Velociraptor

Overview

Velociraptor mongoliensis was a small, carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. Fossils found in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert reveal a swift predator with a sickle-shaped claw and possibly feathers on its arms.

Despite being only turkey-sized—around 6.5 ft (2 m) in length and about 30 lbs—Velociraptor could run at estimated speeds up to 40 mph. It likely used its stiffened tail for balance while chasing prey.

Quick Facts

Diet

Carnivore (small animals, possibly scavenged)

Speed

Up to ~40 mph (est.)

Weight

~30 lbs (13-14 kg)

Length

~6.5 ft (~2 m)

Bite Force

~200 psi (estimated)

Discovery & Significance

The first Velociraptor fossils were discovered in 1923 during expeditions to Mongolia. Named by paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn, its name means “swift thief,” underscoring its agility and probable hunting style.

Popular culture often depicts Velociraptor as larger than evidence suggests—films have dramatized its size. Real specimens, however, confirm a smaller but still formidable predator, known especially from the famous “Fighting Dinosaurs” fossil capturing a raptor and a Protoceratops mid-battle.

Velociraptor vs. Other Small Theropods

More Details

Velociraptor was a small but formidable predator roaming the deserts of Late Cretaceous Asia about 75 to 71 million years ago. Averaging 1.5–2 meters (5–7 ft) in length and weighing roughly 14–20 kilograms (31–44 lb), it was notably more petite than popular culture depictions. Yet, fossilized evidence demonstrates it had all the predatory tools of its bigger relatives: a swift, agile body, feathered limbs, and the signature “sickle claw” on each foot. This claw, perched on the second digit, could be retracted off the ground while walking, ready to pin or slash at small prey in fleeting, ambush-style attacks. Unlike the large dromaeosaurs from North America, Velociraptor had a slender skull and up-curved snout. Its jaws contained rows of serrated teeth—more strongly serrated along the rear edge, ideal for gripping or slicing. Its arms were relatively long, leading into three-fingered hands tipped by curved claws. These forelimbs were also likely covered by prominent feathers, indicated by quill knobs on at least one specimen. Though flightless, Velociraptor’s plumage may have aided in display, stabilization during sprints, or shielding its nest. The famed “Fighting Dinosaurs” discovery perfectly illustrates Velociraptor’s hunting prowess: one fossil immortalizes a Velociraptor locked in combat with Protoceratops, each animal possibly inflicting fatal injuries upon the other. Other specimens reveal quill knobs and further confirm feathers were a baseline feature within the group. Velociraptor’s environment, as seen in Mongolia’s Djadochta Formation, was arid, with shifting dunes that occasionally buried struggling animals alive. Though sometimes depicted as a pack hunter, fossil proof of cooperative behavior remains limited. Most paleontologists believe that Velociraptor scouted for solitary opportunities, preying on small herbivores or scavenging from larger carcasses when possible. Agile and bright, it had well-developed senses. As one of the best-studied dromaeosaurids, Velociraptor offers a vivid testament to the adaptations that made these “raptor” dinosaurs so successful in their final Late Cretaceous ecosystems—and so captivating to dinosaur enthusiasts worldwide.

References & Further Reading