Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Velociraptor

Velociraptor mongoliensis

Extinct

This animal is extinct. No living individuals remain.

Status source

Velociraptor mongoliensis was a small feathered predatory dinosaur of Cretaceous Asia. It was far smaller than many screen portrayals and carried a distinctive enlarged claw on each hind foot.

Velociraptor, AI-generated lifelike reconstruction
AI-generated reconstruction. Colors and soft tissues are interpretive.

At a glance

Habitat
Desert
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Other animals.

Classification

Common name
Velociraptor
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Velociraptor mongoliensis
Taxon rank
species
Family
Dromaeosauridae
Genus
Velociraptor
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It had feathers.
  • Each hind foot carried an enlarged curved claw.
  • It was much smaller than famous film versions.

Habitat and range

Fossils from Mongolia and nearby Asian deposits record Velociraptor in ancient dry landscapes. Discoveries include animals preserved together with prey or competitors, offering unusual glimpses of their lives.

Appearance and adaptations

A long stiffened tail balanced the slender body. Feather attachment evidence supports a feathered appearance, and an enlarged curved second-toe claw was held off the ground during ordinary walking.

Diet and behaviour

Sharp teeth and grasping limbs indicate animal prey. The enlarged foot claw may have helped restrain a capture rather than acting as a simple slashing weapon. Fossils also indicate that scavenging could supplement hunting.

Sources

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