Velociraptor
Velociraptor mongoliensis
ok. 1,8 mAdult individual · rekonstrukcja
Body length
Body length
wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaMeasurement: side
- Mass · szacunek
- No estimateSzacunki kopalne
Velociraptor — size comparison
Velociraptor mongoliensis was a small, feathered predator of the Late Cretaceous. It had a slender body, a long tail, toothed jaws and grasping forelimbs. The s
Silhouette comparison
Length
wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaReconstructed measurements · fossil estimates
Body lengthScale in m
00,511,52
approx. 1.8 m
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Velociraptor — size comparison — facts and sources
Velociraptor mongoliensis was a small, feathered predator of the Late Cretaceous. It had a slender body, a long tail, toothed jaws and grasping forelimbs. The second toe of each hind foot carried an enlarged sickle-shaped claw held above the ground while walking.
The claw may have helped pierce and hold prey, like the talons of living birds of prey. A famous Mongolian fossil preserves a Velociraptor in combat with Protoceratops: the predator’s forelimb is caught in its opponent’s jaws, while the curved claw lies near the neck. It directly records an encounter, although the reason for the fight remains uncertain.
Bumps on a forearm bone indicate attachment points for long feathers. Velociraptor could not fly; feathers may have reduced heat loss and served in displays. Strong evidence for coordinated group hunting, as portrayed in films, is lacking.