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| Boilerpipe Text | Velociraptor
Temporal range:
Late Cretaceous
, ~
75â71Â
Ma
Preê
ê
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
â
Possible later
Maastrichtian
record
[
1
]
Mounted
V. mongoliensis
cast at
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Clade
:
Dinosauria
Clade
:
Saurischia
Clade
:
Theropoda
Family:
â
Dromaeosauridae
Clade
:
â
Eudromaeosauria
Subfamily:
â
Velociraptorinae
Genus:
â
Velociraptor
Osborn
, 1924
Type species
â
Velociraptor mongoliensis
Osborn, 1924
Other species
â
V.? osmolskae
Godefroit
et al., 2008
Velociraptor
(
;
[
2
]
lit.
â
'
swift thief
'
) is a
genus
of small
dromaeosaurid
dinosaurs
that lived in
Asia
during the
Late Cretaceous
epoch, about 75 million to 71
million years ago
(Mya). Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The
type species
is
V. mongoliensis
, named and described in 1924.
Fossils
of this species have been discovered in the
Djadochta Formation
,
Mongolia
. A second species,
V. osmolskae
, was named in 2008 for skull material from the
Bayan Mandahu Formation
,
China
. A possible record is known from the
Nemegt Formation
.
[
1
]
Smaller than other dromaeosaurids like
Deinonychus
and
Achillobator
,
Velociraptor
was about 1.5â2.07Â m (4.9â6.8Â ft) long with a body mass of around 14.1â19.7Â kg (31â43Â lb). It nevertheless shared many of the same
anatomical
features. It was a
bipedal
,
feathered
carnivore
with a long tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped
claw
on each hindfoot, which is thought to have been used to tackle and restrain
prey
.
Velociraptor
can be distinguished from other dromaeosaurids by its long and low
skull
, with an upturned
snout
.
Velociraptor
(commonly referred to as "raptor") is one of the dinosaur genera most familiar to the general public due to its
prominent role
in the
Jurassic Park
films. In reality, however,
Velociraptor
was roughly the size of a
turkey
, considerably smaller than the approximately 2Â m (6.6Â ft) tall and 90Â kg (200Â lb) reptiles seen in the novels and films (which were based on members of the related genus
Deinonychus
). Today,
Velociraptor
is well known to
paleontologists
, with over a dozen described fossil skeletons.
One particularly famous specimen
preserves a
Velociraptor
locked in combat with a
Protoceratops
.
History of discovery
Line diagram of
V. mongoliensis
holotype skull and associated manual ungual
During an
American Museum of Natural History
expedition to the
Flaming Cliffs
(Bayn Dzak or Bayanzag) of the
Djadochta Formation
,
Gobi Desert
, on 11 August 1923, Peter Kaisen discovered the first
Velociraptor
fossil known to scienceâa crushed but complete skull, associated with one manual claw and adjoining
phalanges
(
AMNH
6515). In 1924, museum president
Henry Fairfield Osborn
designated the skull and part of the manus as the
type specimen
of his new genus,
Velociraptor
. This name is derived from the
Latin
words
velox
('swift') and
raptor
('robber' or 'plunderer') and refers to the animal's
cursorial
nature and carnivorous diet. Osborn named the type species
V. mongoliensis
after its country of origin.
[
3
]
Earlier that year, Osborn had informally mentioned the animal in a popular press article, under the name "Ovoraptor djadochtari" (not to be confused with the similarly named
Oviraptor
),
[
4
]
eventually changed into
V. mongoliensis
during its formal description.
[
3
]
While North American teams were shut out of
communist Mongolia
during the
Cold War
, expeditions by
Soviet
and
Polish
scientists, in collaboration with Mongolian colleagues, recovered several more specimens of
Velociraptor
. The most famous is part of the "
Fighting Dinosaurs
" specimen (
MPC-D
100/25; formerly IGM, GIN, or GI SPS), discovered by a Polish-Mongolian team in 1971. The fossil preserves a
Velociraptor
in battle against a
Protoceratops
.
[
5
]
[
6
]
[
7
]
It is considered a national treasure of Mongolia, and in 2000 it was loaned to the American Museum of Natural History in
New York City
for a temporary exhibition.
[
8
]
Between 1988 and 1990, a joint
Chinese
-
Canadian
team discovered
Velociraptor
remains in northern China.
[
9
]
American scientists returned to Mongolia in 1990, and a joint Mongolian-American expedition to the Gobi, led by the American Museum of Natural History and the
Mongolian Academy of Sciences
, turned up several well-preserved skeletons.
[
10
]
[
11
]
One such specimen, MPC-D 100/980, was nicknamed "Ichabodcraniosaurus" by Norell's team because the fairly complete specimen was found without its skull (an allusion to the
Washington Irving
character
Ichabod Crane
).
[
12
]
While Norell and Makovicky provisionally considered it a specimen of
Velociraptor mongoliensis
,
[
10
]
it was named as a new species
Shri devi
in 2021.
[
13
]
In 1999,
Rinchen Barsbold
and
Halszka OsmĂłlska
reported a juvenile
Velociraptor
specimen (GIN or IGM 100/2000), represented by a complete skeleton including the skull of a young individual. It was found at the Tugriken Shireh locality of the Djadochta Formation during the context of the Mongolian-Japanese Palaeontological Expeditions. The coauthors stated that detailed descriptions of this and other specimens would be published at a later date.
[
14
]
Additional species
Velociraptorine
skulls, B, D, E are
V. mongoliensis
, C is
V
sp., and F is
V. osmolskae
(known parts in gray)
Maxillae
and a
lacrimal
(the main tooth-bearing bones of the upper jaw, and the bone that forms the anterior margin of the eye socket, respectively) recovered from the
Bayan Mandahu Formation
in 1999 by the Sino-Belgian Dinosaur Expeditions were found to pertain to
Velociraptor
, but not to the type species
V. mongoliensis
.
Pascal Godefroit
and colleagues named these bones
V. osmolskae
(for Polish paleontologist
Halszka OsmĂłlska
) in 2008.
[
15
]
However, the 2013 study noted that while "the elongate shape of the maxilla in
V. osmolskae
is similar to that of
V. mongoliensis
," phylogenetic analysis found it to be closer to
Linheraptor
, making the genus
paraphyletic
; thus,
V. osmolskae
might not actually belong to the genus
Velociraptor
and requires reassessment.
[
16
]
Paleontologists Mark A. Norell and Peter J. Makovicky in 1997 described new and well preserved specimens of
V. mongoliensis
, namely MPC-D 100/985 collected from the Tugrik Shireh locality in 1993, and MPC-D 100/986 collected in 1993 from the Chimney Buttes locality. The team briefly mentioned another specimen, MPC-D 100/982, which by the time of this publication remained undescribed.
[
11
]
In 1999 Norell and Makovicky provided more insights into the anatomy of
Velociraptor
with additional specimens. Among these, MPC-D 100/982 was partially described and figured, and referred to
V. mongoliensis
mainly based on cranial similarities with the holotype skull, although they stated that differences were present between the pelvic region of this specimen and other
Velociraptor
specimens. This relatively well-preserved specimen including the skull was discovered and collected in 1995 at the Bayn Dzak locality (specifically at the "Volcano" sub-locality).
[
10
]
Martin KundrĂĄt in a 2004 abstract compared the neurocranium of MPC-D 100/982 to another
Velociraptor
specimen, MPC-D 100/976. He concluded that the overall morphology of the former was more derived (advanced) than the latter, suggesting that they could represent distinct taxa.
[
17
]
Velociraptor
specimen MPC-D 100/982, possibly a new species
Mark J. Powers in his 2020 master thesis fully described MPC-D 100/982, which he concluded to represent a new and third species of
Velociraptor
. This species, which he considered distinct, was stated to mainly differ from other
Velociraptor
species in having a shallow maxilla morphology.
[
18
]
Powers and colleagues also in 2020 used
morphometric
analyses to compare several dromaeosaurid maxillae, and found the maxilla of MPC-D 100/982 to strongly differ from specimens referred to
Velociraptor
. They indicated that this specimen, based on these results, represents a different species.
[
19
]
In 2021 Powers with team used
Principal Component Analysis
to separate dromaeosaurid maxillae, most notably finding that MPC-D 100/982 falls outside the instraspecific variability of
V. mongoliensis
, arguing for a distinct species. They considered that both
V. mongoliensis
and this new species were ecologically separated based on their skull anatomy.
[
20
]
The team in another 2021 abstract reinforced again the species-level separation, noting that additional differences can be found in the hindlimbs.
[
21
]
Description
Velociraptor
specimens compared in size to a 1.8Â m (5Â ft 11Â in) tall
human
Velociraptor
was a small to medium-sized
dromaeosaurid
, with adults measuring between 1.5â2.07Â m (4.9â6.8Â ft) long, approximately 0.5Â m (1.6Â ft) high at the hips,
[
22
]
[
23
]
and weighing about 14.1â19.7Â kg (31â43Â lb).
[
24
]
[
25
]
Prominent
quill knobs
âattachment site of "
wing
" feathers and direct indicator of a
feather
coveringâhave been reported from the
ulna
of a single
Velociraptor
specimen (IGM 100/981), which represents an animal of estimated 1.5Â m (4.9Â ft) long and 15Â kg (33Â lb) in weight. The spacing of 6 preserved knobs suggests that 8 additional knobs may have been present, giving a total of 14 quill knobs that developed large
secondaries
("wing" feathers stemming from the forearm).
[
26
]
However, the specimen number has been corrected to IGM 100/3503 and its referral to
Velociraptor
may require reevaluation, pending further study.
[
27
]
Nevertheless, there is strong
phylogenetic evidence
from other dromaeosaurid relatives that indicates the presence of feathers in
Velociraptor
, including dromaeosaurids such as
Daurlong
,
[
28
]
Microraptor
,
[
29
]
or
Zhenyuanlong
.
[
30
]
Skull
Life restoration
The skull of
Velociraptor
was rather elongated and grew up to 23Â cm (9.1Â in) long. It was uniquely up-curved at the snout region, concave on the upper surface, and convex on the lower surface. The snout, which occupied about 60% of the entire skull length, was notably narrow and mainly formed by the nasal, premaxilla, and maxilla bones. The
premaxilla
was the anteriormost bone in the skull, and it was longer than taller. While its posterior end joined the nasal, the main body of the premaxilla touched the maxilla. The
maxilla
was nearly triangular in shape and the largest element of the snout. On its center or main body, there was a depression developing a small oval to circular-shaped hole, called maxillary fenestra. Though in front of this fenestra were two small openings, referred to as promaxillary fenestrae. The posterior border of the maxilla formed (predominantly) the antorbital fenestra, one of the several large holes in the skull. Both premaxilla and maxilla had several
alveoli
(
tooth
sockets) on their bottom surfaces. Above the maxilla and making contact with the premaxilla, there was the
nasal
bone. It was a thin/narrow and elongated bone contributing to the top surface of the snout. Together, both premaxilla and nasal bones gave form to the naris or narial fenestra (nostril opening), which was relatively large and circular. The posterior end of the nasal was joined by the frontal and lacrimal bones.
[
31
]
[
14
]
Skull of MPC-D 100/25 (
Fighting Dinosaurs
individual), in lateral (A-C), top (B), bottom (D-E), and posterior (E) views
The back or posterior region of the skull was built by the frontal, lacrimal, postorbital, jugal, parietal, quadrate, and quadratojugal bones. The
frontal
was large element, having a vaguely rectangular shape when seen from above. On its posterior end, this bone was in contact with the
parietal
, and such elements were the main bodies of the
skull roof
. The
lacrimal
was a T-shaped bone and its main body was thin and delicated. Its lower end meet the
jugal
(often called cheek bone), which was a large, sub-triangular-shaped element. Its lower border was notably straight/horizontal. The
postorbital
was located just above the jugal: a stocky and strongly T-shaped bone. As a whole, the orbit or orbital fenestra (eye socket)âformed by the lacrimal, jugal, frontal, and postorbitalâwas large and near circular in shape, being longer than taller. When seen from above, a pair of large and markedly rounded holes were present near the rear of the skull (the temporal fenestrae), whose main components were the postorbital and squamosal. Behind the jugal, an inverted T-shaped bone (also seen in other dromaeosaurids), known as the
quadratojugal
, was developed. While the upper end of the quadratojugal joined the
squamosal
, an irregularly-shaped element, its inner side meet the
quadrate
. The latter was of great importance for the articulation with the lower jaw. The posteriormost bone was the
occipital bone
and its projection the
occipital condyle
: a rounded and bulbous protuberance that meet the first vertebra of the neck.
[
31
]
[
14
]
V. mongoliensis
holotype skull (right), rostrum (left), and dentary (bottom)
The lower jaw of
Velociraptor
comprised mainly the dentary, splenial, angular, surangular, and articular bones. The
dentary
was a very long, weakly curved, and narrow element that developed several alveoli on its top surface. On its posterior end, it meet the
surangular
. It had a small hole near its posterior end, called surangular foramen or fenestra. Both bones were the largest elements of the lower jaw of
Velociraptor
, contributing to virtually its entire length. Below them were the smaller
splenial
and
angular
, closely articulated to each other. The
articular
, located on the inner side of the surangular, was a small element that joined the quadrate of the upper skull, enabling the articulation with the lower jaw. An elongated, near oval-shaped hole was developed in the center of the lower jaw (the mandibular fenestra), and it was produced by the joint of the dentary, surangular, and angular bones.
[
31
]
[
14
]
The teeth of
Velociraptor
were fairly
homodont
(equal in shape) and had several
denticles
(serrations), each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front. The premaxilla had 4 alveoli (meaning that 4 teeth were developed), and the maxilla had 11 alveoli. At the dentary, between 14â15 alveoli were present. All teeth present at the premaxilla were poorly curved, and the two first teeth were the longest, with the second having a characteristic large size. The maxillary teeth were more slender, recurved, and most notably, the lower end was strongly more serrated than the upper one.
[
31
]
[
14
]
Postcranial skeleton
Line diagram of the pes of
V. mongoliensis
(MPC-D 100/985)
The arm of
Velociraptor
was formed by the
humerus
(upper arm bone),
radius
and
ulna
(forearm bones), and
manus
(hand).
Velociraptor
, like other dromaeosaurids, had a large manus with three elongated
digits
(fingers), which ended up in strongly curved unguals (claw bones) that were similar in construction and flexibility to the wing bones of modern
birds
. The second digit was the longest of the three digits present, while the first was shortest. The structure of the
carpal
(wrist) bones prevented
pronation
of the wrist and forced the manus to be held with the
palmar
surface facing inward (
medially
), not downward. The
pes
(foot) anatomy of
Velociraptor
consisted of the metatarsusâa large element composed of three metatarsals of which the first one was extremely reduced in sizeâand four digits that developed large unguals. The first digit, as in other theropods, was a small
dewclaw
. The second digit, for which
Velociraptor
is most famous, was highly modified and held retracted off the ground, which caused
Velociraptor
and other dromaeosaurids to walk on only their third and fourth digits. It bore a relatively large, sickle-shaped claw, typical of dromaeosaurid and
troodontid
dinosaurs. This enlarged claw, which could grow to over 6.5Â cm (2.6Â in) long around its outer edge, was most likely a predatory device used to restrain struggling prey.
[
11
]
[
10
]
Skeletal reconstruction of
V. mongoliensis
(MPC-D 100/25)
As in other dromaeosaurs,
Velociraptor
tails had
prezygapophyses
(long bony projections) on the upper surfaces of the
vertebrae
, as well as
ossified
tendons
underneath. The prezygapophyses began on the tenth tail (caudal) vertebra and extended forward to brace four to ten additional vertebrae, depending on position in the tail. These were once thought to fully stiffen the tail, forcing the entire tail to act as a single rod-like unit. However, at least one specimen has preserved a series of intact tail vertebrae curved sideways into an
S
-shape, suggesting that there was considerably more horizontal flexibility than once thought.
[
11
]
[
10
]
[
32
]
Classification
Velociraptor
is a member of the group
Eudromaeosauria
, a
derived
sub-group of the larger family Dromaeosauridae. It is often placed within its own subfamily,
Velociraptorinae
. In
phylogenetic taxonomy
, Velociraptorinae is usually defined as "all dromaeosaurs more closely related to
Velociraptor
than to
Dromaeosaurus
." However, dromaeosaurid classification is highly variable. Originally, the subfamily Velociraptorinae was erected solely to contain
Velociraptor
.
[
5
]
Other analyses have often included other genera, usually
Deinonychus
and
Saurornitholestes
,
[
33
]
and more recently
Tsaagan
.
[
34
]
Several studies published during the 2010s, including expanded versions of the analyses that found support for Velociraptorinae, have failed to resolve it as a distinct group, but rather have suggested it is a paraphyletic grade which gave rise to the
Dromaeosaurinae
.
[
35
]
[
36
]
When first described in 1924,
Velociraptor
was placed in the family
Megalosauridae
, as was the case with most carnivorous dinosaurs at the time (Megalosauridae, like
Megalosaurus
, functioned as a sort of 'wastebin' taxon, where many unrelated species were grouped together).
[
3
]
As dinosaur discoveries multiplied,
Velociraptor
was later recognized as a dromaeosaurid. All dromaeosaurids have also been referred to the family
Archaeopterygidae
by at least one author (which would, in effect, make
Velociraptor
a flightless bird).
[
37
]
In the past, other dromaeosaurid species, including
Deinonychus antirrhopus
and
Saurornitholestes langstoni
, have sometimes been classified in the genus
Velociraptor
. Since
Velociraptor
was the first to be named, these species were renamed
Velociraptor antirrhopus
and
V. langstoni
.
[
22
]
As of 2008,
the only currently recognized species of
Velociraptor
are
V. mongoliensis
[
14
]
[
37
]
[
38
]
and
V. osmolskae
.
[
15
]
However, several studies have found "
V.
"
osmolskae
to be distantly related to
V. mongoliensis
.
