Facts About Velociraptor
Although the most famous dinosaur is considered to be the T. Rex , you’ve probably heard about or seen the Velociraptor, too! These little guys were known for being super quick and sneaky, but there are lots of other fun facts to learn about them. Keep reading to discover more interesting qualities about Velociraptors, including what made them such a strong, ferocious predator despite their tiny size.
You’ve probably already seen them in movies like Jurassic Park, showcasing how small and speedy they could be. But are the movie versions accurate to what a Velociraptor was like? Keep reading to find out more!
What did the Velociraptor look like? How big was it?
Velociraptors were tiny dinosaurs, standing at about 0.5 metres tall and 1.6 metres long. That’s probably even smaller than you! To put it in perspective, they were about the size of a large turkey but with razor-sharp teeth and claws. It also had a curved claw on each foot to help it grab onto its prey. While we’re always still learning what dinosaurs looked like, check out the examples below!
They’re funny-looking, huh? Especially with those big beady eyes! Did you notice its long tail? The Velociraptor’s tail was both long and stiff to help it balance, especially when running or making sharp turns. Imagine how a sports car turns a corner without losing its speed—that’s exactly what a Velociraptor could do! You had to be speedy in the dinosaur world to catch your meal, so it’s no surprise the Velociraptor was built for quick, balanced, and effective chasing.
As the exact appearance of dinosaurs remains uncertain, the images above are provided for illustrative purposes only and have been generated using AI technology.
How fast was the Velociraptor?
Despite being smaller than some other dinosaurs, the Velociraptor could run as fast as 40 miles per hour. It could not only outrun humans and cars with ease but could almost run as fast as a cheetah! Wouldn’t that be a sight to see? Velociraptors were also highly intelligent creatures. Combined with their amazing speed, they were incredibly effective hunters; Able to not only chase but corner or trap their prey. Scientists believe they would hunt in packs, using their brains to work and hunt together.
What did the Velociraptor eat?
The Velociraptor was a carnivore, meaning it would have eaten meat like small animals or even other dinosaurs. Despite being small, its big brains and speedy movement would have made it no match for smaller predators. They may even have been able to hunt in groups to take down larger prey! Velociraptors weren’t picky eaters, and it’s likely they had quite a varied diet of different dinosaurs and other small animals.
It’s believed they also hunted for things like lizards and eggs but with their sharp teeth and claws, even larger dinosaurs may not have withstood the intelligent, overwhelming power of a group of Velociraptors. Additionally, their jaws were super strong to help them crunch and chew their prey!
Where did the Velociraptor live?
The Velociraptor lived around 75 million years ago, which is way before humans ever existed. If you counted a year each second, it would take over two years to count to 75 million—that’s crazy! Back then, Velociraptors lived in deserts and plains, which would now be Mongolia. The area was dry and warm, with lots of small dinosaurs and other animals for Velociraptors to hunt. Its sharp claws might even have been helpful in the desert environment, allowing the Velociraptor to run quickly through sand and dry dirt.
What killed the Velociraptor?
Although some dinosaurs went extinct from other causes like climate change, the Velociraptor lived until about 65 million years ago when the mass extinction event occurred. This is when a meteor impacted the Earth, causing massive climate issues like fires and tsunamis. Although we don’t know if dinosaurs definitely died out from this event, it’s likely that the resulting climate wouldn’t have been suitable regardless.
Even if the Velociraptor survived, many other animals died off and would have left nothing for Velociraptors to eat. As carnivores, they needed meat to survive, and it would’ve been hard to find it after a meteor hit! Unfortunately, even those razor teeth and quick legs couldn’t outrun climate change. Even a mighty T. Rex was no match for changing climates and a lack of food to hunt.
Fun Velociraptor Facts
- Some scientists believe Velociraptors had feathers, looking more like a big bird rather than a reptile! Even if it didn’t grow up with feathers, baby Velociraptors likely had feathers that they later shed.
- Its claws were up to 2.5 inches long, which is about as long as your finger! Can you imagine sharp teeth that are that big?
- The Velociraptor had one claw on its back feet that was longer than the others and curved like a sickle. Scientists believe this was used to slash and claw at prey, though it may also have helped propel them speedily through deserts!
- Its name comes from two Latin words: “velocis” and “raptor”, which means “swift thief! Can you be a swift thief like a Velociraptor?
- Velociraptors had excellent vision! With large, focused eyes on the front of their heads, they had great depth perception, helping them sneak up on prey and judge distances.
- Some scientists believe that Velociraptors might have used high-pitched sounds to communicate with each other. Talking would help them hunt in teams!
Closing Summary:
The Velociraptor may have been small, but its ferocity and might certainly made up for its size! As one of the smartest dinosaurs to walk the Earth, it was also one of the most dangerous. Not many creatures would have withstood their intelligent attacks, especially if they were hunting in groups. Or, who knows, maybe there are other dinosaurs that were even smarter or faster, and we have yet to discover them…
If you keep exploring and learning, maybe you’ll be a part of these discoveries someday! Whether you’re a budding palaeontologist or an aspiring scientist, there’s always plenty to learn in the dinosaur world, and plenty more fossils to be discovered. For now, how about checking out our other articles for more fun and unique facts about dinosaurs?
Velociraptor Questions & Answers
Having learned all about the fascinating Velociraptor, why not test your knowledge with our Velociraptor quiz? We’ve created a fun set of 10 questions that cover everything from their size and speed to their diet and habitat. It’s the perfect way to reinforce what you’ve just discovered and challenge yourself to remember those cool facts!
Download our Velociraptor Quiz now and see how much you’ve learned. With questions that are both fun and educational, it’s an awesome way to dive deeper into the world of dinosaurs. So, why not grab the quiz, give it a go, and see how well you know these speedy, clever creatures?
