Smaller than the movie star
Real Velociraptor was roughly turkey-sized in body mass, although its long tail contributed to a length of about two metres.
A REAL DINOSAUR. A SUSPICIOUSLY FAMILIAR PERSONALITY.
VELOCIRAPTOR.
The loophole enthusiast.
You read the rules carefully. Mostly to identify the exits. You are quick, resourceful, and technically doing exactly what was requested.
SIGNATURE MOVEFinding a third option in a two-option situation.
SPECIMEN 04 / LATE CRETACEOUS
VELOCIRAPTOR MONGOLIENSIS · CARNIVORE
VELOCIRAPTOR MONGOLIENSIS · CARNIVOREFred Wierum · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Meet the actual dinosaur THE ACTUAL SCIENCE STARTS HERE
Meet the real Velociraptor.
The jokes are ours.
The animal was very real.
- WHEN
- 75–71 million years ago
- ON THE MENU
- Carnivore
- LENGTH
- About 2 m
- BODY MASS
- About 15–20 kg
Evidence for feathers
Quill knobs on a forearm bone show attachment points for large feathers.
The famous toe claw
An enlarged curved claw on the second toe was held clear of the ground during ordinary movement.
Fighting dinosaurs
A remarkable fossil preserves a Velociraptor and Protoceratops locked together, providing direct evidence of an encounter.
A balancing tail
Elongated structures reinforced much of the tail, helping maintain a useful counterbalance.
Desert deposits
Many specimens come from formations preserving ancient dune environments, rather than lush movie jungles.
A little room for discovery.
Coordinated pack hunting is not established for Velociraptor. Its exact hunting behavior cannot simply be read from films.
Read more: Velociraptor on Wikipedia · Research and references. Facts are summarized in our own words. Size and date ranges are approximate; estimates vary by specimen and study. Gallery images may include other species within the genus.
A closer look.
Fossils, museum displays, and published reconstructions. Artwork shows an interpretation; it is not a photograph of a living dinosaur.
Is this your prehistoric alter ego?
Eight questions and an optional face scan will settle this. Very unofficially.