[
39
]
[
40
]
Size of
Velociraptor
(2) compared with other dromaeosaurs
Comparison of some members of
Velociraptorinae
, featuring
Linheraptor
,
Tsaagan
and
Velociraptor
Below are the results for the Eudromaeosauria
phylogeny
based on the
phylogenetic analysis
conducted by James G. Napoli and team in 2021 during the description of
Kuru
, showing the position of
Velociraptor
:
[
27
]
Eudromaeosauria
Saurornitholestes
Bambiraptor
Dromaeosaurinae
Achillobator
Utahraptor
Dromaeosaurus
Velociraptorinae
Deinonychus
Balaur
Shri
Velociraptor
Paleobiology
Feathers
In 2007 Alan H. Turner and colleagues reported the presence of six
quill knobs
in the ulna of a referred
Velociraptor
specimen (IGM 100/981) from the Ukhaa Tolgod locality of the
Djadochta Formation
. Turner and colleagues interpreted the presence of feathers on
Velociraptor
as evidence against the idea that the larger, flightless
maniraptorans
lost their feathers secondarily due to larger body size. Furthermore, they noted that quill knobs are almost never found in flightless bird species today, and that their presence in
Velociraptor
(presumed to have been flightless due to its relatively large size and short forelimbs) is evidence that the ancestors of dromaeosaurids could fly, making
Velociraptor
and other large members of this family secondarily flightless, though it is possible the large wing feathers inferred in the ancestors of
Velociraptor
had a purpose other than flight. The feathers of the flightless
Velociraptor
may have been used for display, for covering their nests while brooding, or for added speed and thrust when running up inclined slopes.
[
26
]
Because of the presence of another dromaeosaurid in Ukhaa Tolgod,
Tsaagan
, Napoli and team have noted that the referral of this specimen to
Velociraptor
is currently subject to reexamination.
[
27
]
Senses
Examinations of the endocranium of
Velociraptor
indicate that it was able to detect and hear a wide range of sound frequencies (2,368â3,965Â Hz) and could track prey with ease as a result. The endocranium examinations also further cemented the theory that the dromaeosaur was an agile, swift predator. Fossil evidence suggesting
Velociraptor
scavenged also indicates that it was an opportunistic and actively predatory animal, feeding on carrion during times of drought or famine, if in poor health, or depending on the animal's age.
[
41
]
Feeding
Isolated tooth of ZPAL MgD-I/97a
In 2020, Powers and colleagues re-examined the
maxillae
of several
eudromaeosaur
taxa concluding that most Asian and North American eudromaeosaurs were separated by snout morphology and ecological strategies. They found the maxilla to be a reliable reference when inferring the shape of the
premaxilla
and overall
snout
. For instance, most Asian species have elongated snouts based on the maxilla (namely
velociraptorines
), indicating a selective feeding in
Velociraptor
and relatives, such as picking up small, fast prey. In contrast, most North American eudromaeosaurs, mostly dromaeosaurines, feature a robust and deep maxillar morphology. However, the large dromaeosurine
Achillobator
is a unique exception to Asian taxa with its deep maxilla.
[
42
]
Manabu Sakamoto in 2022 performed a Bayesian phylogenetic predictive modelling framework for estimating jaw muscle parameters and bite forces of several extinct archosaurs, based on skull widths and phylogenetic relationships between groups. Among studied taxa,
Velociraptor
was scored with a bite force of 304
N
, which was lower than that of other dromaeosaurids such as
Dromaeosaurus
(885 N) or
Deinonychus
(706 N).
[
43
]
Predatory behavior
The "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen of
V. mongoliensis
and
Protoceratops andrewsi
and restoration of same
The "
Fighting Dinosaurs
" specimen, found in 1971, preserves a
Velociraptor mongoliensis
and
Protoceratops andrewsi
in combat and provides direct evidence of predatory behavior. When originally reported, it was hypothesized that the two animals drowned.
[
7
]
However, as the animals were preserved in ancient sand dune deposits, it is now thought that the animals were buried in sand, either from a collapsing dune or in a
sandstorm
. Burial must have been extremely rapid, judging from the lifelike poses in which the animals were preserved. Parts of the
Protoceratops
are missing, which has been seen as evidence of
scavenging
by other animals.
[
44
]
Comparisons between the
scleral rings
of
Velociraptor
,
Protoceratops
, and modern birds and reptiles indicates that
Velociraptor
may have been
nocturnal
, while
Protoceratops
may have been
cathemeral
, active throughout the day during short intervals, suggesting that the fight may have occurred at twilight or during low-light conditions.
[
45
]
Size comparison of the Fighting Dinosaurs
The distinctive claw, on the second digit of dromaeosaurids, has traditionally been depicted as a slashing weapon; its assumed use being to cut and
disembowel
prey.
[
46
]
In the "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen, the
Velociraptor
lies underneath, with one of its sickle claws apparently embedded in the throat of its prey, while the beak of
Protoceratops
is clamped down upon the right forelimb of its attacker. This suggests
Velociraptor
may have used its sickle claw to pierce vital organs of the throat, such as the
jugular vein
,
carotid artery
, or
trachea
(windpipe), rather than slashing the abdomen. The inside edge of the claw was rounded and not unusually sharp, which may have precluded any sort of cutting or slashing action, although only the bony core of the claw is preserved. The thick abdominal wall of
skin
and
muscle
of large prey species would have been difficult to slash without a specialized cutting surface.
[
44
]
The slashing
hypothesis
was tested during a 2005
BBC
documentary,
The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs
. The producers of the program created an artificial
Velociraptor
leg with a sickle claw and used a
pork belly
to simulate the dinosaur's prey. Though the sickle claw did penetrate the abdominal wall, it was unable to tear it open, indicating that the claw was not used to disembowel prey.
[
47
]
Remains of
Deinonychus
, a closely related dromaeosaurid, have commonly been found in aggregations of several individuals.
Deinonychus
has also been found in association with the large ornithopod
Tenontosaurus
, which has been cited as evidence of cooperative (pack) hunting.
[
48
]
[
49
]
However, the only solid evidence for social behavior of any kind among dromaeosaurids comes from a Chinese trackway which shows six individuals of a large species moving as a group.
[
50
]
Although many isolated fossils of
Velociraptor
have been found in Mongolia, none were closely associated with other individuals.
[
38
]
Therefore, while
Velociraptor
is commonly depicted as a
pack hunter
, as in
Jurassic Park
, there is only limited fossil evidence to support this theory for dromaeosaurids in general and none specific to
Velociraptor
itself. Dromeosaur footprints in China suggest that a few other raptor genera may have hunted in packs, but there have been no conclusive examples of pack behavior found.
[
51
]
[
52
]
V. mongoliensis
restraining an
oviraptorosaur
with its sickle claws
In 2011, Denver Fowler and colleagues suggested a new method by which dromaeosaurs like
Velociraptor
and similar dromaeosaurs may have captured and restrained prey. This model, known as the "raptor prey restraint" (RPR) model of predation, proposes that dromaeosaurs killed their prey in a manner very similar to extant
accipitrid
birds of prey
: by leaping onto their quarry, pinning it under their body weight, and gripping it tightly with the large, sickle-shaped claws. These researchers proposed that, like accipitrids, the dromaeosaur would then begin to feed on the animal while it was still alive, and prey death would eventually result from blood loss and organ failure. This proposal is based primarily on comparisons between the morphology and proportions of the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs to several groups of extant birds of prey with known predatory behaviors. Fowler found that the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs most closely resemble those of
eagles
and
hawks
, especially in terms of having an enlarged second claw and a similar range of grasping motion. The short
metatarsus
and foot strength, however, would have been more similar to that of
owls
. The RPR method of predation would be consistent with other aspects of
Velociraptor
'
s anatomy, such as their unusual jaw and arm morphology. The arms, which could exert a lot of force but were likely covered in long feathers, may have been used as flapping stabilizers for balance while atop a struggling prey animal, along with the stiff counterbalancing tail. The jaws, thought by Fowler and colleagues to be comparatively weak, would have been useful for row saw motion bites like the modern day
Komodo dragon
, which also has a weak bite, to finish off its prey if the kicks were not powerful enough. These predatory adaptations working together may also have implications for the
origin of flapping
in
paravians
.
[
32
]
Scavenging behavior
In 2010, Hone and colleagues published a paper on their 2008 discovery of shed teeth of what they believed to be a
Velociraptor
near a tooth-marked jaw bone of what they believed to be a
Protoceratops
in the Bayan Mandahu Formation. The authors concluded that the find represented "late-stage carcass consumption by
Velociraptor
" as the predator would have eaten other parts of a freshly killed
Protoceratops
before biting in the jaw area. The evidence was seen as supporting the inference from the "Fighting Dinosaurs" fossil that
Protoceratops
was part of the diet of
Velociraptor
.
[
53
]
In 2012, Hone and colleagues published a paper that described a
Velociraptor
specimen with a long bone of an
azhdarchid
pterosaur
in its gut. This was interpreted as showing scavenging behaviour.
[
54
]
In a 2024 study by Tse, Miller, and Pittman et al., focusing on the skull morphology and bite forces of various dromaeosaurids, it was discovered that
Velociraptor
had high bite force resistance compared to other dromaeosaurids such as
Dromaeosaurus
itself and
Deinonychus
, the latter of which was much larger. It is theorized by the authors that high bite force resistance was an adaptation towards obtaining food through scavenging more often than through active predation in
Velociraptor
.
[
55
]
Metabolism
3D scan and nasal cavity reconstruction of
V. mongoliensis
skull MPC-D 100/54
Velociraptor
was
warm-blooded
to some degree, as it required a significant amount of energy to hunt. Modern animals that possess feathery or furry coats, like
Velociraptor
did, tend to be warm-blooded, since these coverings function as insulation. However, bone growth rates in dromaeosaurids and some early birds suggest a more moderate
metabolism
, compared with most modern warm-blooded mammals and birds. The
kiwi
is similar to dromaeosaurids in anatomy, feather type, bone structure and even the narrow anatomy of the nasal passages (usually a key indicator of metabolism). The kiwi is a highly active, if specialized, flightless bird, with a stable body temperature and a fairly low resting metabolic rate, making it a good model for the metabolism of primitive birds and dromaeosaurids.
[
37
]
In 2023, Seishiro Tada and team examined the nasal cavities of
ectotherm
(cold-blooded) or
endotherm
(warm-blooded) species, in order to evaluate the
thermoregulatory
physiology of non-avian dinosaurs compared to these groups. They found that the size of the nasal cavity relative to the head size of extant endotherms is larger than those of extant ectotherms, and among taxa,
Velociraptor
was recovered below the extant endotherms level by reconstructing its nasal respiratory cavity. Tada with team suggested that
Velociraptor
and most other non-avian dinosaurs may not have possessed a fully or well-developed nasal thermoregulation apparatus as modern endothermic animals do.
[
56
]
Paleopathology
Norell with colleagues in 1995 reported one
V. mongoliensis
skull bearing two parallel rows of small punctures on its frontal bones that, upon closer examination, match the spacing and size of
Velociraptor
teeth. They suggested that the wound was likely inflicted by another
Velociraptor
during a
fight within the species
. Because its bone structure shows no sign of
healing
near the bite wounds and the overall specimen was not scavenged, this individual was likely killed by this fatal wound.
[
57
]
In 2001 Molnar and team noted that this specimen is MPC-D 100/976 hailing from the Tugrik Shireh locality, which has also yielded the Fighting Dinosaurs specimen.
[
58
]
In 2012 David Hone and team reported another injured
Velociraptor
specimen (MPC-D 100/54, roughly a sub-adult individual) found with the bones of an
azhdarchid
pterosaur within its stomach cavity, was carrying or recovering from an injury sustained to one broken rib. From evidence on the pterosaur bones, which were devoid of pitting or deformations from digestion, the
Velociraptor
died shortly after, possibly from the earlier injury. Nevertheless, the team noted that this broken ribs shows signs of bone healing.
[
54
]
Paleoenvironment
Bayan Mandahu Formation
Restoration of related
Linheraptor
in paleoenvironment
In both
Bayan Mandahu
and Djadochta formations many of the same genera were present, though they varied at the species level. These differences in species composition may be due a natural barrier separating the two formations, which are relatively close to each other geographically.
[
15
]
However, given the lack of any known barrier which would cause the specific faunal compositions found in these areas, it is more likely that those differences indicate a slight time difference.
[
59
]
V. osmolskae
lived alongside the ankylosaurid
Pinacosaurus mephistocephalus
; alvarezsaurid
Linhenykus
; closely related dromaeosaurid
Linheraptor
; oviraptorids
Machairasaurus
and
Wulatelong
; protoceratopsids
Bagaceratops
and
Protoceratops hellenikorhinus
; and troodontids
Linhevenator
,
Papiliovenator
, and
Philovenator
.
[
59
]
Sediments across the formation indicate a similar depositional environment to that of the Djadochta Formation.
[
60
]
Djadochta Formation
Restoration of
V. mongoliensis
in the arid Djadochta settings
Known specimens of
Velociraptor mongoliensis
have been recovered from the
Djadochta Formation
(also spelled Djadokhta), in the
Mongolian
province of
Ămnögovi
. This
geological formation
is estimated to date back to the
Campanian
stage
(between 75 million and 71 million years ago) of the
Late Cretaceous
epoch
.
[
61
]
The abundant sedimentsâ
sands
,
sandstones
, or
caliche
âof the Djadochta Formation were deposited by
eolian
(wind) processes in arid settings with fields of sand
dunes
and only intermittent
streams
, as indicated by very sparse
fluvial
(river-deposited) sedimentation, under a
semi-arid climate
.
[
62
]
[
61
]
[
63
]
The Djadochta Formation is separated into a lower Bayn Dzak Member and upper Turgrugyin Member.
V. mongoliensis
is known from both members, represented by numerous specimens.
[
61
]
The Bayn Dzak Member (mainly Bayn Dzak locality) has yielded the oviraptorid
Oviraptor
; ankylosaurid
Pinacosaurus grangeri
; protoceratopsid
Protoceratops andrewsi
; and troodontid
Saurornithoides
.
[
3
]
[
61
]
The younger Turgrugyin Member (mainly Tugriken Shireh locality) has produced the bird
Elsornis
; dromaeosaurid
Mahakala
: ornithomimid
Aepyornithomimus
; and protoceratopsid
Protoceratops andrewsi
.
[
64
]
[
65
]
V. mongoliensis
has been found at many of the most famous and prolific Djadochta localities. The type specimen was discovered at the
Flaming Cliffs
site (sublocality of the larger Bayn Dzak locality/region),
[
3
]
while the "Fighting Dinosaurs" were found at the Tugrik Shire locality (also known as Tugrugeen Shireh and many other spellings).
[
6
]
The latter is notorious for its exceptional
in situ
fossil preservation. Based on deposits (such as structureless sandstones), it has been concluded that a large number of specimens were buried alive during powerful sand-bearing events, common to these paleoenvironments.
[
66
]
Cultural significance
The "Dinosaur Input Device"
Velociraptor
used for creating some of the
CGI
effects in
Jurassic Park
(left), and the design from the
Jurassic World
trilogy, Hong Kong (right)
Velociraptor
is commonly perceived as a vicious and cunning killer thanks to their portrayal in the 1990 novel
Jurassic Park
by
Michael Crichton
and its 1993
film adaptation
, directed by
Steven Spielberg
. The
"raptors" portrayed in
Jurassic Park
were actually modeled after the closely related
dromaeosaurid
Deinonychus
. Paleontologists in both the novel and film excavate a skeleton in
Montana
, far from the central Asian range of
Velociraptor
but characteristic of the
Deinonychus
range.
[
67
]
Crichton met with the discoverer of
Deinonychus
,
John Ostrom
, several times at
Yale University
to discuss details of the animal's possible range of behaviors and appearance. Crichton at one point apologetically told Ostrom that he had decided to use the name
Velociraptor
in place of
Deinonychus
because the former name was "more dramatic." According to Ostrom, Crichton stated that the
Velociraptor
of the novel was based on
Deinonychus
in almost every detail, and that only the name had been changed. The
Jurassic Park
filmmakers also requested all of Ostrom's published papers on
Deinonychus
during production.
[
68
]
They portrayed the animals with the size, proportions, and snout shape of
Deinonychus
rather than
Velociraptor
.
[
69
]
[
70
]
Production on
Jurassic Park
began before the discovery of the large dromaeosaurid
Utahraptor
was made public in 1991, but as Jody Duncan wrote about this discovery: "Later, after we had designed and built the raptor, there was a discovery of a raptor skeleton in Utah, which they labeled 'super-slasher.' They had uncovered the largest Velociraptor to date and it measured five-and-a-half-feet tall, just like ours. So we designed it, we built it, and then they discovered it. That still boggles my mind."
[
69
]
Spielberg's name was briefly considered for naming of the new dinosaur in exchange for funding of field work, but no agreement was reached.
[
71
]
Jurassic Park
and its sequel
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
were released before the discovery that dromaeosaurs had feathers, so the
Velociraptor
in both films were depicted as scaled and featherless. For
Jurassic Park III
,
the male
Velociraptor
was given quill-like structures along the back of the head and neck, but these structures do not resemble the feathers that
Velociraptor
would have had in reality due to reasons of continuity.
[
72
]
The
Jurassic World
sequel trilogy ignored the feathers of
Velociraptor
, adhering to the designs from
Jurassic Park
.
[
73
]
However, the dromaeosaur
Pyroraptor
was feathered for
Jurassic World Dominion
, along with other changes such as stiffening the tail to account for ossified tendons and de-pronating the hands.
