Atrociraptor

## AtrociraptorSavage Thief

* Has a boxy head
* Has less variation in tooth anatomy compared to relatives

***Atrociraptor*** (Savage Thief) is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation in southwestern Alberta, Canada, 68.5 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period.

## Description

Currently only known from skull, bones, and teeth, *Atrociraptor* is believed to be a small, saurornitholestine-type dromaeosaur, only 2 meters (6 feet, 7 inches) long and 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in weight, with a boxy head and less variation in tooth forms compared to some of its relatives.

On Prehistoric Planet, *Atrociraptor* is depicted with a thick, feathery coat in shades of red, brown, and gold, resembling those of some eagles, with lighter-colored feathers lining its arms and pygostyle (tail fan). Its snout is also bare, revealing the dark scales beneath. Much like the unidentified Alaskan troodontid, *Dromaeosaurus*, and *Imperobator*, *Atrociraptor* is depicted with legs that are heavily-feathered like those of a booted eagle, in contrast with other paravians in the series like *Velociraptor*, which have bare legs. This trait is likely an adaptation for the cold environment it lived in, or, conversely, the heat of the forest fires that frequently occur in the region during summer..

## Habitat

*Main: Horseshoe Canyon Formation*

Main: Horseshoe Canyon Formation

***“ In the forests of North America, there is an additional annual hazard for forest-dwellers. Fire, started by a strike of lightning. As it spreads, temperatures rise to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The flames rise several hundred feet into the air. ”***

― **David Attenborough**, *Forests*
*Atrociraptor* lived 68.5 million years ago in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation in southwestern Alberta, Canada, which by that time was an area of floodplains, estuaries, and coal swamps. The area likely also had its share of forests that thrives in such environments and, as the show depicts, is vulnerable to the threat of fire started by a single strike of lightning.

## Behavior

***“ This Atrociraptor is an opportunist. Quick to return when there's food on offer. And there's something else to be gained here. Smoke is an insecticide, and it can help an animal to get rid of its parasites... but you do have to be careful. ”***

― **David Attenborough**, *Forests*
Taking advantage of the newly-burned forest, *Atrociraptor* was one of the first animals to return to the ravaged landscape, eating up beetles that came back to the forest to lay their eggs within the abundant dead wood that will serve as food for their young. *Atrociraptor* also shows some ingenuity in that it picks up a smoking stick and uses the smoke emanating from it to kill or drive off any parasites in its feathery coat, though it did exhibit some caution given how the stick is still hot to the touch. When disturbed by a large presence, like a two-tonne *Anodontosaurus*, the *Atrociraptor* flees, once again showing caution, presumably running off to another place where it can do what it wants in peace.

## Appearance

### Forests

In the fifth segment of Forests, in the ruins of a forest ravaged by fire just hours before, animals begin to return. Beetles arrive to lay their eggs (for their larvae would feast on the near-limitless supply of dead wood). An *Atrociraptor*, taking advantage of the situation, feeds on one of the beetles, and picks up a smoking twig to rid itself of parasites. Sensing a large animal coming close, the *Atrociraptor* flees the scene as a two-tonne *Anodontosaurus* arrives to feed on a newly-burned tree stump to help aid digestion by purifying its stomach, the toxins of the many plants it ate neutralized by the charcoal it consumes.

## Trivia

### Speculation

*Atrociraptor's* usage of smoke to get rid of its parasites is based on similar behavior exhibited by some birds today.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Naish, Darren (@TetZoo) (June 18, 2022) on Twitter, regarding the remains and features of *Atrociraptor*
3. ↑ Naish, Darren (@TetZoo) (June 18, 2022) on Twitter, regarding *Atrociraptor's* usage of smoke as a parasite cleanser along with proof of similar behavior in modern birds