists found a very well preserved fossil of a *Velociraptor* locked in combat with a *Protoceratops*. The fossil showed a *Protoceratops* biting the arm of the *Velociraptor*, and the Velociraptor using its sickle-claw and pierce into the *Protoceratops'* throat. In the end, however, both of the dinosaurs ultimately met their end when a sandslide killed the two dinosaurs, and their bodies were left in the ground.

### Feathers

In September 2007, researchers found quill knobs on the forearm of a *Velociraptor* found in Mongolia. These bumps on bird wing bones show where feathers anchor, and their presence on *Velociraptor* indicate it too had feathers. Turner and colleagues interpreted the presence of feathers on *Velociraptor* as evidence that the ancestors of dromaeosaurids could fly, making *Velociraptor* and other large members of this family secondarily flightless. This idea has since been discarded; the unmodified forearms count against it. Therefore, the feathers in the ancestors of *Velociraptor* had another function. The feathers of the flightless *Velociraptor* may have been used for display, for covering their nests while brooding.

## JPInstitute.com Description

Since the movie "Jurassic Park", Velociraptor has become the most famous dinosaur, even more so than T. rex. What is interesting is that it doesn't really look like the movie dinosaur. Velociraptor is much smaller than in the film and it has a longer, thinner snout. Still, pound for pound, Velociraptor was a very effective killing machine!

One of the most unique aspects of Velociraptor is the "Killing Claw" it has on each foot. Each inside toe has a large (about 5 inches) hooked claw that is controlled by a strong tendon. This claw is held upward when the animal is walking or running. However, when it attacks, the tendon snaps tight and the claw snaps down with great speed and force, slicing deeply into the victim. Not a very pretty picture, but an effective way to inflict a serious wound.

Velociraptor was probably a pack hunter, which would have allowed it to attack prey much larger than itself. It also had a very large brain relative to its size - it was one of the smartest dinosaurs. It was very light and very fast. Recent thinking is that it was also very close to being birdlike, and that it had feathers that it used both for display and insulation. It had very strong arms and claws, which were effective weapons by themselves. It had sharp, recurved teeth in its long mouth. One of the most fascinating fossil discoveries ever made is of a Velociraptor locked in mortal combat with a Protoceratops. Both creatures probably died instantly in a sandstorm and their bodies were buried with the claws of the raptor in the body of the little ceratopsian, whose mouth was firmly locked on the raptors leg.

## Dinosaur Field Guide Description

Velociraptor ("swift hunter") is probably the most famous meat-eating dinosaur after Tyrannosaurus. Although it was first described in 1923, it was made famous to most people by its starring role in Jurassic Park. Velociraptor is one of the dromaeosaurs, or raptor dinosaurs. It is actually a pretty small, but fierce dinosaur, with a skull only 7 inches (18 cm) long. (The dinosaurs shown in Jurassic Park are too big to be true Velociraptors.) Its arms are long and end in powerful grasping claws. Its feet have huge sickle-shaped claws, which could retract when not in use. A spectacular fossil from Mongolia shows exactly how these claws were used. The fossil shows a Velociraptor and
a little horned dinosaur--Protoceratops-locked in their final battle. The hands of the Velociraptor are clutching the skull of the Protoceratops, while the left foot claw of the raptor is buried
deep in the horned dinosaur's neck. The Velociraptor was apparently in the midst of ripping out the throat of the Protoceratops when the two were buried in a sand dune. (The little horned dinosaur seems to have had its revenge, however, as the Velociraptor's right arm was in its
beak. The Protoceratops no doubt bit it off with its final bite!)

### Fun Facts

A fossil of Velociraptor has been found with a bite mark through the top of the skull. The bite matches that of another Velociraptor. This shows that Velociraptors killed each other.

### Trivia

In the movie Jurassic Park, Dr. Grant is digging up a skeleton of Velociraptor in Montana; this would indeed be an amazing discovery, as true Velociraptor is known only from Asia!