[
74
]
See also
Fighting Dinosaurs
Timeline of dromaeosaurid research
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor)
- [1 History of discovery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#History_of_discovery)
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- [1\.1 Additional species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Additional_species)
- [2 Description](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Description)
Toggle Description subsection
- [2\.1 Skull](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Skull)
- [2\.2 Postcranial skeleton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Postcranial_skeleton)
- [3 Classification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Classification)
- [4 Paleobiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Paleobiology)
Toggle Paleobiology subsection
- [4\.1 Feathers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Feathers)
- [4\.2 Senses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Senses)
- [4\.3 Feeding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Feeding)
- [4\.4 Predatory behavior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Predatory_behavior)
- [4\.5 Scavenging behavior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Scavenging_behavior)
- [4\.6 Metabolism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Metabolism)
- [4\.7 Paleopathology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Paleopathology)
- [5 Paleoenvironment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Paleoenvironment)
Toggle Paleoenvironment subsection
- [5\.1 Bayan Mandahu Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Bayan_Mandahu_Formation)
- [5\.2 Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Djadochta_Formation)
- [6 Cultural significance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#Cultural_significance)
- [7 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#See_also)
- [8 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#References)
- [9 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# *Velociraptor*
73 languages
- [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Afrikaans")
- [AragonĂ©s](https://an.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Aragonese")
- [ۧÙŰč۱ۚÙŰ©](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1 "ÙÙÙÙŰłÙ۱ۧۚŰȘÙ۱ â Arabic")
- [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Asturian")
- [AzÉrbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velosiraptor "Velosiraptor â Azerbaijani")
- [Basa Bali](https://ban.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Balinese")
- [ĆœemaitÄĆĄka](https://bat-smg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veluoceraptuorios "Veluoceraptuorios â Samogitian")
- [ĐŃлгаŃŃĐșĐž](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8 "ĐĐ”Đ»ĐŸŃĐžŃапŃĐŸŃĐž â Bulgarian")
- [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velosiraptor "Velosiraptor â Breton")
- [CatalĂ ](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Catalan")
- [Cebuano](https://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Cebuano")
- [áŁáłá©](https://chr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%8E%A0%E1%8E%A6%E1%8E%B3%E1%8F%91%E1%8E%AC "á áŠáłáᏠâ Cherokee")
- [ÄeĆĄtina](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Czech")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â German")
- [ÎλληΜÎčÎșÎŹ](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%92%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%83%CE%B9%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%80%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%82 "ÎΔλοÏÎčÏÎŹÏÏÎżÏÎ±Ï â Greek")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Esperanto")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Spanish")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Basque")
- [Ùۧ۱۳Û](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%BE%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1 "ÙÙÙŰłÛŰ±Ű§ÙŸŰȘÙ۱ â Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Finnish")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â French")
- [Gaeilge](https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veileasaraptar "Veileasaraptar â Irish")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Galician")
- [HawaiÊ»i](https://haw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welokirapetoa "Welokirapetoa â Hawaiian")
- [ŚąŚŚšŚŚȘ](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A8 "ŚŚŚŚŠŚŚšŚ€ŚŚŚš â Hebrew")
- [à€čà€żà€šà„à€Šà„](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%B0 "à€”à„à€Čà„à€žà€żà€°à„à€Șà„à€à€° â Hindi")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Croatian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Hungarian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Indonesian")
- [Ăslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snare%C3%B0la "Snareðla â Icelandic")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Italian")
- [æ„æŹèȘ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A7%E3%83%AD%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A9%E3%83%97%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB "ăŽă§ăăă©ăăă« â Japanese")
- [Jawa](https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Javanese")
- [á„áá ááŁáá](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%95%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%9D%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%A0%E1%83%90%E1%83%9E%E1%83%A2%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98 "áááááȘáá áááąáá á â Georgian")
- [ÒазаÒŃа](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80 "ĐĐ”Đ»ĐŸŃĐžŃапŃĐŸŃ â Kazakh")
- [íê”ìŽ](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%B2%A8%EB%A1%9C%ED%82%A4%EB%9E%8D%ED%86%A0%EB%A5%B4 "ëČšëĄí€ëí 넎 â Korean")
- [Latina](https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Latin")
- [Limburgs](https://li.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Limburgish")
- [LietuviĆł](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorius "Velociraptorius â Lithuanian")
- [LatvieĆĄu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velosireptors "Velosireptors â Latvian")
- [àŽźàŽČàŽŻàŽŸàŽłàŽ](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%B5%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B1%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%BC "àŽ”à”àŽČà”àŽžàŽżàŽ±àŽŸàŽȘà”àŽ±à”àŽ±à”Œ â Malayalam")
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Malay")
- [NÄhuatl](https://nah.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Nahuatl")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Dutch")
- [Norsk nynorsk](https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Norwegian Nynorsk")
- [Norsk bokmĂ„l](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Norwegian BokmĂ„l")
- [Occitan](https://oc.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Occitan")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welociraptor "Welociraptor â Polish")
- [PortuguĂȘs](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Portuguese")
- [RomĂąnÄ](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Romanian")
- [Đ ŃŃŃĐșĐžĐč](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80 "ĐĐ”Đ»ĐŸŃĐžŃапŃĐŸŃ â Russian")
- [Sicilianu](https://scn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Sicilian")
- [Scots](https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Scots")
- [Srpskohrvatski / ŃŃĐżŃĐșĐŸŃ
ŃĐČаŃŃĐșĐž](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Serbo-Croatian")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Simple English")
- [SlovenÄina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Slovak")
- [SlovenĆĄÄina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Slovenian")
- [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptori "Velociraptori â Albanian")
- [ĐĄŃĐżŃĐșĐž / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Serbian")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Swedish")
- [àź€àźźàźżàźŽàŻ](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D "àź”àŻàźČàźŸàźàźżàź°àźŸàźȘàŻàźàź°àŻ â Tamil")
- [àčàžàžą](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C "àž§àžŽàž„àžàžàžŽàčàžŁàžàčàžàžàžŁàč â Thai")
- [Tagalog](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Tagalog")
- [Toki pona](https://tok.wikipedia.org/wiki/akesi_Welosilato "akesi Welosilato â Toki Pona")
- [TĂŒrkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Turkish")
- [ĐŁĐșŃаŃĐœŃŃĐșа](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80 "ĐĐ”Đ»ĐŸŃĐžŃапŃĐŸŃ â Ukrainian")
- [OÊ»zbekcha / ŃзбДĐșŃа](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Uzbek")
- [Tiáșżng Viá»t](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Vietnamese")
- [Winaray](https://war.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "Velociraptor â Waray")
- [ćŽèŻ](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%B6%E7%9B%97%E9%BE%99%E5%B1%9E "䌶çéŸć± â Wu")
- [çČ”èȘ](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%B6%E7%9B%9C%E9%BE%8D%E5%B1%AC "䌶çéŸć±Ź â Cantonese")
- [äžæ](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%B6%E7%9B%9C%E9%BE%8D%E5%B1%AC "䌶çéŸć±Ź â Chinese")
[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q14403#sitelinks-wikipedia "Edit interlanguage links")
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genus of Late Cretaceous dinosaur
For other uses, see [Velociraptor (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor_\(disambiguation\) "Velociraptor (disambiguation)").
| *Velociraptor* Temporal range: [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous"), ~ 75â71 [Ma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaannum "Megaannum") [Preê](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian "Precambrian") [ê](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian "Cambrian") [O](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordovician "Ordovician") [S](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silurian "Silurian") [D](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonian "Devonian") [C](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous "Carboniferous") [P](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permian "Permian") [T](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triassic "Triassic") [J](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic "Jurassic") [K](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous "Cretaceous") [Pg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleogene "Paleogene") [N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neogene "Neogene") â Possible later [Maastrichtian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastrichtian "Maastrichtian") record[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-auto-1) | |
|---|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_skeleton_white_background.jpg) | |
| Mounted *V. mongoliensis* cast at [Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Belgian_Institute_of_Natural_Sciences "Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences") | |
| [Scientific classification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_\(biology\) "Taxonomy (biology)") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Taxonomy/Velociraptor "Edit this classification") | |
| Kingdom: | [Animalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal "Animal") |
| Phylum: | [Chordata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordate "Chordate") |
| Class: | [Reptilia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile "Reptile") |
| *Clade*: | [Dinosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur "Dinosaur") |
| *Clade*: | [Saurischia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurischia "Saurischia") |
| *Clade*: | [Theropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda "Theropoda") |
| Family: | â [Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") |
| *Clade*: | â [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") |
| Subfamily: | â [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae") |
| Genus: | â [*Velociraptor*]() [Osborn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Fairfield_Osborn "Henry Fairfield Osborn"), 1924 |
| [Type species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_species "Type species") | |
| â ***Velociraptor mongoliensis*** Osborn, 1924 | |
| Other species | |
| â ***V.? osmolskae*** [Godefroit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Godefroit "Pascal Godefroit") et al., 2008 | |
***Velociraptor*** ([/vÉËlÉsÉȘËrĂŠptÉr, vÉËlÉsÉȘrĂŠptÉr/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English "Help:IPA/English");[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-2) lit. 'swift thief') is a [genus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus "Genus") of small [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurid "Dromaeosaurid") [dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur "Dinosaur") that lived in [Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia "Asia") during the [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous") epoch, about 75 million to 71 [million years ago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_years_ago "Million years ago") (Mya). Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The [type species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_species "Type species") is ***V. mongoliensis***, named and described in 1924. [Fossils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil "Fossil") of this species have been discovered in the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"), [Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia "Mongolia"). A second species, ***V. osmolskae***, was named in 2008 for skull material from the [Bayan Mandahu Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation"), [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China"). A possible record is known from the [Nemegt Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemegt_Formation "Nemegt Formation").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-auto-1)
Smaller than other dromaeosaurids like *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* and *[Achillobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillobator "Achillobator")*, *Velociraptor* was about 1.5â2.07 m (4.9â6.8 ft) long with a body mass of around 14.1â19.7 kg (31â43 lb). It nevertheless shared many of the same [anatomical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomy "Anatomy") features. It was a [bipedal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biped "Biped"), [feathered](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather "Feather") [carnivore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore "Carnivore") with a long tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped [claw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claw "Claw") on each hindfoot, which is thought to have been used to tackle and restrain [prey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation "Predation"). *Velociraptor* can be distinguished from other dromaeosaurids by its long and low [skull](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull "Skull"), with an upturned [snout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snout "Snout").
*Velociraptor* (commonly referred to as "raptor") is one of the dinosaur genera most familiar to the general public due to its [prominent role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptors_in_Jurassic_Park "Velociraptors in Jurassic Park") in the *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(franchise\) "Jurassic Park (franchise)")* films. In reality, however, *Velociraptor* was roughly the size of a [turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_\(bird\) "Turkey (bird)"), considerably smaller than the approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and 90 kg (200 lb) reptiles seen in the novels and films (which were based on members of the related genus *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*). Today, *Velociraptor* is well known to [paleontologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology "Paleontology"), with over a dozen described fossil skeletons. [One particularly famous specimen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs") preserves a *Velociraptor* locked in combat with a *[Protoceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")*.
## History of discovery
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bayanzag_\(Flaming_Cliffs\).jpg)
The [Flaming Cliffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Cliffs "Flaming Cliffs"), Mongolia in 2018
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_mongoliensis_type_skull_and_jaws.jpg)
Line diagram of *V. mongoliensis* holotype skull and associated manual ungual
During an [American Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History "American Museum of Natural History") expedition to the [Flaming Cliffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Cliffs "Flaming Cliffs") (Bayn Dzak or Bayanzag) of the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"), [Gobi Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobi_Desert "Gobi Desert"), on 11 August 1923, Peter Kaisen discovered the first *Velociraptor* fossil known to scienceâa crushed but complete skull, associated with one manual claw and adjoining [phalanges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_bone "Phalanx bone") ([AMNH](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMNH "AMNH") 6515). In 1924, museum president [Henry Fairfield Osborn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Fairfield_Osborn "Henry Fairfield Osborn") designated the skull and part of the manus as the [type specimen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_specimen "Type specimen") of his new genus, *Velociraptor*. This name is derived from the [Latin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin "Latin") words *velox* ('swift') and *raptor* ('robber' or 'plunderer') and refers to the animal's [cursorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursorial "Cursorial") nature and carnivorous diet. Osborn named the type species *V. mongoliensis* after its country of origin.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) Earlier that year, Osborn had informally mentioned the animal in a popular press article, under the name "Ovoraptor djadochtari" (not to be confused with the similarly named *[Oviraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptor "Oviraptor")*),[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924b-4) eventually changed into *V. mongoliensis* during its formal description.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3)
While North American teams were shut out of [communist Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_People%27s_Republic "Mongolian People's Republic") during the [Cold War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War "Cold War"), expeditions by [Soviet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union "Soviet Union") and [Polish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People%27s_Republic "Polish People's Republic") scientists, in collaboration with Mongolian colleagues, recovered several more specimens of *Velociraptor*. The most famous is part of the "[Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")" specimen ([MPC-D](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mongolian_Paleontological_Center&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mongolian Paleontological Center (page does not exist)") 100/25; formerly IGM, GIN, or GI SPS), discovered by a Polish-Mongolian team in 1971. The fossil preserves a *Velociraptor* in battle against a *[Protoceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")*.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1983-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-kjbarsbold1972-6)[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1974-7) It is considered a national treasure of Mongolia, and in 2000 it was loaned to the American Museum of Natural History in [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") for a temporary exhibition.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-amnh-8)
Between 1988 and 1990, a joint [Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China")\-[Canadian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadians "Canadians") team discovered *Velociraptor* remains in northern China.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-jerzykiewiczetal1993-9) American scientists returned to Mongolia in 1990, and a joint Mongolian-American expedition to the Gobi, led by the American Museum of Natural History and the [Mongolian Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_Academy_of_Sciences "Mongolian Academy of Sciences"), turned up several well-preserved skeletons.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11) One such specimen, MPC-D 100/980, was nicknamed "Ichabodcraniosaurus" by Norell's team because the fairly complete specimen was found without its skull (an allusion to the [Washington Irving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Irving "Washington Irving") character [Ichabod Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichabod_Crane "Ichabod Crane")).[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-novacek1996-12) While Norell and Makovicky provisionally considered it a specimen of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*,[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10) it was named as a new species *[Shri devi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_\(genus\) "Shri (genus)")* in 2021.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-turner2021-13)
In 1999, [Rinchen Barsbold](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinchen_Barsbold "Rinchen Barsbold") and [Halszka OsmĂłlska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszka_Osm%C3%B3lska "Halszka OsmĂłlska") reported a juvenile *Velociraptor* specimen (GIN or IGM 100/2000), represented by a complete skeleton including the skull of a young individual. It was found at the Tugriken Shireh locality of the Djadochta Formation during the context of the Mongolian-Japanese Palaeontological Expeditions. The coauthors stated that detailed descriptions of this and other specimens would be published at a later date.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
### Additional species
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptorine_skulls.png)
[Velociraptorine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorine "Velociraptorine") skulls, B, D, E are *V. mongoliensis*, C is *V* sp., and F is *V. osmolskae* (known parts in gray)
[Maxillae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxilla "Maxilla") and a [lacrimal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrimal_bone "Lacrimal bone") (the main tooth-bearing bones of the upper jaw, and the bone that forms the anterior margin of the eye socket, respectively) recovered from the [Bayan Mandahu Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation") in 1999 by the Sino-Belgian Dinosaur Expeditions were found to pertain to *Velociraptor*, but not to the type species *V. mongoliensis*. [Pascal Godefroit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Godefroit "Pascal Godefroit") and colleagues named these bones *V. osmolskae* (for Polish paleontologist [Halszka OsmĂłlska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszka_Osm%C3%B3lska "Halszka OsmĂłlska")) in 2008.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, the 2013 study noted that while "the elongate shape of the maxilla in *V. osmolskae* is similar to that of *V. mongoliensis*," phylogenetic analysis found it to be closer to *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")*, making the genus [paraphyletic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphyly "Paraphyly"); thus, *V. osmolskae* might not actually belong to the genus *Velociraptor* and requires reassessment.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-16)
Paleontologists Mark A. Norell and Peter J. Makovicky in 1997 described new and well preserved specimens of *V. mongoliensis*, namely MPC-D 100/985 collected from the Tugrik Shireh locality in 1993, and MPC-D 100/986 collected in 1993 from the Chimney Buttes locality. The team briefly mentioned another specimen, MPC-D 100/982, which by the time of this publication remained undescribed.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11) In 1999 Norell and Makovicky provided more insights into the anatomy of *Velociraptor* with additional specimens. Among these, MPC-D 100/982 was partially described and figured, and referred to *V. mongoliensis* mainly based on cranial similarities with the holotype skull, although they stated that differences were present between the pelvic region of this specimen and other *Velociraptor* specimens. This relatively well-preserved specimen including the skull was discovered and collected in 1995 at the Bayn Dzak locality (specifically at the "Volcano" sub-locality).[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10) Martin KundrĂĄt in a 2004 abstract compared the neurocranium of MPC-D 100/982 to another *Velociraptor* specimen, MPC-D 100/976. He concluded that the overall morphology of the former was more derived (advanced) than the latter, suggesting that they could represent distinct taxa.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-17)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_specimen_IGM.jpg)
*Velociraptor* specimen MPC-D 100/982, possibly a new species
Mark J. Powers in his 2020 master thesis fully described MPC-D 100/982, which he concluded to represent a new and third species of *Velociraptor*. This species, which he considered distinct, was stated to mainly differ from other *Velociraptor* species in having a shallow maxilla morphology.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-18) Powers and colleagues also in 2020 used [morphometric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphometric "Morphometric") analyses to compare several dromaeosaurid maxillae, and found the maxilla of MPC-D 100/982 to strongly differ from specimens referred to *Velociraptor*. They indicated that this specimen, based on these results, represents a different species.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-19) In 2021 Powers with team used [Principal Component Analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_Component_Analysis "Principal Component Analysis") to separate dromaeosaurid maxillae, most notably finding that MPC-D 100/982 falls outside the instraspecific variability of *V. mongoliensis*, arguing for a distinct species. They considered that both *V. mongoliensis* and this new species were ecologically separated based on their skull anatomy.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-20) The team in another 2021 abstract reinforced again the species-level separation, noting that additional differences can be found in the hindlimbs.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-21)
## Description
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_size.png)
