Velociraptor

### Attributes

Small size; slim jaws; serrated teeth; scaly skin; sickle claw on feet; highly intelligent

## Biography

### Locations

Asia

***Velociraptor*** (name meaning "*Swift Seizer*") is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that originated during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Asia. Highly intelligent pack-hunting theropod dinosaurs measuring two meters long and weighing 45 kilos, *Velociraptor* is the world's most famous and well-known member of the dromaeosaur family, despite its small size.

In the episode, "***The Giant Claw***”, a pack of *Velociraptors*, consisting of seven individuals, were rescued from Late Cretaceous Mongolia, 80 million years ago. They reside in the Raptor Peak enclosure with their relatives.

## Facts

### Era & Discovery

*Velociraptor* lived in Mongolia, Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, 80 million years ago. They lived alongside dinosaurs like *Protoceratops*, *Mononykus*, *Gallimimus,* *Therizinosaurus*, *Saurolophus*, *Oviraptor, Tarchia* and *Tarbosaurus*. They died out with all other dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous about 65 million years ago.

During an American Museum of Natural History expedition to the Outer Mongolian Gobi Desert, on 11 August 1923 Peter Kaisenrecovered the first *Velociraptor* fossil known to science: a crushed but complete skull, associated with one of the raptorial second toe-claws. In 1924, museum president Henry Fairfield Osborn designated the skull and claw (which he assumed to come from the hand) as the type specimen of his new genus, *Velociraptor*.

   Since their first discovery (as well as their big hit in universal's *Jurassic Park*), *Velociraptor* has become the most famous member of the Dromaeosaur family and one of the most well-known dinosaurs in the world.

### Physical Attributes

*Velociraptor* was a small dromaeosaur, being about the size of a two-meter turkey and having a build like that of a bird. About the same size as *Dromaeosaurus*, *Velociraptor* stood 3 feet (1.2 m) tall at the hips, measured 6 feet (2 m) long, and weighed 100 lbs. Although small compared to larger dinosaurs of its environment, they nevertheless were very lethal predatory dinosaurs.

Additionally, being small endowed it with great agility. *Velociraptor*, like other dromaeosaurs, were amazingly fast, agile and lightweight dinosaurs, capable of running at speeds as fast as 40 mph (64 km/h), even reaching 50–60 mph (80–96 km/h) if they were hungry enough. It had a small and slender body with a long and stiff tail which was used for balance. It had long arms and legs, around 60 razor-sharp teeth, 3 inch sharp claws used in slicing flesh, had a great sense of smell, and advanced eyesight that was on equal level with modern birds.

Like all dromaeosaurids, *Velociraptor* had sharp claws on its hands and the infamous and distinctive sickle claw on the second toe of each foot. They could use their lethal claws on their toes with devastating effect and can kill even a large male *Protoceratops*. However, *Velociraptor* were often at risk when they attacked larger prey. Despite its strength and ferociousness, *Velociraptor*, like most animals, didn't like loud noises. If they heard a loud noise, anything from a bike horn to that of a larger predatory dinosaur, they would immediately flee.

### Behavior & Traits

*Velociraptor*, as with other members of the dromaeosaur family, took down large prey by hunting in packs. Juveniles raided the nests of other dinosaurs. Their packs have been known to vary in numbers, although they averagely consist of as many as between 3 and 7 individuals, male and female. Like wolves, the pack was lead by an Alpha male or female. As it was a lethal hunter armed to the teeth, being in a group would make *Velociraptor* a dangerous adversary.

*Velociraptor* was a carnivore, preying on the dinosaurs *Mononykus* and *Protoceratops*, though it also preyed on smaller creatures such as the mammals that lived at the time, lizards, and insects. *Velociraptor* was also highly intelligent, like all dromaeosaurids. With their large brains, they could have planned efficient, coordinated attacks. When attacking a large animal, a *Velociraptor* would lunge at with its arms outstretched and puncture an animal's skin with its sickle claw. It would do this several times until its prey was subdued from blood loss, allowing other members of its pack to finish off the wounded animal.

## Journal Entry

*Hunting in packs allowed it to take down larger herbivores. Each pack was lead by an alpha, whether male or female. Due to its smaller size compared to larger predators, Velociraptor was very fast and agile, able to run at speeds between 40 and 60 mph and leap 11 feet into the air. Perhaps the most terrifying feature of Velociraptor is the large and aptly named sickle-shaped "killing claw" on the second digit on both legs. With these claws, they could slash at prey non-stop until the prey died.*
*Velociraptor's reputation as one of the most dangerous and terrifying dinosaurs comes not from its size, but its ferocity and intelligence. With its large, sharp teeth and sickle-shaped claws, Velociraptor is a highly efficient predator, preying upon plant-eating dinosaurs - although its relative lack of power means it is unlikely to attack large or armoured dinosaurs.*

## Trivia

* The sound effects of *Velociraptor* are that of cobra, cougar, coyote, dolphin, goose, hyena, leopard, vulture, and wolf.
* *Velociraptor* is now known to have feathers.
* *Velociraptor's* scientific name is the same as that of *Andrewsarchus.* They both share the scientific name "*mongoliensis*​".
* There are two species of *Velociraptor,* *V. mongoliensis* and *V. osmolskae*, the second of which was only identified in 2008.
* The wings on the *Velociraptors* might be to short and the feather count to numerous based of 2007 studies.
* Contrary to popular belief, *Velociraptor*, and other dromaeosaurs, did not have the leg bone proportions necessary for moving at high speeds, and were likely not especially fast runners.
* *Velociraptor* notable lacks many key features towards hunting most other dinosaurs, instead showing adaptations towards hunting lizards and similarly sized prey. The "Fighting Dinosaurs" fossil, depicting a *Velociraptor* and *Protoceratops* locked in combat, was likely either instigated by the *Protoceratops*, or shows a desperation hunt on the part of the *Velociraptor*.