Fun Facts About Velociraptor
Velociraptors roamed parts of Asia 75-71 million years ago during the latter part of the Cretaceous period. Despite their portrayal in movies, scientists believe they were the size of a turkey, had feathers, and likely hunted solo. Here are some fun facts about these small but mighty dinosaurs:
- Velociraptor means 'speedy thief' or ‘quick plunderer,’ which is fitting for the swift and agile carnivore.
- They were waist-high and could weigh up to 100 pounds.
- Scientists believe Velociraptors used their signature sickle-shaped claws to pin down prey like hawks and eagles do.
- Evidence suggests they were feathered and similar to modern birds of prey. In fact, the general consensus is that today’s birds evolved from theropods like Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus rex.
- Velociraptors were great hunters with an excellent sense of smell.
- They had muscular legs with long shins that enabled them to take long strides and reach up to 24 miles per hour.
- Velociraptor is one of the best known dromaeosaurid dinosaurs with over a dozen skeletons found.
- The first Velociraptor fossil was discovered in the Gobi Desert in 1923.
- One of the most famous Velociraptor discoveries is referred to as the “fighting dinosaurs” because it includes the fossils of a Velociraptor and Protoceratops engaged in combat before they died.
Velociraptors disappeared from the fossil record over 70 million years ago. Paleontologists have learned a lot about these iconic predators, but our knowledge continues to grow as more fossil evidence is uncovered.
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