*Velociraptor* specimens compared in size to a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) tall [human](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human "Human")
*Velociraptor* was a small to medium-sized [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurid "Dromaeosaurid"), with adults measuring between 1.5â2.07 m (4.9â6.8 ft) long, approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft) high at the hips,[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul1988-22)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-23) and weighing about 14.1â19.7 kg (31â43 lb).[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-24)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-25)
Prominent [quill knobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quill_knobs "Quill knobs")âattachment site of "[wing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing "Wing")" feathers and direct indicator of a [feather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather "Feather") coveringâhave been reported from the [ulna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulna "Ulna") of a single *Velociraptor* specimen (IGM 100/981), which represents an animal of estimated 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and 15 kg (33 lb) in weight. The spacing of 6 preserved knobs suggests that 8 additional knobs may have been present, giving a total of 14 quill knobs that developed large [secondaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_feather#Secondaries "Flight feather") ("wing" feathers stemming from the forearm).[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Turneer2007-26) However, the specimen number has been corrected to IGM 100/3503 and its referral to *Velociraptor* may require reevaluation, pending further study.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27) Nevertheless, there is strong [phylogenetic evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_bracketing "Phylogenetic bracketing") from other dromaeosaurid relatives that indicates the presence of feathers in *Velociraptor*, including dromaeosaurids such as *[Daurlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daurlong "Daurlong")*,[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-28) *[Microraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor "Microraptor")*,[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-29) or *[Zhenyuanlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhenyuanlong "Zhenyuanlong")*.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-30)
### Skull
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_Restoration.png)
Life restoration
The skull of *Velociraptor* was rather elongated and grew up to 23 cm (9.1 in) long. It was uniquely up-curved at the snout region, concave on the upper surface, and convex on the lower surface. The snout, which occupied about 60% of the entire skull length, was notably narrow and mainly formed by the nasal, premaxilla, and maxilla bones. The [premaxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#premaxilla "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was the anteriormost bone in the skull, and it was longer than taller. While its posterior end joined the nasal, the main body of the premaxilla touched the maxilla. The [maxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#maxilla "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was nearly triangular in shape and the largest element of the snout. On its center or main body, there was a depression developing a small oval to circular-shaped hole, called maxillary fenestra. Though in front of this fenestra were two small openings, referred to as promaxillary fenestrae. The posterior border of the maxilla formed (predominantly) the antorbital fenestra, one of the several large holes in the skull. Both premaxilla and maxilla had several [alveoli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_alveolus "Dental alveolus") ([tooth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth "Tooth") sockets) on their bottom surfaces. Above the maxilla and making contact with the premaxilla, there was the [nasal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#nasal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") bone. It was a thin/narrow and elongated bone contributing to the top surface of the snout. Together, both premaxilla and nasal bones gave form to the naris or narial fenestra (nostril opening), which was relatively large and circular. The posterior end of the nasal was joined by the frontal and lacrimal bones.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_25_skull.png)
Skull of MPC-D 100/25 ([Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs") individual), in lateral (A-C), top (B), bottom (D-E), and posterior (E) views
The back or posterior region of the skull was built by the frontal, lacrimal, postorbital, jugal, parietal, quadrate, and quadratojugal bones. The [frontal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#frontal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was large element, having a vaguely rectangular shape when seen from above. On its posterior end, this bone was in contact with the [parietal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#parietal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), and such elements were the main bodies of the [skull roof](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_roof "Skull roof"). The [lacrimal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#lacrimal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was a T-shaped bone and its main body was thin and delicated. Its lower end meet the [jugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#jugal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") (often called cheek bone), which was a large, sub-triangular-shaped element. Its lower border was notably straight/horizontal. The [postorbital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#postorbital "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was located just above the jugal: a stocky and strongly T-shaped bone. As a whole, the orbit or orbital fenestra (eye socket)âformed by the lacrimal, jugal, frontal, and postorbitalâwas large and near circular in shape, being longer than taller. When seen from above, a pair of large and markedly rounded holes were present near the rear of the skull (the temporal fenestrae), whose main components were the postorbital and squamosal. Behind the jugal, an inverted T-shaped bone (also seen in other dromaeosaurids), known as the [quadratojugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#quadratojugal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), was developed. While the upper end of the quadratojugal joined the [squamosal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#squamosal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), an irregularly-shaped element, its inner side meet the [quadrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#quadrate "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"). The latter was of great importance for the articulation with the lower jaw. The posteriormost bone was the [occipital bone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#occipital "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") and its projection the [occipital condyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_condyle "Occipital condyle"): a rounded and bulbous protuberance that meet the first vertebra of the neck.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_rostrum_\(holotype\).png)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_holotype_skull_\(labelled\).png)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_dentary_\(holotype\).png)
*V. mongoliensis* holotype skull (right), rostrum (left), and dentary (bottom)
The lower jaw of *Velociraptor* comprised mainly the dentary, splenial, angular, surangular, and articular bones. The [dentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#dentary "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was a very long, weakly curved, and narrow element that developed several alveoli on its top surface. On its posterior end, it meet the [surangular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#surangular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"). It had a small hole near its posterior end, called surangular foramen or fenestra. Both bones were the largest elements of the lower jaw of *Velociraptor*, contributing to virtually its entire length. Below them were the smaller [splenial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#splenial "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") and [angular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#angular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), closely articulated to each other. The [articular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#articular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), located on the inner side of the surangular, was a small element that joined the quadrate of the upper skull, enabling the articulation with the lower jaw. An elongated, near oval-shaped hole was developed in the center of the lower jaw (the mandibular fenestra), and it was produced by the joint of the dentary, surangular, and angular bones.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
The teeth of *Velociraptor* were fairly [homodont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homodont "Homodont") (equal in shape) and had several [denticles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denticle_\(tooth_feature\) "Denticle (tooth feature)") (serrations), each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front. The premaxilla had 4 alveoli (meaning that 4 teeth were developed), and the maxilla had 11 alveoli. At the dentary, between 14â15 alveoli were present. All teeth present at the premaxilla were poorly curved, and the two first teeth were the longest, with the second having a characteristic large size. The maxillary teeth were more slender, recurved, and most notably, the lower end was strongly more serrated than the upper one.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
### Postcranial skeleton
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_985_pes_line.png)
Line diagram of the pes of *V. mongoliensis* (MPC-D 100/985)
The arm of *Velociraptor* was formed by the [humerus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humerus "Humerus") (upper arm bone), [radius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radius_\(bone\) "Radius (bone)") and [ulna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulna "Ulna") (forearm bones), and [manus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manus_\(zoology\) "Manus (zoology)") (hand). *Velociraptor*, like other dromaeosaurids, had a large manus with three elongated [digits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit_\(anatomy\) "Digit (anatomy)") (fingers), which ended up in strongly curved unguals (claw bones) that were similar in construction and flexibility to the wing bones of modern [birds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird "Bird"). The second digit was the longest of the three digits present, while the first was shortest. The structure of the [carpal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal "Carpal") (wrist) bones prevented [pronation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronation "Pronation") of the wrist and forced the manus to be held with the [palmar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_terms_of_location "Anatomical terms of location") surface facing inward ([medially](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_and_medial "Lateral and medial")), not downward. The [pes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pes_\(anatomy\) "Pes (anatomy)") (foot) anatomy of *Velociraptor* consisted of the metatarsusâa large element composed of three metatarsals of which the first one was extremely reduced in sizeâand four digits that developed large unguals. The first digit, as in other theropods, was a small [dewclaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewclaw "Dewclaw"). The second digit, for which *Velociraptor* is most famous, was highly modified and held retracted off the ground, which caused *Velociraptor* and other dromaeosaurids to walk on only their third and fourth digits. It bore a relatively large, sickle-shaped claw, typical of dromaeosaurid and [troodontid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troodontid "Troodontid") dinosaurs. This enlarged claw, which could grow to over 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long around its outer edge, was most likely a predatory device used to restrain struggling prey.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor.jpg)
Skeletal reconstruction of *V. mongoliensis* (MPC-D 100/25)
As in other dromaeosaurs, *Velociraptor* tails had [prezygapophyses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prezygapophysis "Prezygapophysis") (long bony projections) on the upper surfaces of the [vertebrae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebra "Vertebra"), as well as [ossified](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossification "Ossification") [tendons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendon "Tendon") underneath. The prezygapophyses began on the tenth tail (caudal) vertebra and extended forward to brace four to ten additional vertebrae, depending on position in the tail. These were once thought to fully stiffen the tail, forcing the entire tail to act as a single rod-like unit. However, at least one specimen has preserved a series of intact tail vertebrae curved sideways into an *S*\-shape, suggesting that there was considerably more horizontal flexibility than once thought.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-fowler2011-32)
## Classification
*Velociraptor* is a member of the group [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria"), a [derived](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synapomorphy "Synapomorphy") sub-group of the larger family Dromaeosauridae. It is often placed within its own subfamily, [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae"). In [phylogenetic taxonomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_taxonomy "Phylogenetic taxonomy"), Velociraptorinae is usually defined as "all dromaeosaurs more closely related to *Velociraptor* than to *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")*." However, dromaeosaurid classification is highly variable. Originally, the subfamily Velociraptorinae was erected solely to contain *Velociraptor*.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1983-5) Other analyses have often included other genera, usually *Deinonychus* and *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")*,[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-currie1995-33) and more recently *Tsaagan*.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norelletal2006-34) Several studies published during the 2010s, including expanded versions of the analyses that found support for Velociraptorinae, have failed to resolve it as a distinct group, but rather have suggested it is a paraphyletic grade which gave rise to the [Dromaeosaurinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurinae "Dromaeosaurinae").[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-AurornisNature-35)[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-DePalma_et_al.-36)
When first described in 1924, *Velociraptor* was placed in the family [Megalosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalosauridae "Megalosauridae"), as was the case with most carnivorous dinosaurs at the time (Megalosauridae, like *[Megalosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalosaurus "Megalosaurus")*, functioned as a sort of 'wastebin' taxon, where many unrelated species were grouped together).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) As dinosaur discoveries multiplied, *Velociraptor* was later recognized as a dromaeosaurid. All dromaeosaurids have also been referred to the family [Archaeopterygidae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopterygidae "Archaeopterygidae") by at least one author (which would, in effect, make *Velociraptor* a flightless bird).[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37) In the past, other dromaeosaurid species, including *Deinonychus antirrhopus* and *Saurornitholestes langstoni*, have sometimes been classified in the genus *Velociraptor*. Since *Velociraptor* was the first to be named, these species were renamed *Velociraptor antirrhopus* and *V. langstoni*.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul1988-22) As of 2008,[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Velociraptor&action=edit) the only currently recognized species of *Velociraptor* are *V. mongoliensis*[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37)[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky2004-38) and *V. osmolskae*.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, several studies have found "*V.*" *osmolskae* to be distantly related to *V. mongoliensis*.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Currie2019-39)[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Jasinski2020-40)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dromaeosaurs.png)
Size of *Velociraptor* (2) compared with other dromaeosaurs
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptorines.jpg)
Comparison of some members of [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae"), featuring *Linheraptor*, *Tsaagan* and *Velociraptor*
Below are the results for the Eudromaeosauria [phylogeny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogeny "Phylogeny") based on the [phylogenetic analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetics "Phylogenetics") conducted by James G. Napoli and team in 2021 during the description of *[Kuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_kulla "Kuru kulla")*, showing the position of *Velociraptor*:[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27)
| | |
|---|---|
| [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") | |
| | |
| | *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saurornitholestes_langstoni_skeletal.png) |
| | |
| | *[Bambiraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambiraptor "Bambiraptor")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bambiraptor_reconstruction_\(flipped\).jpg) |
| | |
| [Dromaeosaurinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurinae "Dromaeosaurinae") | |
| | |
| | *[Achillobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillobator "Achillobator")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Achillobator_reconstruction.png) |
| | *[Utahraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor "Utahraptor")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Utahraptor_Restoration.png) |
| | *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dromaeosaurus_Restoration.png) |
| [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae") | |
| | |
| | |
| | *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linheraptor_skeletal.jpg) |
| | *[Tsaagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaagan "Tsaagan")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tsaagan.png) |
| | |
| | *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Deinonychus_Restoration.png) |
| | |
| | |
| | *[Adasaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adasaurus "Adasaurus")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adasaurus_Restoration.jpg) |
| | *[Kuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_kulla "Kuru kulla")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kuru_Kulla.png) |
| | |
| | *[Balaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaur_bondoc "Balaur bondoc")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Balaur.png) |
| | |
| | *[Shri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_\(genus\) "Shri (genus)")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shri_devi.jpg) |
| | ***Velociraptor*** [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_Restoration.png) |
## Paleobiology
### Feathers
In 2007 Alan H. Turner and colleagues reported the presence of six [quill knobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quill_knobs "Quill knobs") in the ulna of a referred *Velociraptor* specimen (IGM 100/981) from the Ukhaa Tolgod locality of the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"). Turner and colleagues interpreted the presence of feathers on *Velociraptor* as evidence against the idea that the larger, flightless [maniraptorans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniraptora "Maniraptora") lost their feathers secondarily due to larger body size. Furthermore, they noted that quill knobs are almost never found in flightless bird species today, and that their presence in *Velociraptor* (presumed to have been flightless due to its relatively large size and short forelimbs) is evidence that the ancestors of dromaeosaurids could fly, making *Velociraptor* and other large members of this family secondarily flightless, though it is possible the large wing feathers inferred in the ancestors of *Velociraptor* had a purpose other than flight. The feathers of the flightless *Velociraptor* may have been used for display, for covering their nests while brooding, or for added speed and thrust when running up inclined slopes.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Turneer2007-26)
Because of the presence of another dromaeosaurid in Ukhaa Tolgod, *[Tsaagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaagan "Tsaagan")*, Napoli and team have noted that the referral of this specimen to *Velociraptor* is currently subject to reexamination.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27)
### Senses
Examinations of the endocranium of *Velociraptor* indicate that it was able to detect and hear a wide range of sound frequencies (2,368â3,965 Hz) and could track prey with ease as a result. The endocranium examinations also further cemented the theory that the dromaeosaur was an agile, swift predator. Fossil evidence suggesting *Velociraptor* scavenged also indicates that it was an opportunistic and actively predatory animal, feeding on carrion during times of drought or famine, if in poor health, or depending on the animal's age.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-41)
### Feeding
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_ZPAL_MgD-I_97a_tooth.png)
Isolated tooth of ZPAL MgD-I/97a
In 2020, Powers and colleagues re-examined the [maxillae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxillae "Maxillae") of several [eudromaeosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") taxa concluding that most Asian and North American eudromaeosaurs were separated by snout morphology and ecological strategies. They found the maxilla to be a reliable reference when inferring the shape of the [premaxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premaxilla "Premaxilla") and overall [snout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snout "Snout"). For instance, most Asian species have elongated snouts based on the maxilla (namely [velociraptorines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorines "Velociraptorines")), indicating a selective feeding in *Velociraptor* and relatives, such as picking up small, fast prey. In contrast, most North American eudromaeosaurs, mostly dromaeosaurines, feature a robust and deep maxillar morphology. However, the large dromaeosurine *Achillobator* is a unique exception to Asian taxa with its deep maxilla.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Powers2020-42)
Manabu Sakamoto in 2022 performed a Bayesian phylogenetic predictive modelling framework for estimating jaw muscle parameters and bite forces of several extinct archosaurs, based on skull widths and phylogenetic relationships between groups. Among studied taxa, *Velociraptor* was scored with a bite force of 304 [N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_\(unit\) "Newton (unit)"), which was lower than that of other dromaeosaurids such as *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")* (885 N) or *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* (706 N).[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-43)
### Predatory behavior
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fighting_dinosaurs_\(1\).jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_v._Protoceratops_\(fixed\).jpg)
The "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen of *V. mongoliensis* and *Protoceratops andrewsi* and restoration of same
The "[Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")" specimen, found in 1971, preserves a *Velociraptor mongoliensis* and *[Protoceratops andrewsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")* in combat and provides direct evidence of predatory behavior. When originally reported, it was hypothesized that the two animals drowned.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1974-7) However, as the animals were preserved in ancient sand dune deposits, it is now thought that the animals were buried in sand, either from a collapsing dune or in a [sandstorm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_storm "Dust storm"). Burial must have been extremely rapid, judging from the lifelike poses in which the animals were preserved. Parts of the *Protoceratops* are missing, which has been seen as evidence of [scavenging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavenger "Scavenger") by other animals.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-carpenter1998-44) Comparisons between the [scleral rings](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scleral_rings&action=edit&redlink=1 "Scleral rings (page does not exist)") of *Velociraptor*, *Protoceratops*, and modern birds and reptiles indicates that *Velociraptor* may have been [nocturnal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal "Nocturnal"), while *Protoceratops* may have been [cathemeral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathemeral "Cathemeral"), active throughout the day during short intervals, suggesting that the fight may have occurred at twilight or during low-light conditions.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-45)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fighting_Dinosaurs_size.png)
Size comparison of the Fighting Dinosaurs