## Links

http://web.archive.org/web/20040214161304fw\_/http://www.jpinstitute.com/dinopedia/dinocards/dc\_veloc.html#

## References

1. ↑ Velociraptor = 'swift robber', sometimes called 'raptor' for short.
2. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (1988). *Predatory Dinosaurs of the World*. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 464pp. ISBN 978-0671619466.
3. ↑ Bakker, Robert T. (1995) *Raptor Red*, p. 4. (Google Books) Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books/about/Raptor\_Red.html?id=6LSERLP3BFsC&source=kp\_cover
4. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (1988). Predatory Dinosaurs of the World. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 464pp. ISBN 978-0-6716-1946-6.
5. ↑ Osborn, Henry F. (1924a). "Three new Theropoda, *Protoceratops* zone, central Mongolia". *American Museum Novitates* **144**: 1–12.
6. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen; Osmólska, Halszka (1999). "The skull of *Velociraptor* (Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia". *Acta Palaeontologica Polonica* **44** (2): 189–219.
7. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (2002). Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0801867637.
8. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen (1983). "Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia". Transactions of the Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition 19: 5–119.
9. ↑ Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1999). "Important features of the dromaeosaurid skeleton II: information from newly collected specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*". *American Museum Novitates* **3282**: 1–45.
10. ↑ Turner, A.H.; Makovicky, P.J.; Norell, M.A. (2007). "Feather quill knobs in the dinosaur Velociraptor". Science 317 (5845): 1721. doi:10.1126/science.1145076. PMID 17885130.
11. ↑ Osborn, Henry F. (1924a). "Three new Theropoda, *Protoceratops* zone, central Mongolia". *American Museum Novitates* **144**: 1–12.
12. ↑ Osborn, Henry F. (1924b). "The discovery of an unknown continent". *Natural History* **24**: 133–149.
13. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen (1983). "Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia". *Transactions of the Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition* **19**: 5–119.
14. ↑ Kielan-Jaworowska, Zofia; Barsbold, Rinchen (1972). "Narrative of the Polish-Mongolian Paleontological Expeditions". *Paleontologica Polonica* **27**: 5–13.
15. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen (1974). "Saurornithoididae, a new family of theropod dinosaurs from Central Asia and North America". *Paleontologica Polonica* **30**: 5–22.
16. ↑ Jerzykiewicz, Tomasz; Currie, Philip J.; Eberth, David A.; Johnston, P.A.; Koster, E.H.; Zheng, J.-J. (1993). "Djadokhta Formation correlative strata in Chinese Inner Mongolia: an overview of the stratigraphy, sedimentary geology, and paleontology and comparisons with the type locality in the pre-Altai Gobi". *Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences* **30** (10): 2180–2195. doi:10.1139/e93-190.
17. ↑ Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1999). "Important features of the dromaeosaurid skeleton II: information from newly collected specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*". *American Museum Novitates* **3282**: 1–45.
18. ↑ Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1997). "Important features of the dromaeosaur skeleton: information from a new specimen". *American Museum Novitates* **3215**: 1–28.
19. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen (1983). "Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia". *Transactions of the Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition* **19**: 5–119.
20. ↑ Currie, Philip J. (1995). "New information on the anatomy and relationships of *Dromaeosaurus albertensis* (Dinosauria: Theropoda)". *Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology* **15** (3): 576–591. doi:10.1080/02724634.1995.10011250.
21. ↑ Norell, Mark A.; Clark, James M.; Turner, Alan H.; Makovicky, Peter J.; Barsbold, Rinchen; Rowe, Timothy (2006). "A new dromaeosaurid theropod from Ukhaa Tolgod (Omnogov, Mongolia)". *American Museum Novitates* **3545**: 1–51. doi:10.1206/0003-0082(2006)3545[1:ANDTFU]2.0.CO;2.
22. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (1988). *Predatory Dinosaurs of the World*. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 464pp. ISBN 978-0-6716-1946-6.
23. ↑ Barsbold, Rinchen; Osmólska, Halszka (1999). "The skull of *Velociraptor* (Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica '44' (2): 189–219.
24. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (2002). *Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds*. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0801867637.
25. ↑ Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (2004). "Dromaeosauridae". In Weishampel, David B., Dodson, Peter & Osmólska, Halszka (eds.). *The Dinosauria* (Second ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 196–209. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
26. ↑ Godefroit, Pascal; Currie, Philip J.; Li, Hong; Shang, Chang Yong; Dong, Zhi-ming (2008). "A new species of *Velociraptor* (Dinosauria: Dromaeosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous of northern China". *Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology* **28** (2): 432–438. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2008)28[432:ANSOVD]2.0.CO;2.
27. ↑ Osborn, Henry F. (1924a). "Three new Theropoda, *Protoceratops* zone, central Mongolia". *American Museum Novitates* **144**: 1–12.
28. ↑ Paul, Gregory S. (2002). *Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds*. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0801867637.
29. ↑ Turner A.H.; Makovicky P.J.; Norell M.A. 2007. Feather quill knobs in the dinosaur Velociraptor. *Science* **317**: 1721. PMID 17885130.
30. ↑ Milner, Angela 2002. *Dinobirds: from dinosaurs to birds*. Natural History Museum, London.