The distinctive claw, on the second digit of dromaeosaurids, has traditionally been depicted as a slashing weapon; its assumed use being to cut and [disembowel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disembowel "Disembowel") prey.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-ostrom1969-46) In the "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen, the *Velociraptor* lies underneath, with one of its sickle claws apparently embedded in the throat of its prey, while the beak of *Protoceratops* is clamped down upon the right forelimb of its attacker. This suggests *Velociraptor* may have used its sickle claw to pierce vital organs of the throat, such as the [jugular vein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugular_vein "Jugular vein"), [carotid artery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotid_artery "Carotid artery"), or [trachea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate_trachea "Vertebrate trachea") (windpipe), rather than slashing the abdomen. The inside edge of the claw was rounded and not unusually sharp, which may have precluded any sort of cutting or slashing action, although only the bony core of the claw is preserved. The thick abdominal wall of [skin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin "Skin") and [muscle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle "Muscle") of large prey species would have been difficult to slash without a specialized cutting surface.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-carpenter1998-44) The slashing [hypothesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis "Hypothesis") was tested during a 2005 [BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC "BBC") documentary, *[The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truth_About_Killer_Dinosaurs "The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs")*. The producers of the program created an artificial *Velociraptor* leg with a sickle claw and used a [pork belly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_belly "Pork belly") to simulate the dinosaur's prey. Though the sickle claw did penetrate the abdominal wall, it was unable to tear it open, indicating that the claw was not used to disembowel prey.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-47)
Remains of *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*, a closely related dromaeosaurid, have commonly been found in aggregations of several individuals. *Deinonychus* has also been found in association with the large ornithopod *[Tenontosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenontosaurus "Tenontosaurus")*, which has been cited as evidence of cooperative (pack) hunting.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-maxwellostrom1995-48)[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-brinkmanetal1998-49) However, the only solid evidence for social behavior of any kind among dromaeosaurids comes from a Chinese trackway which shows six individuals of a large species moving as a group.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Lietal2007-50) Although many isolated fossils of *Velociraptor* have been found in Mongolia, none were closely associated with other individuals.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky2004-38) Therefore, while *Velociraptor* is commonly depicted as a [pack hunter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_hunter "Pack hunter"), as in *Jurassic Park*, there is only limited fossil evidence to support this theory for dromaeosaurids in general and none specific to *Velociraptor* itself. Dromeosaur footprints in China suggest that a few other raptor genera may have hunted in packs, but there have been no conclusive examples of pack behavior found.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-51)[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-52)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_restraining_an_oviraptorosaur_by_durbed.jpg)
*V. mongoliensis* restraining an [oviraptorosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptorosaur "Oviraptorosaur") with its sickle claws
In 2011, Denver Fowler and colleagues suggested a new method by which dromaeosaurs like *Velociraptor* and similar dromaeosaurs may have captured and restrained prey. This model, known as the "raptor prey restraint" (RPR) model of predation, proposes that dromaeosaurs killed their prey in a manner very similar to extant [accipitrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accipitridae "Accipitridae") [birds of prey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_prey "Birds of prey"): by leaping onto their quarry, pinning it under their body weight, and gripping it tightly with the large, sickle-shaped claws. These researchers proposed that, like accipitrids, the dromaeosaur would then begin to feed on the animal while it was still alive, and prey death would eventually result from blood loss and organ failure. This proposal is based primarily on comparisons between the morphology and proportions of the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs to several groups of extant birds of prey with known predatory behaviors. Fowler found that the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs most closely resemble those of [eagles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle "Eagle") and [hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawk "Hawk"), especially in terms of having an enlarged second claw and a similar range of grasping motion. The short [metatarsus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsometatarsus "Tarsometatarsus") and foot strength, however, would have been more similar to that of [owls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl "Owl"). The RPR method of predation would be consistent with other aspects of *Velociraptor*'s anatomy, such as their unusual jaw and arm morphology. The arms, which could exert a lot of force but were likely covered in long feathers, may have been used as flapping stabilizers for balance while atop a struggling prey animal, along with the stiff counterbalancing tail. The jaws, thought by Fowler and colleagues to be comparatively weak, would have been useful for row saw motion bites like the modern day [Komodo dragon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon "Komodo dragon"), which also has a weak bite, to finish off its prey if the kicks were not powerful enough. These predatory adaptations working together may also have implications for the [origin of flapping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_avian_flight "Origin of avian flight") in [paravians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paravian "Paravian").[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-fowler2011-32)
### Scavenging behavior
In 2010, Hone and colleagues published a paper on their 2008 discovery of shed teeth of what they believed to be a *Velociraptor* near a tooth-marked jaw bone of what they believed to be a *Protoceratops* in the Bayan Mandahu Formation. The authors concluded that the find represented "late-stage carcass consumption by *Velociraptor*" as the predator would have eaten other parts of a freshly killed *Protoceratops* before biting in the jaw area. The evidence was seen as supporting the inference from the "Fighting Dinosaurs" fossil that *Protoceratops* was part of the diet of *Velociraptor*.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Hone2010-53)
In 2012, Hone and colleagues published a paper that described a *Velociraptor* specimen with a long bone of an [azhdarchid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azhdarchid "Azhdarchid") [pterosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterosaur "Pterosaur") in its gut. This was interpreted as showing scavenging behaviour.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-hone2012-54)
In a 2024 study by Tse, Miller, and Pittman et al., focusing on the skull morphology and bite forces of various dromaeosaurids, it was discovered that *Velociraptor* had high bite force resistance compared to other dromaeosaurids such as *Dromaeosaurus* itself and *Deinonychus*, the latter of which was much larger. It is theorized by the authors that high bite force resistance was an adaptation towards obtaining food through scavenging more often than through active predation in *Velociraptor*.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-55)
### Metabolism
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_54_skull_CT_scan.jpg)
3D scan and nasal cavity reconstruction of *V. mongoliensis* skull MPC-D 100/54
*Velociraptor* was [warm-blooded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm-blooded "Warm-blooded") to some degree, as it required a significant amount of energy to hunt. Modern animals that possess feathery or furry coats, like *Velociraptor* did, tend to be warm-blooded, since these coverings function as insulation. However, bone growth rates in dromaeosaurids and some early birds suggest a more moderate [metabolism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism "Metabolism"), compared with most modern warm-blooded mammals and birds. The [kiwi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi_\(bird\) "Kiwi (bird)") is similar to dromaeosaurids in anatomy, feather type, bone structure and even the narrow anatomy of the nasal passages (usually a key indicator of metabolism). The kiwi is a highly active, if specialized, flightless bird, with a stable body temperature and a fairly low resting metabolic rate, making it a good model for the metabolism of primitive birds and dromaeosaurids.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37)
In 2023, Seishiro Tada and team examined the nasal cavities of [ectotherm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectotherm "Ectotherm") (cold-blooded) or [endotherm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endotherm "Endotherm") (warm-blooded) species, in order to evaluate the [thermoregulatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulatory "Thermoregulatory") physiology of non-avian dinosaurs compared to these groups. They found that the size of the nasal cavity relative to the head size of extant endotherms is larger than those of extant ectotherms, and among taxa, *Velociraptor* was recovered below the extant endotherms level by reconstructing its nasal respiratory cavity. Tada with team suggested that *Velociraptor* and most other non-avian dinosaurs may not have possessed a fully or well-developed nasal thermoregulation apparatus as modern endothermic animals do.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-56)
### Paleopathology
Main article: [Theropod paleopathology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropod_paleopathology "Theropod paleopathology")
Norell with colleagues in 1995 reported one *V. mongoliensis* skull bearing two parallel rows of small punctures on its frontal bones that, upon closer examination, match the spacing and size of *Velociraptor* teeth. They suggested that the wound was likely inflicted by another *Velociraptor* during a [fight within the species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intraspecific_competition "Intraspecific competition"). Because its bone structure shows no sign of [healing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_healing "Bone healing") near the bite wounds and the overall specimen was not scavenged, this individual was likely killed by this fatal wound.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-57) In 2001 Molnar and team noted that this specimen is MPC-D 100/976 hailing from the Tugrik Shireh locality, which has also yielded the Fighting Dinosaurs specimen.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-molnar-pathology-58)
In 2012 David Hone and team reported another injured *Velociraptor* specimen (MPC-D 100/54, roughly a sub-adult individual) found with the bones of an [azhdarchid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azhdarchidae "Azhdarchidae") pterosaur within its stomach cavity, was carrying or recovering from an injury sustained to one broken rib. From evidence on the pterosaur bones, which were devoid of pitting or deformations from digestion, the *Velociraptor* died shortly after, possibly from the earlier injury. Nevertheless, the team noted that this broken ribs shows signs of bone healing.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-hone2012-54)
## Paleoenvironment
### Bayan Mandahu Formation
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linheraptor_exquisitus.jpg)
Restoration of related *Linheraptor* in paleoenvironment
In both [Bayan Mandahu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation") and Djadochta formations many of the same genera were present, though they varied at the species level. These differences in species composition may be due a natural barrier separating the two formations, which are relatively close to each other geographically.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, given the lack of any known barrier which would cause the specific faunal compositions found in these areas, it is more likely that those differences indicate a slight time difference.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Longrichetal10-59)
*V. osmolskae* lived alongside the ankylosaurid *[Pinacosaurus mephistocephalus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacosaurus_mephistocephalus "Pinacosaurus mephistocephalus")*; alvarezsaurid *[Linhenykus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linhenykus "Linhenykus")*; closely related dromaeosaurid *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")*; oviraptorids *[Machairasaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machairasaurus "Machairasaurus")* and *[Wulatelong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wulatelong "Wulatelong")*; protoceratopsids *[Bagaceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagaceratops "Bagaceratops")* and *[Protoceratops hellenikorhinus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops_hellenikorhinus "Protoceratops hellenikorhinus")*; and troodontids *[Linhevenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linhevenator "Linhevenator")*, *[Papiliovenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papiliovenator "Papiliovenator")*, and *[Philovenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philovenator "Philovenator")*.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Longrichetal10-59) Sediments across the formation indicate a similar depositional environment to that of the Djadochta Formation.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-60)
### Djadochta Formation
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_mongoliensis.jpg)
Restoration of *V. mongoliensis* in the arid Djadochta settings
Known specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis* have been recovered from the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation") (also spelled Djadokhta), in the [Mongolian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia "Mongolia") province of [Ămnögovi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96mn%C3%B6govi_Province "Ămnögovi Province"). This [geological formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geological_formation "Geological formation") is estimated to date back to the [Campanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanian "Campanian") [stage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_\(stratigraphy\) "Stage (stratigraphy)") (between 75 million and 71 million years ago) of the [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous") [epoch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_time_scale#Divisions_of_geologic_time "Geologic time scale").[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The abundant sedimentsâ[sands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand "Sand"), [sandstones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstone "Sandstone"), or [caliche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche "Caliche")âof the Djadochta Formation were deposited by [eolian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolian_processes "Aeolian processes") (wind) processes in arid settings with fields of sand [dunes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune "Dune") and only intermittent [streams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream "Stream"), as indicated by very sparse [fluvial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluvial "Fluvial") (river-deposited) sedimentation, under a [semi-arid climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate "Semi-arid climate").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-62)[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61)[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dingus2008-63)
The Djadochta Formation is separated into a lower Bayn Dzak Member and upper Turgrugyin Member. *V. mongoliensis* is known from both members, represented by numerous specimens.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The Bayn Dzak Member (mainly Bayn Dzak locality) has yielded the oviraptorid *[Oviraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptor "Oviraptor")*; ankylosaurid *[Pinacosaurus grangeri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacosaurus_grangeri "Pinacosaurus grangeri")*; protoceratopsid *[Protoceratops andrewsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops_andrewsi "Protoceratops andrewsi")*; and troodontid *[Saurornithoides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornithoides "Saurornithoides")*.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3)[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The younger Turgrugyin Member (mainly Tugriken Shireh locality) has produced the bird *[Elsornis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsornis "Elsornis")*; dromaeosaurid *[Mahakala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakala_omnogovae "Mahakala omnogovae")*: ornithomimid *[Aepyornithomimus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aepyornithomimus "Aepyornithomimus")*; and protoceratopsid *Protoceratops andrewsi*.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-64)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-65)
*V. mongoliensis* has been found at many of the most famous and prolific Djadochta localities. The type specimen was discovered at the [Flaming Cliffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Cliffs "Flaming Cliffs") site (sublocality of the larger Bayn Dzak locality/region),[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) while the "Fighting Dinosaurs" were found at the Tugrik Shire locality (also known as Tugrugeen Shireh and many other spellings).[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-kjbarsbold1972-6) The latter is notorious for its exceptional *[in situ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ "In situ")* fossil preservation. Based on deposits (such as structureless sandstones), it has been concluded that a large number of specimens were buried alive during powerful sand-bearing events, common to these paleoenvironments.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-66)
## Cultural significance
Main article: [*Velociraptors* in *Jurassic Park*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptors_in_Jurassic_Park "Velociraptors in Jurassic Park")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dinosaur_Input_Device_Velociraptor.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_%E4%B8%AD%E7%92%B0%E8%A1%97%E5%B8%82_Central_Market_shopping_mall_%E5%95%86%E5%A0%B4_June_2022_Px3_exhibition_Jurassic_World_04.jpg)
The "Dinosaur Input Device" *Velociraptor* used for creating some of the [CGI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-generated_imagery "Computer-generated imagery") effects in *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)")* (left), and the design from the *[Jurassic World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World "Jurassic World")* trilogy, Hong Kong (right)
*Velociraptor* is commonly perceived as a vicious and cunning killer thanks to their portrayal in the 1990 novel *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(novel\) "Jurassic Park (novel)")* by [Michael Crichton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Crichton "Michael Crichton") and its 1993 [film adaptation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)"), directed by [Steven Spielberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg "Steven Spielberg"). The ["raptors" portrayed in *Jurassic Park*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptors_in_Jurassic_Park "Velociraptors in Jurassic Park") were actually modeled after the closely related [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*. Paleontologists in both the novel and film excavate a skeleton in [Montana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana "Montana"), far from the central Asian range of *Velociraptor* but characteristic of the *Deinonychus* range.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-crichton1990-67) Crichton met with the discoverer of *Deinonychus*, [John Ostrom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ostrom "John Ostrom"), several times at [Yale University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University "Yale University") to discuss details of the animal's possible range of behaviors and appearance. Crichton at one point apologetically told Ostrom that he had decided to use the name *Velociraptor* in place of *Deinonychus* because the former name was "more dramatic." According to Ostrom, Crichton stated that the *Velociraptor* of the novel was based on *Deinonychus* in almost every detail, and that only the name had been changed. The *Jurassic Park* filmmakers also requested all of Ostrom's published papers on *Deinonychus* during production.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-jw_yalenews_2015-68) They portrayed the animals with the size, proportions, and snout shape of *Deinonychus* rather than *Velociraptor*.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Duncan2006-69)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-bakker1995-70)
Production on *Jurassic Park* began before the discovery of the large dromaeosaurid *[Utahraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor "Utahraptor")* was made public in 1991, but as Jody Duncan wrote about this discovery: "Later, after we had designed and built the raptor, there was a discovery of a raptor skeleton in Utah, which they labeled 'super-slasher.' They had uncovered the largest Velociraptor to date and it measured five-and-a-half-feet tall, just like ours. So we designed it, we built it, and then they discovered it. That still boggles my mind."[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Duncan2006-69) Spielberg's name was briefly considered for naming of the new dinosaur in exchange for funding of field work, but no agreement was reached.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-adams1993-71)
*[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)")* and its sequel *[The Lost World: Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World:_Jurassic_Park "The Lost World: Jurassic Park")* were released before the discovery that dromaeosaurs had feathers, so the *Velociraptor* in both films were depicted as scaled and featherless. For *[Jurassic Park III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_III "Jurassic Park III"),* the male *Velociraptor* was given quill-like structures along the back of the head and neck, but these structures do not resemble the feathers that *Velociraptor* would have had in reality due to reasons of continuity.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-dhar2013-72) The *[Jurassic World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World "Jurassic World")* sequel trilogy ignored the feathers of *Velociraptor*, adhering to the designs from *Jurassic Park*.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-polo2015-73) However, the dromaeosaur *[Pyroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroraptor "Pyroraptor")* was feathered for *[Jurassic World Dominion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World_Dominion "Jurassic World Dominion")*, along with other changes such as stiffening the tail to account for ossified tendons and de-pronating the hands.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-katwala2022-74)
## See also
- [Dinosaurs portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Dinosaurs "Portal:Dinosaurs")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pleuroceras_ammonite_with_no_background.png)[Paleontology portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Paleontology "Portal:Paleontology")
- [Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")
- [Timeline of dromaeosaurid research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_dromaeosaurid_research "Timeline of dromaeosaurid research")
## References
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Osborn, H. F. (1924). ["Three new Theropoda, Protoceratops zone, central Mongolia"](https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/items/25d800cd-76d7-4ced-9dae-39e46f746def). *American Museum Novitates* (144): 1â12\. [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[2246/3223](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F3223). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [40272928](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/40272928).
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Barsbold, Rinchen (1983). ["Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia"](https://www.geokniga.org/bookfiles/geokniga-hishchnye-dinozavry-mela-mongolii.pdf) (PDF). *Transactions of the Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition* (in Russian). **19**: 5â119\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210831103445/https://www.geokniga.org/bookfiles/geokniga-hishchnye-dinozavry-mela-mongolii.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
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Kielan-Jaworowska, Zofia; Barsbold, Rinchen (1972). ["Narrative of the Polish-Mongolian Paleontological Expeditions"](http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1972-27_5-13_1-2.pdf) (PDF). *Paleontologica Polonica*. **27**: 11. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231104085352/http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1972-27_5-13_1-2.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
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Barsbold, Rinchen (1974). ["Saurornithoididae, a new family of theropod dinosaurs from Central Asia and North America"](http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1974_30_5-22_1-4.pdf) (PDF). *Paleontologica Polonica*. **30**: 5â22\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063432/http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1974_30_5-22_1-4.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
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Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1999). "Important features of the dromaeosaurid skeleton II: information from newly collected specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*". *American Museum Novitates* (3282): 1â45\. [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[2246/3025](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F3025).
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Barsbold, R.; OsmĂłlska, H. (1999). ["The skull of Velociraptor (Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia"](https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app44/app44-189.pdf) (PDF). *Acta Palaeontologica Polonica*. **44** (2): 189â219\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220714025149/https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app44/app44-189.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
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.
71. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-adams1993_71-0)**
Adams, B. (15 June 1993). ["Director Loses Utahraptor Name Game"](https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/15/19051844/director-loses-utahraptor-name-game). *[Deseret News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deseret_News "Deseret News")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220822053459/https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/15/19051844/director-loses-utahraptor-name-game) from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
72. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-dhar2013_72-0)**
Dhar, M. (17 June 2013). ["T. Rex at 20: How 'Jurassic Park' science has evolved"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/t-rex-at-20-how-jurassic-park-science-has-evolved/2013/06/17/1701595c-d1f9-11e2-8cbe-1bcbee06f8f8_story.html). *[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231230175837/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/t-rex-at-20-how-jurassic-park-science-has-evolved/2013/06/17/1701595c-d1f9-11e2-8cbe-1bcbee06f8f8_story.html) from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
73. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-polo2015_73-0)**
Polo, S. (10 June 2015). ["Jurassic World explains its featherless dinos while poking fun at blockbusters"](https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/10/8760275/jurassic-world-dinosaurs-feathers). *[Polygon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygon_\(website\) "Polygon (website)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221011135009/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/10/8760275/jurassic-world-dinosaurs-feathers) from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
74. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-katwala2022_74-0)**
Katwala, A. (10 June 2022). ["The Real Story Behind *Jurassic World Dominion*'s Dino Feathers"](https://www.wired.com/story/jurassic-world-dominion-dinosaur-feathers/). *[Wired](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_\(website\) "Wired (website)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220612111833/https://www.wired.com/story/jurassic-world-dominion-dinosaur-feathers/) from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
## External links
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg) Media related to [*Velociraptor*](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Velociraptor "commons:Category:Velociraptor") at Wikimedia Commons
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wikispecies-logo.svg) Data related to [*Velociraptor*](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "wikispecies:Velociraptor") at Wikispecies
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wikiquote-logo.svg) Quotations related to [*Velociraptor*](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Velociraptor "wikiquote:Velociraptor") at Wikiquote
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wikibooks-logo-en-noslogan.svg) [Wikijunior Dinosaurs/Velociraptor](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior_Dinosaurs/Velociraptor "wikibooks:Wikijunior Dinosaurs/Velociraptor") at Wikibooks
- [3D skull model of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*](https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/velociraptor-mongoliensis-skull-4a1551d6fedc47ccbc82bdb1a346f814) at [Sketchfab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sketchfab "Sketchfab")
- [Skeletal reconstruction of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*](https://www.skeletaldrawing.com/theropods/velociraptor) at Dr. Scott Hartman's Skeletal Drawing
- [Videos about the Fighting Dinosaurs](https://web.archive.org/web/20060621140840/http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/fightingdinos/videos.html) at [American Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History "American Museum of Natural History") ([Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"))
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Dromaeosauridae "Template:Dromaeosauridae") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Dromaeosauridae "Template talk:Dromaeosauridae") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Dromaeosauridae "Special:EditPage/Template:Dromaeosauridae")[Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") | | |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom: [Animalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal "Animal") Phylum: [Chordata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordate "Chordate") Class: [Sauropsida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauropsida "Sauropsida") *Clade*: [Dinosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosauria "Dinosauria") *Clade*: [Theropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda "Theropoda") *Clade*: [Paraves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraves "Paraves") | | |
| | | |
| [Avemetatarsalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avemetatarsalia "Avemetatarsalia") | | |
| | | |
| see [Avemetatarsalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Avemetatarsalia "Template:Avemetatarsalia") | | |
| [Theropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda "Theropoda") | | |
| | | |
| see [Theropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Theropoda "Template:Theropoda") | | |
| [Maniraptora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniraptora "Maniraptora") | | |
| | | |
| see [Maniraptora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Maniraptora "Template:Maniraptora") | | |
| [Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") | see belowâ | |
| **[Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae")** | | |
| | | |
| [Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Halszkaraptor_Restoration.png "Halszkaraptor escuilliei") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Austroraptor_Restoration.png "Austroraptor cabazai") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Microraptor_Restoration_\(cropped\).png "Microraptor gui") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Utahraptor_Restoration.png "Utahraptor ostrommaysorum") |
| | | |
| *[Daurlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daurlong "Daurlong")* *[Hesperonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperonychus "Hesperonychus")* *[Pyroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroraptor "Pyroraptor")*? *[Shanag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanag "Shanag")* *[Tianyuraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianyuraptor "Tianyuraptor")* *[Variraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variraptor "Variraptor")*? *[Zhenyuanlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhenyuanlong "Zhenyuanlong")* | | |
| [Halszkaraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszkaraptorinae "Halszkaraptorinae")? | *[Halszkaraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszkaraptor "Halszkaraptor")* *[Hulsanpes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulsanpes "Hulsanpes")* *[Mahakala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakala_omnogovae "Mahakala omnogovae")* *[Natovenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natovenator "Natovenator")* | |
| [Unenlagiinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unenlagiinae "Unenlagiinae")? | *[Austroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austroraptor "Austroraptor")* *[Buitreraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buitreraptor "Buitreraptor")* *[Dakotaraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakotaraptor "Dakotaraptor")*? *[Diuqin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diuqin "Diuqin")* *[Imperobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperobator "Imperobator")*? *[Neuquenraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuquenraptor "Neuquenraptor")* *[Ornithodesmus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithodesmus "Ornithodesmus")*? *[Overoraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overoraptor "Overoraptor")*? *[Pamparaptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamparaptor "Pamparaptor")* *[Pyroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroraptor "Pyroraptor")*? *[Rahonavis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahonavis "Rahonavis")*? *[Unenlagia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unenlagia "Unenlagia")* *[Unquillosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unquillosaurus "Unquillosaurus")*? *[Variraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variraptor "Variraptor")*? *[Ypupiara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ypupiara "Ypupiara")* | |
| [Microraptoria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptoria "Microraptoria") | *[Changyuraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changyuraptor "Changyuraptor")* *[Graciliraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graciliraptor "Graciliraptor")* *[Microraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor "Microraptor")* *[Sinornithosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinornithosaurus "Sinornithosaurus")* *[Wulong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wulong_bohaiensis "Wulong bohaiensis")* *[Zhongjianosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongjianosaurus "Zhongjianosaurus")* | |
| [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") | | |
| | | |
| *[Balaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaur_bondoc "Balaur bondoc")*? *[Bambiraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambiraptor "Bambiraptor")* *[Dineobellator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dineobellator "Dineobellator")* *[Vectiraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectiraptor "Vectiraptor")* | | |
| [Saurornitholestinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestinae "Saurornitholestinae") | *[Atrociraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrociraptor "Atrociraptor")* *[Bambiraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambiraptor "Bambiraptor")*? *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")* | |
| [Dromaeosaurinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurinae "Dromaeosaurinae") | *[Achillobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillobator "Achillobator")* *[Dakotaraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakotaraptor "Dakotaraptor")*? *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*? *[Dromaeosauroides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauroides "Dromaeosauroides")* *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")* *[Itemirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itemirus "Itemirus")* *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")*? *[Utahraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor "Utahraptor")* *[Yurgovuchia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurgovuchia "Yurgovuchia")* *[Zapsalis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapsalis "Zapsalis")* | |
| [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae") | *[Acheroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheroraptor "Acheroraptor")* *[Adasaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adasaurus "Adasaurus")* *[Boreonykus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boreonykus "Boreonykus")*? *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*? *[Kansaignathus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansaignathus "Kansaignathus")* *[Kuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_kulla "Kuru kulla")* *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")* *[Luanchuanraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luanchuanraptor "Luanchuanraptor")*? *[Nuthetes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuthetes "Nuthetes")*? *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")*? *[Shri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_\(genus\) "Shri (genus)")* *[Tsaagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaagan "Tsaagan")* *[Velociraptor]()* | |
| See also: [Timeline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_dromaeosaurid_research "Timeline of dromaeosaurid research")  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Dromaeosauridae "Category:Dromaeosauridae") | | |
| [Taxon identifiers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Taxon_identifiers "Help:Taxon identifiers") | |
|---|---|
| *Velociraptor* | [Wikidata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikidata "Wikidata"): [Q14403](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14403 "wikidata:Q14403") [Wikispecies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikispecies "Wikispecies"): [Velociraptor](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor "wikispecies:Velociraptor") BioLib: [417378](https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id417378) [EoL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Life "Encyclopedia of Life"): [2866145](https://eol.org/pages/2866145) [GBIF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Biodiversity_Information_Facility "Global Biodiversity Information Facility"): [4822951](https://www.gbif.org/species/4822951) [iNaturalist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INaturalist "INaturalist"): [123140](https://inaturalist.org/taxa/123140) [IRMNG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interim_Register_of_Marine_and_Nonmarine_Genera "Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera"): [1036520](https://www.irmng.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1036520) [Open Tree of Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Tree_of_Life "Open Tree of Life"): [4946063](https://tree.opentreeoflife.org/taxonomy/browse?id=4946063) [Paleobiology Database](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleobiology_Database "Paleobiology Database"): [38564](https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon_no=38564) Taxonomicon: [50805](http://taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl/TaxonName.aspx?id=50805) [ZooBank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZooBank "ZooBank"): [4C66D2F1-0B8F-4816-B9D9-381EC264AFB7](https://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/4C66D2F1-0B8F-4816-B9D9-381EC264AFB7) |

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*Velociraptor*
73 languages
[Add topic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor) |
| Readable Markdown | | *Velociraptor* Temporal range: [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous"), ~75â71 [Ma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaannum "Megaannum") [Preê](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian "Precambrian") [ê](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian "Cambrian") [O](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordovician "Ordovician") [S](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silurian "Silurian") [D](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonian "Devonian") [C](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous "Carboniferous") [P](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permian "Permian") [T](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triassic "Triassic") [J](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic "Jurassic") [K](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous "Cretaceous") [Pg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleogene "Paleogene") [N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neogene "Neogene") â Possible later [Maastrichtian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastrichtian "Maastrichtian") record[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-auto-1) | |
|---|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_skeleton_white_background.jpg) | |
| Mounted *V. mongoliensis* cast at [Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Belgian_Institute_of_Natural_Sciences "Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences") | |
| [Scientific classification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_\(biology\) "Taxonomy (biology)") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Taxonomy/Velociraptor "Edit this classification") | |
| Kingdom: | [Animalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal "Animal") |
| Phylum: | [Chordata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordate "Chordate") |
| Class: | [Reptilia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile "Reptile") |
| *Clade*: | [Dinosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur "Dinosaur") |
| *Clade*: | [Saurischia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurischia "Saurischia") |
| *Clade*: | [Theropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda "Theropoda") |
| Family: | â [Dromaeosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") |
| *Clade*: | â [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") |
| Subfamily: | â [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae") |
| Genus: | â [*Velociraptor*]() [Osborn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Fairfield_Osborn "Henry Fairfield Osborn"), 1924 |
| [Type species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_species "Type species") | |
| â ***Velociraptor mongoliensis***Osborn, 1924 | |
| Other species | |
| â ***V.? osmolskae*** [Godefroit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Godefroit "Pascal Godefroit") et al., 2008 | |
***Velociraptor*** (;[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-2) lit. 'swift thief') is a [genus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus "Genus") of small [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurid "Dromaeosaurid") [dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur "Dinosaur") that lived in [Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia "Asia") during the [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous") epoch, about 75 million to 71 [million years ago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_years_ago "Million years ago") (Mya). Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The [type species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_species "Type species") is ***V. mongoliensis***, named and described in 1924. [Fossils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil "Fossil") of this species have been discovered in the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"), [Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia "Mongolia"). A second species, ***V. osmolskae***, was named in 2008 for skull material from the [Bayan Mandahu Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation"), [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China"). A possible record is known from the [Nemegt Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemegt_Formation "Nemegt Formation").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-auto-1)
Smaller than other dromaeosaurids like *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* and *[Achillobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillobator "Achillobator")*, *Velociraptor* was about 1.5â2.07 m (4.9â6.8 ft) long with a body mass of around 14.1â19.7 kg (31â43 lb). It nevertheless shared many of the same [anatomical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomy "Anatomy") features. It was a [bipedal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biped "Biped"), [feathered](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather "Feather") [carnivore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore "Carnivore") with a long tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped [claw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claw "Claw") on each hindfoot, which is thought to have been used to tackle and restrain [prey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation "Predation"). *Velociraptor* can be distinguished from other dromaeosaurids by its long and low [skull](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull "Skull"), with an upturned [snout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snout "Snout").
*Velociraptor* (commonly referred to as "raptor") is one of the dinosaur genera most familiar to the general public due to its [prominent role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptors_in_Jurassic_Park "Velociraptors in Jurassic Park") in the *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(franchise\) "Jurassic Park (franchise)")* films. In reality, however, *Velociraptor* was roughly the size of a [turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_\(bird\) "Turkey (bird)"), considerably smaller than the approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and 90 kg (200 lb) reptiles seen in the novels and films (which were based on members of the related genus *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*). Today, *Velociraptor* is well known to [paleontologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology "Paleontology"), with over a dozen described fossil skeletons. [One particularly famous specimen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs") preserves a *Velociraptor* locked in combat with a *[Protoceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")*.
History of discovery
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bayanzag_\(Flaming_Cliffs\).jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_mongoliensis_type_skull_and_jaws.jpg)
Line diagram of *V. mongoliensis* holotype skull and associated manual ungual
During an [American Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History "American Museum of Natural History") expedition to the [Flaming Cliffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Cliffs "Flaming Cliffs") (Bayn Dzak or Bayanzag) of the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"), [Gobi Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobi_Desert "Gobi Desert"), on 11 August 1923, Peter Kaisen discovered the first *Velociraptor* fossil known to scienceâa crushed but complete skull, associated with one manual claw and adjoining [phalanges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_bone "Phalanx bone") ([AMNH](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMNH "AMNH") 6515). In 1924, museum president [Henry Fairfield Osborn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Fairfield_Osborn "Henry Fairfield Osborn") designated the skull and part of the manus as the [type specimen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_specimen "Type specimen") of his new genus, *Velociraptor*. This name is derived from the [Latin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin "Latin") words *velox* ('swift') and *raptor* ('robber' or 'plunderer') and refers to the animal's [cursorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursorial "Cursorial") nature and carnivorous diet. Osborn named the type species *V. mongoliensis* after its country of origin.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) Earlier that year, Osborn had informally mentioned the animal in a popular press article, under the name "Ovoraptor djadochtari" (not to be confused with the similarly named *[Oviraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptor "Oviraptor")*),[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924b-4) eventually changed into *V. mongoliensis* during its formal description.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3)
While North American teams were shut out of [communist Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_People%27s_Republic "Mongolian People's Republic") during the [Cold War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War "Cold War"), expeditions by [Soviet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union "Soviet Union") and [Polish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People%27s_Republic "Polish People's Republic") scientists, in collaboration with Mongolian colleagues, recovered several more specimens of *Velociraptor*. The most famous is part of the "[Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")" specimen ([MPC-D](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mongolian_Paleontological_Center&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mongolian Paleontological Center (page does not exist)") 100/25; formerly IGM, GIN, or GI SPS), discovered by a Polish-Mongolian team in 1971. The fossil preserves a *Velociraptor* in battle against a *[Protoceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")*.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1983-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-kjbarsbold1972-6)[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1974-7) It is considered a national treasure of Mongolia, and in 2000 it was loaned to the American Museum of Natural History in [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") for a temporary exhibition.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-amnh-8)
Between 1988 and 1990, a joint [Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China")\-[Canadian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadians "Canadians") team discovered *Velociraptor* remains in northern China.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-jerzykiewiczetal1993-9) American scientists returned to Mongolia in 1990, and a joint Mongolian-American expedition to the Gobi, led by the American Museum of Natural History and the [Mongolian Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_Academy_of_Sciences "Mongolian Academy of Sciences"), turned up several well-preserved skeletons.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11) One such specimen, MPC-D 100/980, was nicknamed "Ichabodcraniosaurus" by Norell's team because the fairly complete specimen was found without its skull (an allusion to the [Washington Irving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Irving "Washington Irving") character [Ichabod Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichabod_Crane "Ichabod Crane")).[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-novacek1996-12) While Norell and Makovicky provisionally considered it a specimen of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*,[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10) it was named as a new species *[Shri devi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_\(genus\) "Shri (genus)")* in 2021.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-turner2021-13)
In 1999, [Rinchen Barsbold](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinchen_Barsbold "Rinchen Barsbold") and [Halszka OsmĂłlska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszka_Osm%C3%B3lska "Halszka OsmĂłlska") reported a juvenile *Velociraptor* specimen (GIN or IGM 100/2000), represented by a complete skeleton including the skull of a young individual. It was found at the Tugriken Shireh locality of the Djadochta Formation during the context of the Mongolian-Japanese Palaeontological Expeditions. The coauthors stated that detailed descriptions of this and other specimens would be published at a later date.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
Additional species
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptorine_skulls.png)
[Velociraptorine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorine "Velociraptorine") skulls, B, D, E are *V. mongoliensis*, C is *V* sp., and F is *V. osmolskae* (known parts in gray)
[Maxillae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxilla "Maxilla") and a [lacrimal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrimal_bone "Lacrimal bone") (the main tooth-bearing bones of the upper jaw, and the bone that forms the anterior margin of the eye socket, respectively) recovered from the [Bayan Mandahu Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation") in 1999 by the Sino-Belgian Dinosaur Expeditions were found to pertain to *Velociraptor*, but not to the type species *V. mongoliensis*. [Pascal Godefroit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Godefroit "Pascal Godefroit") and colleagues named these bones *V. osmolskae* (for Polish paleontologist [Halszka OsmĂłlska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halszka_Osm%C3%B3lska "Halszka OsmĂłlska")) in 2008.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, the 2013 study noted that while "the elongate shape of the maxilla in *V. osmolskae* is similar to that of *V. mongoliensis*," phylogenetic analysis found it to be closer to *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")*, making the genus [paraphyletic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphyly "Paraphyly"); thus, *V. osmolskae* might not actually belong to the genus *Velociraptor* and requires reassessment.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-16)
Paleontologists Mark A. Norell and Peter J. Makovicky in 1997 described new and well preserved specimens of *V. mongoliensis*, namely MPC-D 100/985 collected from the Tugrik Shireh locality in 1993, and MPC-D 100/986 collected in 1993 from the Chimney Buttes locality. The team briefly mentioned another specimen, MPC-D 100/982, which by the time of this publication remained undescribed.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11) In 1999 Norell and Makovicky provided more insights into the anatomy of *Velociraptor* with additional specimens. Among these, MPC-D 100/982 was partially described and figured, and referred to *V. mongoliensis* mainly based on cranial similarities with the holotype skull, although they stated that differences were present between the pelvic region of this specimen and other *Velociraptor* specimens. This relatively well-preserved specimen including the skull was discovered and collected in 1995 at the Bayn Dzak locality (specifically at the "Volcano" sub-locality).[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10) Martin KundrĂĄt in a 2004 abstract compared the neurocranium of MPC-D 100/982 to another *Velociraptor* specimen, MPC-D 100/976. He concluded that the overall morphology of the former was more derived (advanced) than the latter, suggesting that they could represent distinct taxa.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-17)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_specimen_IGM.jpg)
*Velociraptor* specimen MPC-D 100/982, possibly a new species
Mark J. Powers in his 2020 master thesis fully described MPC-D 100/982, which he concluded to represent a new and third species of *Velociraptor*. This species, which he considered distinct, was stated to mainly differ from other *Velociraptor* species in having a shallow maxilla morphology.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-18) Powers and colleagues also in 2020 used [morphometric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphometric "Morphometric") analyses to compare several dromaeosaurid maxillae, and found the maxilla of MPC-D 100/982 to strongly differ from specimens referred to *Velociraptor*. They indicated that this specimen, based on these results, represents a different species.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-19) In 2021 Powers with team used [Principal Component Analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_Component_Analysis "Principal Component Analysis") to separate dromaeosaurid maxillae, most notably finding that MPC-D 100/982 falls outside the instraspecific variability of *V. mongoliensis*, arguing for a distinct species. They considered that both *V. mongoliensis* and this new species were ecologically separated based on their skull anatomy.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-20) The team in another 2021 abstract reinforced again the species-level separation, noting that additional differences can be found in the hindlimbs.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-21)
Description
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_size.png)
*Velociraptor* specimens compared in size to a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) tall [human](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human "Human")
*Velociraptor* was a small to medium-sized [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurid "Dromaeosaurid"), with adults measuring between 1.5â2.07 m (4.9â6.8 ft) long, approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft) high at the hips,[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul1988-22)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-23) and weighing about 14.1â19.7 kg (31â43 lb).[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-24)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-25)
Prominent [quill knobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quill_knobs "Quill knobs")âattachment site of "[wing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing "Wing")" feathers and direct indicator of a [feather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather "Feather") coveringâhave been reported from the [ulna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulna "Ulna") of a single *Velociraptor* specimen (IGM 100/981), which represents an animal of estimated 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and 15 kg (33 lb) in weight. The spacing of 6 preserved knobs suggests that 8 additional knobs may have been present, giving a total of 14 quill knobs that developed large [secondaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_feather#Secondaries "Flight feather") ("wing" feathers stemming from the forearm).[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Turneer2007-26) However, the specimen number has been corrected to IGM 100/3503 and its referral to *Velociraptor* may require reevaluation, pending further study.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27) Nevertheless, there is strong [phylogenetic evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_bracketing "Phylogenetic bracketing") from other dromaeosaurid relatives that indicates the presence of feathers in *Velociraptor*, including dromaeosaurids such as *[Daurlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daurlong "Daurlong")*,[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-28) *[Microraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor "Microraptor")*,[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-29) or *[Zhenyuanlong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhenyuanlong "Zhenyuanlong")*.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-30)
Skull
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_Restoration.png)
Life restoration
The skull of *Velociraptor* was rather elongated and grew up to 23 cm (9.1 in) long. It was uniquely up-curved at the snout region, concave on the upper surface, and convex on the lower surface. The snout, which occupied about 60% of the entire skull length, was notably narrow and mainly formed by the nasal, premaxilla, and maxilla bones. The [premaxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#premaxilla "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was the anteriormost bone in the skull, and it was longer than taller. While its posterior end joined the nasal, the main body of the premaxilla touched the maxilla. The [maxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#maxilla "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was nearly triangular in shape and the largest element of the snout. On its center or main body, there was a depression developing a small oval to circular-shaped hole, called maxillary fenestra. Though in front of this fenestra were two small openings, referred to as promaxillary fenestrae. The posterior border of the maxilla formed (predominantly) the antorbital fenestra, one of the several large holes in the skull. Both premaxilla and maxilla had several [alveoli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_alveolus "Dental alveolus") ([tooth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth "Tooth") sockets) on their bottom surfaces. Above the maxilla and making contact with the premaxilla, there was the [nasal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#nasal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") bone. It was a thin/narrow and elongated bone contributing to the top surface of the snout. Together, both premaxilla and nasal bones gave form to the naris or narial fenestra (nostril opening), which was relatively large and circular. The posterior end of the nasal was joined by the frontal and lacrimal bones.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_25_skull.png)
Skull of MPC-D 100/25 ([Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs") individual), in lateral (A-C), top (B), bottom (D-E), and posterior (E) views
The back or posterior region of the skull was built by the frontal, lacrimal, postorbital, jugal, parietal, quadrate, and quadratojugal bones. The [frontal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#frontal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was large element, having a vaguely rectangular shape when seen from above. On its posterior end, this bone was in contact with the [parietal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#parietal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), and such elements were the main bodies of the [skull roof](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_roof "Skull roof"). The [lacrimal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#lacrimal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was a T-shaped bone and its main body was thin and delicated. Its lower end meet the [jugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#jugal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") (often called cheek bone), which was a large, sub-triangular-shaped element. Its lower border was notably straight/horizontal. The [postorbital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#postorbital "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was located just above the jugal: a stocky and strongly T-shaped bone. As a whole, the orbit or orbital fenestra (eye socket)âformed by the lacrimal, jugal, frontal, and postorbitalâwas large and near circular in shape, being longer than taller. When seen from above, a pair of large and markedly rounded holes were present near the rear of the skull (the temporal fenestrae), whose main components were the postorbital and squamosal. Behind the jugal, an inverted T-shaped bone (also seen in other dromaeosaurids), known as the [quadratojugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#quadratojugal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), was developed. While the upper end of the quadratojugal joined the [squamosal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#squamosal "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), an irregularly-shaped element, its inner side meet the [quadrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#quadrate "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"). The latter was of great importance for the articulation with the lower jaw. The posteriormost bone was the [occipital bone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#occipital "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") and its projection the [occipital condyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_condyle "Occipital condyle"): a rounded and bulbous protuberance that meet the first vertebra of the neck.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_rostrum_\(holotype\).png)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_holotype_skull_\(labelled\).png)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_dentary_\(holotype\).png)
*V. mongoliensis* holotype skull (right), rostrum (left), and dentary (bottom)
The lower jaw of *Velociraptor* comprised mainly the dentary, splenial, angular, surangular, and articular bones. The [dentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#dentary "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") was a very long, weakly curved, and narrow element that developed several alveoli on its top surface. On its posterior end, it meet the [surangular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#surangular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"). It had a small hole near its posterior end, called surangular foramen or fenestra. Both bones were the largest elements of the lower jaw of *Velociraptor*, contributing to virtually its entire length. Below them were the smaller [splenial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#splenial "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy") and [angular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#angular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), closely articulated to each other. The [articular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_dinosaur_anatomy#articular "Glossary of dinosaur anatomy"), located on the inner side of the surangular, was a small element that joined the quadrate of the upper skull, enabling the articulation with the lower jaw. An elongated, near oval-shaped hole was developed in the center of the lower jaw (the mandibular fenestra), and it was produced by the joint of the dentary, surangular, and angular bones.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
The teeth of *Velociraptor* were fairly [homodont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homodont "Homodont") (equal in shape) and had several [denticles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denticle_\(tooth_feature\) "Denticle (tooth feature)") (serrations), each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front. The premaxilla had 4 alveoli (meaning that 4 teeth were developed), and the maxilla had 11 alveoli. At the dentary, between 14â15 alveoli were present. All teeth present at the premaxilla were poorly curved, and the two first teeth were the longest, with the second having a characteristic large size. The maxillary teeth were more slender, recurved, and most notably, the lower end was strongly more serrated than the upper one.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Sues1977-31)[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)
Postcranial skeleton
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_985_pes_line.png)
Line diagram of the pes of *V. mongoliensis* (MPC-D 100/985)
The arm of *Velociraptor* was formed by the [humerus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humerus "Humerus") (upper arm bone), [radius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radius_\(bone\) "Radius (bone)") and [ulna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulna "Ulna") (forearm bones), and [manus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manus_\(zoology\) "Manus (zoology)") (hand). *Velociraptor*, like other dromaeosaurids, had a large manus with three elongated [digits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit_\(anatomy\) "Digit (anatomy)") (fingers), which ended up in strongly curved unguals (claw bones) that were similar in construction and flexibility to the wing bones of modern [birds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird "Bird"). The second digit was the longest of the three digits present, while the first was shortest. The structure of the [carpal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal "Carpal") (wrist) bones prevented [pronation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronation "Pronation") of the wrist and forced the manus to be held with the [palmar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_terms_of_location "Anatomical terms of location") surface facing inward ([medially](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_and_medial "Lateral and medial")), not downward. The [pes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pes_\(anatomy\) "Pes (anatomy)") (foot) anatomy of *Velociraptor* consisted of the metatarsusâa large element composed of three metatarsals of which the first one was extremely reduced in sizeâand four digits that developed large unguals. The first digit, as in other theropods, was a small [dewclaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewclaw "Dewclaw"). The second digit, for which *Velociraptor* is most famous, was highly modified and held retracted off the ground, which caused *Velociraptor* and other dromaeosaurids to walk on only their third and fourth digits. It bore a relatively large, sickle-shaped claw, typical of dromaeosaurid and [troodontid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troodontid "Troodontid") dinosaurs. This enlarged claw, which could grow to over 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long around its outer edge, was most likely a predatory device used to restrain struggling prey.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor.jpg)
Skeletal reconstruction of *V. mongoliensis* (MPC-D 100/25)
As in other dromaeosaurs, *Velociraptor* tails had [prezygapophyses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prezygapophysis "Prezygapophysis") (long bony projections) on the upper surfaces of the [vertebrae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebra "Vertebra"), as well as [ossified](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossification "Ossification") [tendons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendon "Tendon") underneath. The prezygapophyses began on the tenth tail (caudal) vertebra and extended forward to brace four to ten additional vertebrae, depending on position in the tail. These were once thought to fully stiffen the tail, forcing the entire tail to act as a single rod-like unit. However, at least one specimen has preserved a series of intact tail vertebrae curved sideways into an *S*\-shape, suggesting that there was considerably more horizontal flexibility than once thought.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1997-11)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky1999-10)[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-fowler2011-32)
Classification
*Velociraptor* is a member of the group [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria"), a [derived](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synapomorphy "Synapomorphy") sub-group of the larger family Dromaeosauridae. It is often placed within its own subfamily, [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae"). In [phylogenetic taxonomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_taxonomy "Phylogenetic taxonomy"), Velociraptorinae is usually defined as "all dromaeosaurs more closely related to *Velociraptor* than to *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")*." However, dromaeosaurid classification is highly variable. Originally, the subfamily Velociraptorinae was erected solely to contain *Velociraptor*.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1983-5) Other analyses have often included other genera, usually *Deinonychus* and *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")*,[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-currie1995-33) and more recently *Tsaagan*.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norelletal2006-34) Several studies published during the 2010s, including expanded versions of the analyses that found support for Velociraptorinae, have failed to resolve it as a distinct group, but rather have suggested it is a paraphyletic grade which gave rise to the [Dromaeosaurinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurinae "Dromaeosaurinae").[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-AurornisNature-35)[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-DePalma_et_al.-36)
When first described in 1924, *Velociraptor* was placed in the family [Megalosauridae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalosauridae "Megalosauridae"), as was the case with most carnivorous dinosaurs at the time (Megalosauridae, like *[Megalosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalosaurus "Megalosaurus")*, functioned as a sort of 'wastebin' taxon, where many unrelated species were grouped together).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) As dinosaur discoveries multiplied, *Velociraptor* was later recognized as a dromaeosaurid. All dromaeosaurids have also been referred to the family [Archaeopterygidae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopterygidae "Archaeopterygidae") by at least one author (which would, in effect, make *Velociraptor* a flightless bird).[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37) In the past, other dromaeosaurid species, including *Deinonychus antirrhopus* and *Saurornitholestes langstoni*, have sometimes been classified in the genus *Velociraptor*. Since *Velociraptor* was the first to be named, these species were renamed *Velociraptor antirrhopus* and *V. langstoni*.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul1988-22) As of 2008, the only currently recognized species of *Velociraptor* are *V. mongoliensis*[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsboldosmolska1999-14)[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37)[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky2004-38) and *V. osmolskae*.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, several studies have found "*V.*" *osmolskae* to be distantly related to *V. mongoliensis*.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Currie2019-39)[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Jasinski2020-40)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dromaeosaurs.png)
Size of *Velociraptor* (2) compared with other dromaeosaurs
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptorines.jpg)
Comparison of some members of [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae"), featuring *Linheraptor*, *Tsaagan* and *Velociraptor*
Below are the results for the Eudromaeosauria [phylogeny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogeny "Phylogeny") based on the [phylogenetic analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetics "Phylogenetics") conducted by James G. Napoli and team in 2021 during the description of *[Kuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_kulla "Kuru kulla")*, showing the position of *Velociraptor*:[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27)
| | |
|---|---|
| [Eudromaeosauria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") | |
| | |
| | *[Saurornitholestes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornitholestes "Saurornitholestes")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saurornitholestes_langstoni_skeletal.png) |
| | |
| | *[Bambiraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambiraptor "Bambiraptor")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bambiraptor_reconstruction_\(flipped\).jpg) |
| | |
| [Dromaeosaurinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurinae "Dromaeosaurinae") | |
| | |
| | *[Achillobator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillobator "Achillobator")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Achillobator_reconstruction.png) |
| | *[Utahraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor "Utahraptor")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Utahraptor_Restoration.png) |
| | *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dromaeosaurus_Restoration.png) |
| [Velociraptorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorinae "Velociraptorinae") | |
| | |
| | |
| | *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Deinonychus_Restoration.png) |
| | |
| | |
| | *[Balaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaur_bondoc "Balaur bondoc")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Balaur.png) |
| | |
| | *[Shri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_\(genus\) "Shri (genus)")* [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shri_devi.jpg) |
| | ***Velociraptor*** [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_Restoration.png) |
Paleobiology
Feathers
In 2007 Alan H. Turner and colleagues reported the presence of six [quill knobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quill_knobs "Quill knobs") in the ulna of a referred *Velociraptor* specimen (IGM 100/981) from the Ukhaa Tolgod locality of the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation"). Turner and colleagues interpreted the presence of feathers on *Velociraptor* as evidence against the idea that the larger, flightless [maniraptorans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniraptora "Maniraptora") lost their feathers secondarily due to larger body size. Furthermore, they noted that quill knobs are almost never found in flightless bird species today, and that their presence in *Velociraptor* (presumed to have been flightless due to its relatively large size and short forelimbs) is evidence that the ancestors of dromaeosaurids could fly, making *Velociraptor* and other large members of this family secondarily flightless, though it is possible the large wing feathers inferred in the ancestors of *Velociraptor* had a purpose other than flight. The feathers of the flightless *Velociraptor* may have been used for display, for covering their nests while brooding, or for added speed and thrust when running up inclined slopes.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Turneer2007-26)
Because of the presence of another dromaeosaurid in Ukhaa Tolgod, *[Tsaagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaagan "Tsaagan")*, Napoli and team have noted that the referral of this specimen to *Velociraptor* is currently subject to reexamination.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Napoli2021-27)
Senses
Examinations of the endocranium of *Velociraptor* indicate that it was able to detect and hear a wide range of sound frequencies (2,368â3,965 Hz) and could track prey with ease as a result. The endocranium examinations also further cemented the theory that the dromaeosaur was an agile, swift predator. Fossil evidence suggesting *Velociraptor* scavenged also indicates that it was an opportunistic and actively predatory animal, feeding on carrion during times of drought or famine, if in poor health, or depending on the animal's age.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-41)
Feeding
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_ZPAL_MgD-I_97a_tooth.png)
Isolated tooth of ZPAL MgD-I/97a
In 2020, Powers and colleagues re-examined the [maxillae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxillae "Maxillae") of several [eudromaeosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudromaeosauria "Eudromaeosauria") taxa concluding that most Asian and North American eudromaeosaurs were separated by snout morphology and ecological strategies. They found the maxilla to be a reliable reference when inferring the shape of the [premaxilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premaxilla "Premaxilla") and overall [snout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snout "Snout"). For instance, most Asian species have elongated snouts based on the maxilla (namely [velociraptorines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptorines "Velociraptorines")), indicating a selective feeding in *Velociraptor* and relatives, such as picking up small, fast prey. In contrast, most North American eudromaeosaurs, mostly dromaeosaurines, feature a robust and deep maxillar morphology. However, the large dromaeosurine *Achillobator* is a unique exception to Asian taxa with its deep maxilla.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Powers2020-42)
Manabu Sakamoto in 2022 performed a Bayesian phylogenetic predictive modelling framework for estimating jaw muscle parameters and bite forces of several extinct archosaurs, based on skull widths and phylogenetic relationships between groups. Among studied taxa, *Velociraptor* was scored with a bite force of 304 [N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_\(unit\) "Newton (unit)"), which was lower than that of other dromaeosaurids such as *[Dromaeosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosaurus "Dromaeosaurus")* (885 N) or *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")* (706 N).[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-43)
Predatory behavior
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fighting_dinosaurs_\(1\).jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_v._Protoceratops_\(fixed\).jpg)
The "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen of *V. mongoliensis* and *Protoceratops andrewsi* and restoration of same
The "[Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")" specimen, found in 1971, preserves a *Velociraptor mongoliensis* and *[Protoceratops andrewsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops "Protoceratops")* in combat and provides direct evidence of predatory behavior. When originally reported, it was hypothesized that the two animals drowned.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-barsbold1974-7) However, as the animals were preserved in ancient sand dune deposits, it is now thought that the animals were buried in sand, either from a collapsing dune or in a [sandstorm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_storm "Dust storm"). Burial must have been extremely rapid, judging from the lifelike poses in which the animals were preserved. Parts of the *Protoceratops* are missing, which has been seen as evidence of [scavenging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavenger "Scavenger") by other animals.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-carpenter1998-44) Comparisons between the [scleral rings](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scleral_rings&action=edit&redlink=1 "Scleral rings (page does not exist)") of *Velociraptor*, *Protoceratops*, and modern birds and reptiles indicates that *Velociraptor* may have been [nocturnal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal "Nocturnal"), while *Protoceratops* may have been [cathemeral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathemeral "Cathemeral"), active throughout the day during short intervals, suggesting that the fight may have occurred at twilight or during low-light conditions.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-45)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fighting_Dinosaurs_size.png)
Size comparison of the Fighting Dinosaurs
The distinctive claw, on the second digit of dromaeosaurids, has traditionally been depicted as a slashing weapon; its assumed use being to cut and [disembowel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disembowel "Disembowel") prey.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-ostrom1969-46) In the "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen, the *Velociraptor* lies underneath, with one of its sickle claws apparently embedded in the throat of its prey, while the beak of *Protoceratops* is clamped down upon the right forelimb of its attacker. This suggests *Velociraptor* may have used its sickle claw to pierce vital organs of the throat, such as the [jugular vein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugular_vein "Jugular vein"), [carotid artery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotid_artery "Carotid artery"), or [trachea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate_trachea "Vertebrate trachea") (windpipe), rather than slashing the abdomen. The inside edge of the claw was rounded and not unusually sharp, which may have precluded any sort of cutting or slashing action, although only the bony core of the claw is preserved. The thick abdominal wall of [skin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin "Skin") and [muscle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle "Muscle") of large prey species would have been difficult to slash without a specialized cutting surface.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-carpenter1998-44) The slashing [hypothesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis "Hypothesis") was tested during a 2005 [BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC "BBC") documentary, *[The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truth_About_Killer_Dinosaurs "The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs")*. The producers of the program created an artificial *Velociraptor* leg with a sickle claw and used a [pork belly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_belly "Pork belly") to simulate the dinosaur's prey. Though the sickle claw did penetrate the abdominal wall, it was unable to tear it open, indicating that the claw was not used to disembowel prey.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-47)
Remains of *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*, a closely related dromaeosaurid, have commonly been found in aggregations of several individuals. *Deinonychus* has also been found in association with the large ornithopod *[Tenontosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenontosaurus "Tenontosaurus")*, which has been cited as evidence of cooperative (pack) hunting.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-maxwellostrom1995-48)[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-brinkmanetal1998-49) However, the only solid evidence for social behavior of any kind among dromaeosaurids comes from a Chinese trackway which shows six individuals of a large species moving as a group.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Lietal2007-50) Although many isolated fossils of *Velociraptor* have been found in Mongolia, none were closely associated with other individuals.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-norellmakovicky2004-38) Therefore, while *Velociraptor* is commonly depicted as a [pack hunter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_hunter "Pack hunter"), as in *Jurassic Park*, there is only limited fossil evidence to support this theory for dromaeosaurids in general and none specific to *Velociraptor* itself. Dromeosaur footprints in China suggest that a few other raptor genera may have hunted in packs, but there have been no conclusive examples of pack behavior found.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-51)[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-52)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_restraining_an_oviraptorosaur_by_durbed.jpg)
*V. mongoliensis* restraining an [oviraptorosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptorosaur "Oviraptorosaur") with its sickle claws
In 2011, Denver Fowler and colleagues suggested a new method by which dromaeosaurs like *Velociraptor* and similar dromaeosaurs may have captured and restrained prey. This model, known as the "raptor prey restraint" (RPR) model of predation, proposes that dromaeosaurs killed their prey in a manner very similar to extant [accipitrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accipitridae "Accipitridae") [birds of prey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_prey "Birds of prey"): by leaping onto their quarry, pinning it under their body weight, and gripping it tightly with the large, sickle-shaped claws. These researchers proposed that, like accipitrids, the dromaeosaur would then begin to feed on the animal while it was still alive, and prey death would eventually result from blood loss and organ failure. This proposal is based primarily on comparisons between the morphology and proportions of the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs to several groups of extant birds of prey with known predatory behaviors. Fowler found that the feet and legs of dromaeosaurs most closely resemble those of [eagles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle "Eagle") and [hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawk "Hawk"), especially in terms of having an enlarged second claw and a similar range of grasping motion. The short [metatarsus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsometatarsus "Tarsometatarsus") and foot strength, however, would have been more similar to that of [owls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl "Owl"). The RPR method of predation would be consistent with other aspects of *Velociraptor*'s anatomy, such as their unusual jaw and arm morphology. The arms, which could exert a lot of force but were likely covered in long feathers, may have been used as flapping stabilizers for balance while atop a struggling prey animal, along with the stiff counterbalancing tail. The jaws, thought by Fowler and colleagues to be comparatively weak, would have been useful for row saw motion bites like the modern day [Komodo dragon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon "Komodo dragon"), which also has a weak bite, to finish off its prey if the kicks were not powerful enough. These predatory adaptations working together may also have implications for the [origin of flapping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_avian_flight "Origin of avian flight") in [paravians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paravian "Paravian").[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-fowler2011-32)
Scavenging behavior
In 2010, Hone and colleagues published a paper on their 2008 discovery of shed teeth of what they believed to be a *Velociraptor* near a tooth-marked jaw bone of what they believed to be a *Protoceratops* in the Bayan Mandahu Formation. The authors concluded that the find represented "late-stage carcass consumption by *Velociraptor*" as the predator would have eaten other parts of a freshly killed *Protoceratops* before biting in the jaw area. The evidence was seen as supporting the inference from the "Fighting Dinosaurs" fossil that *Protoceratops* was part of the diet of *Velociraptor*.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Hone2010-53)
In 2012, Hone and colleagues published a paper that described a *Velociraptor* specimen with a long bone of an [azhdarchid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azhdarchid "Azhdarchid") [pterosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterosaur "Pterosaur") in its gut. This was interpreted as showing scavenging behaviour.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-hone2012-54)
In a 2024 study by Tse, Miller, and Pittman et al., focusing on the skull morphology and bite forces of various dromaeosaurids, it was discovered that *Velociraptor* had high bite force resistance compared to other dromaeosaurids such as *Dromaeosaurus* itself and *Deinonychus*, the latter of which was much larger. It is theorized by the authors that high bite force resistance was an adaptation towards obtaining food through scavenging more often than through active predation in *Velociraptor*.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-55)
Metabolism
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_MPC-D_100_54_skull_CT_scan.jpg)
3D scan and nasal cavity reconstruction of *V. mongoliensis* skull MPC-D 100/54
*Velociraptor* was [warm-blooded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm-blooded "Warm-blooded") to some degree, as it required a significant amount of energy to hunt. Modern animals that possess feathery or furry coats, like *Velociraptor* did, tend to be warm-blooded, since these coverings function as insulation. However, bone growth rates in dromaeosaurids and some early birds suggest a more moderate [metabolism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism "Metabolism"), compared with most modern warm-blooded mammals and birds. The [kiwi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi_\(bird\) "Kiwi (bird)") is similar to dromaeosaurids in anatomy, feather type, bone structure and even the narrow anatomy of the nasal passages (usually a key indicator of metabolism). The kiwi is a highly active, if specialized, flightless bird, with a stable body temperature and a fairly low resting metabolic rate, making it a good model for the metabolism of primitive birds and dromaeosaurids.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-paul2002-37)
In 2023, Seishiro Tada and team examined the nasal cavities of [ectotherm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectotherm "Ectotherm") (cold-blooded) or [endotherm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endotherm "Endotherm") (warm-blooded) species, in order to evaluate the [thermoregulatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulatory "Thermoregulatory") physiology of non-avian dinosaurs compared to these groups. They found that the size of the nasal cavity relative to the head size of extant endotherms is larger than those of extant ectotherms, and among taxa, *Velociraptor* was recovered below the extant endotherms level by reconstructing its nasal respiratory cavity. Tada with team suggested that *Velociraptor* and most other non-avian dinosaurs may not have possessed a fully or well-developed nasal thermoregulation apparatus as modern endothermic animals do.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-56)
Paleopathology
Norell with colleagues in 1995 reported one *V. mongoliensis* skull bearing two parallel rows of small punctures on its frontal bones that, upon closer examination, match the spacing and size of *Velociraptor* teeth. They suggested that the wound was likely inflicted by another *Velociraptor* during a [fight within the species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intraspecific_competition "Intraspecific competition"). Because its bone structure shows no sign of [healing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_healing "Bone healing") near the bite wounds and the overall specimen was not scavenged, this individual was likely killed by this fatal wound.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-57) In 2001 Molnar and team noted that this specimen is MPC-D 100/976 hailing from the Tugrik Shireh locality, which has also yielded the Fighting Dinosaurs specimen.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-molnar-pathology-58)
In 2012 David Hone and team reported another injured *Velociraptor* specimen (MPC-D 100/54, roughly a sub-adult individual) found with the bones of an [azhdarchid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azhdarchidae "Azhdarchidae") pterosaur within its stomach cavity, was carrying or recovering from an injury sustained to one broken rib. From evidence on the pterosaur bones, which were devoid of pitting or deformations from digestion, the *Velociraptor* died shortly after, possibly from the earlier injury. Nevertheless, the team noted that this broken ribs shows signs of bone healing.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-hone2012-54)
Paleoenvironment
Bayan Mandahu Formation
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linheraptor_exquisitus.jpg)
Restoration of related *Linheraptor* in paleoenvironment
In both [Bayan Mandahu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Mandahu_Formation "Bayan Mandahu Formation") and Djadochta formations many of the same genera were present, though they varied at the species level. These differences in species composition may be due a natural barrier separating the two formations, which are relatively close to each other geographically.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-PGetal2008-15) However, given the lack of any known barrier which would cause the specific faunal compositions found in these areas, it is more likely that those differences indicate a slight time difference.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Longrichetal10-59)
*V. osmolskae* lived alongside the ankylosaurid *[Pinacosaurus mephistocephalus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacosaurus_mephistocephalus "Pinacosaurus mephistocephalus")*; alvarezsaurid *[Linhenykus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linhenykus "Linhenykus")*; closely related dromaeosaurid *[Linheraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linheraptor "Linheraptor")*; oviraptorids *[Machairasaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machairasaurus "Machairasaurus")* and *[Wulatelong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wulatelong "Wulatelong")*; protoceratopsids *[Bagaceratops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagaceratops "Bagaceratops")* and *[Protoceratops hellenikorhinus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops_hellenikorhinus "Protoceratops hellenikorhinus")*; and troodontids *[Linhevenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linhevenator "Linhevenator")*, *[Papiliovenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papiliovenator "Papiliovenator")*, and *[Philovenator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philovenator "Philovenator")*.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Longrichetal10-59) Sediments across the formation indicate a similar depositional environment to that of the Djadochta Formation.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-60)
Djadochta Formation
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Velociraptor_mongoliensis.jpg)
Restoration of *V. mongoliensis* in the arid Djadochta settings
Known specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis* have been recovered from the [Djadochta Formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djadochta_Formation "Djadochta Formation") (also spelled Djadokhta), in the [Mongolian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia "Mongolia") province of [Ămnögovi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96mn%C3%B6govi_Province "Ămnögovi Province"). This [geological formation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geological_formation "Geological formation") is estimated to date back to the [Campanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanian "Campanian") [stage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_\(stratigraphy\) "Stage (stratigraphy)") (between 75 million and 71 million years ago) of the [Late Cretaceous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Cretaceous "Late Cretaceous") [epoch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_time_scale#Divisions_of_geologic_time "Geologic time scale").[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The abundant sedimentsâ[sands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand "Sand"), [sandstones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstone "Sandstone"), or [caliche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche "Caliche")âof the Djadochta Formation were deposited by [eolian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolian_processes "Aeolian processes") (wind) processes in arid settings with fields of sand [dunes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune "Dune") and only intermittent [streams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream "Stream"), as indicated by very sparse [fluvial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluvial "Fluvial") (river-deposited) sedimentation, under a [semi-arid climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate "Semi-arid climate").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-62)[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61)[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dingus2008-63)
The Djadochta Formation is separated into a lower Bayn Dzak Member and upper Turgrugyin Member. *V. mongoliensis* is known from both members, represented by numerous specimens.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The Bayn Dzak Member (mainly Bayn Dzak locality) has yielded the oviraptorid *[Oviraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oviraptor "Oviraptor")*; ankylosaurid *[Pinacosaurus grangeri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacosaurus_grangeri "Pinacosaurus grangeri")*; protoceratopsid *[Protoceratops andrewsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoceratops_andrewsi "Protoceratops andrewsi")*; and troodontid *[Saurornithoides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saurornithoides "Saurornithoides")*.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3)[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Dashzeveg2005-61) The younger Turgrugyin Member (mainly Tugriken Shireh locality) has produced the bird *[Elsornis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsornis "Elsornis")*; dromaeosaurid *[Mahakala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakala_omnogovae "Mahakala omnogovae")*: ornithomimid *[Aepyornithomimus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aepyornithomimus "Aepyornithomimus")*; and protoceratopsid *Protoceratops andrewsi*.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-64)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-65)
*V. mongoliensis* has been found at many of the most famous and prolific Djadochta localities. The type specimen was discovered at the [Flaming Cliffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_Cliffs "Flaming Cliffs") site (sublocality of the larger Bayn Dzak locality/region),[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-osborn1924a-3) while the "Fighting Dinosaurs" were found at the Tugrik Shire locality (also known as Tugrugeen Shireh and many other spellings).[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-kjbarsbold1972-6) The latter is notorious for its exceptional *[in situ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ "In situ")* fossil preservation. Based on deposits (such as structureless sandstones), it has been concluded that a large number of specimens were buried alive during powerful sand-bearing events, common to these paleoenvironments.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-66)
Cultural significance
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dinosaur_Input_Device_Velociraptor.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_%E4%B8%AD%E7%92%B0%E8%A1%97%E5%B8%82_Central_Market_shopping_mall_%E5%95%86%E5%A0%B4_June_2022_Px3_exhibition_Jurassic_World_04.jpg)
The "Dinosaur Input Device" *Velociraptor* used for creating some of the [CGI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-generated_imagery "Computer-generated imagery") effects in *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)")* (left), and the design from the *[Jurassic World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World "Jurassic World")* trilogy, Hong Kong (right)
*Velociraptor* is commonly perceived as a vicious and cunning killer thanks to their portrayal in the 1990 novel *[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(novel\) "Jurassic Park (novel)")* by [Michael Crichton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Crichton "Michael Crichton") and its 1993 [film adaptation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)"), directed by [Steven Spielberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg "Steven Spielberg"). The ["raptors" portrayed in *Jurassic Park*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptors_in_Jurassic_Park "Velociraptors in Jurassic Park") were actually modeled after the closely related [dromaeosaurid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromaeosauridae "Dromaeosauridae") *[Deinonychus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinonychus "Deinonychus")*. Paleontologists in both the novel and film excavate a skeleton in [Montana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana "Montana"), far from the central Asian range of *Velociraptor* but characteristic of the *Deinonychus* range.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-crichton1990-67) Crichton met with the discoverer of *Deinonychus*, [John Ostrom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ostrom "John Ostrom"), several times at [Yale University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University "Yale University") to discuss details of the animal's possible range of behaviors and appearance. Crichton at one point apologetically told Ostrom that he had decided to use the name *Velociraptor* in place of *Deinonychus* because the former name was "more dramatic." According to Ostrom, Crichton stated that the *Velociraptor* of the novel was based on *Deinonychus* in almost every detail, and that only the name had been changed. The *Jurassic Park* filmmakers also requested all of Ostrom's published papers on *Deinonychus* during production.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-jw_yalenews_2015-68) They portrayed the animals with the size, proportions, and snout shape of *Deinonychus* rather than *Velociraptor*.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Duncan2006-69)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-bakker1995-70)
Production on *Jurassic Park* began before the discovery of the large dromaeosaurid *[Utahraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor "Utahraptor")* was made public in 1991, but as Jody Duncan wrote about this discovery: "Later, after we had designed and built the raptor, there was a discovery of a raptor skeleton in Utah, which they labeled 'super-slasher.' They had uncovered the largest Velociraptor to date and it measured five-and-a-half-feet tall, just like ours. So we designed it, we built it, and then they discovered it. That still boggles my mind."[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-Duncan2006-69) Spielberg's name was briefly considered for naming of the new dinosaur in exchange for funding of field work, but no agreement was reached.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-adams1993-71)
*[Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_\(film\) "Jurassic Park (film)")* and its sequel *[The Lost World: Jurassic Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World:_Jurassic_Park "The Lost World: Jurassic Park")* were released before the discovery that dromaeosaurs had feathers, so the *Velociraptor* in both films were depicted as scaled and featherless. For *[Jurassic Park III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_III "Jurassic Park III"),* the male *Velociraptor* was given quill-like structures along the back of the head and neck, but these structures do not resemble the feathers that *Velociraptor* would have had in reality due to reasons of continuity.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-dhar2013-72) The *[Jurassic World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World "Jurassic World")* sequel trilogy ignored the feathers of *Velociraptor*, adhering to the designs from *Jurassic Park*.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-polo2015-73) However, the dromaeosaur *[Pyroraptor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroraptor "Pyroraptor")* was feathered for *[Jurassic World Dominion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_World_Dominion "Jurassic World Dominion")*, along with other changes such as stiffening the tail to account for ossified tendons and de-pronating the hands.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_note-katwala2022-74)
See also
- [Fighting Dinosaurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs "Fighting Dinosaurs")
- [Timeline of dromaeosaurid research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_dromaeosaurid_research "Timeline of dromaeosaurid research")
References
1. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-auto_1-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-auto_1-1)
Currie, Philip J., ed. (2004). *Feathered dragons: studies on the transition from dinosaurs to birds*. Life of the past. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-253-34373-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-253-34373-4 "Special:BookSources/978-0-253-34373-4")
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2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-2)**
[Wells, John C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Wells "John C. Wells") (2008). *Longman Pronunciation Dictionary* (3 rd ed.). Longman. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4058-8118-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4058-8118-0 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4058-8118-0")
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3. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924a_3-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924a_3-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924a_3-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924a_3-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924a_3-4)
Osborn, H. F. (1924). ["Three new Theropoda, Protoceratops zone, central Mongolia"](https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/items/25d800cd-76d7-4ced-9dae-39e46f746def). *American Museum Novitates* (144): 1â12\. [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[2246/3223](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F3223). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [40272928](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/40272928).
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-osborn1924b_4-0)**
Osborn, H. F. (1924). ["The discovery of an unknown continent"](https://archive.org/details/naturalhistory2416newy/page/132/mode/2up). *Natural History*. **24** (2): 133â149\.
5. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-barsbold1983_5-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-barsbold1983_5-1)
Barsbold, Rinchen (1983). ["Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia"](https://www.geokniga.org/bookfiles/geokniga-hishchnye-dinozavry-mela-mongolii.pdf) (PDF). *Transactions of the Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition* (in Russian). **19**: 5â119\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210831103445/https://www.geokniga.org/bookfiles/geokniga-hishchnye-dinozavry-mela-mongolii.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
6. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-kjbarsbold1972_6-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-kjbarsbold1972_6-1)
Kielan-Jaworowska, Zofia; Barsbold, Rinchen (1972). ["Narrative of the Polish-Mongolian Paleontological Expeditions"](http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1972-27_5-13_1-2.pdf) (PDF). *Paleontologica Polonica*. **27**: 11. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231104085352/http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1972-27_5-13_1-2.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
7. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-barsbold1974_7-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-barsbold1974_7-1)
Barsbold, Rinchen (1974). ["Saurornithoididae, a new family of theropod dinosaurs from Central Asia and North America"](http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1974_30_5-22_1-4.pdf) (PDF). *Paleontologica Polonica*. **30**: 5â22\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063432/http://www.palaeontologia.pan.pl/Archive/1974_30_5-22_1-4.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-amnh_8-0)**
American Museum of Natural History (c. 2000). ["Fighting Dinosaurs: New Discoveries from Mongolia: Exhibition Highlights"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101123223227/http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/fightingdinos/ex-fd.php). Archived from [the original](http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/fightingdinos/ex-fd.php) on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-jerzykiewiczetal1993_9-0)**
Jerzykiewicz, Tomasz; [Currie, Philip J.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Currie "Phil Currie"); Eberth, David A.; Johnston, P.A.; Koster, E.H.; Zheng, J.-J. (1993). "Djadokhta Formation correlative strata in Chinese Inner Mongolia: an overview of the stratigraphy, sedimentary geology, and paleontology and comparisons with the type locality in the pre-Altai Gobi". *Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences*. **30** (10): 2180â2195\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_\(identifier\) "Bibcode (identifier)"):[1993CaJES..30.2180J](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993CaJES..30.2180J). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1139/e93-190](https://doi.org/10.1139%2Fe93-190).
10. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1999_10-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1999_10-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1999_10-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1999_10-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1999_10-4)
Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1999). "Important features of the dromaeosaurid skeleton II: information from newly collected specimens of *Velociraptor mongoliensis*". *American Museum Novitates* (3282): 1â45\. [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[2246/3025](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F3025).
11. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1997_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1997_11-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1997_11-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-norellmakovicky1997_11-3)
Norell, Mark A.; Makovicky, Peter J. (1997). "Important features of the dromaeosaur skeleton: information from a new specimen". *American Museum Novitates* (3215): 1â28\. [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[2246/3557](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F3557).
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Novacek, Michael J. (1996). *Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs*. New York: Anchor Books. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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Turner, A.H.; Montanari, S.; Norell, M.A. (2021). ["A New Dromaeosaurid from the Late Cretaceous Khulsan Locality of Mongolia"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/290018). *American Museum Novitates* (3965): 1â48\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1206/3965.1](https://doi.org/10.1206%2F3965.1). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [231597229](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:231597229).
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Barsbold, R.; OsmĂłlska, H. (1999). ["The skull of Velociraptor (Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia"](https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app44/app44-189.pdf) (PDF). *Acta Palaeontologica Polonica*. **44** (2): 189â219\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220714025149/https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app44/app44-189.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
15. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-PGetal2008_15-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-PGetal2008_15-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor#cite_ref-PGetal2008_15-2)
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External links |
| Shard | 152 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 17790707453426894952 |
| Unparsed URL | org,wikipedia!en,/wiki/Velociraptor s443 |