# Velociraptor (*Velociraptor mongoliensis*)

Velociraptor was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Legendary
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains

![Velociraptor](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424341/objects/5753.jpg)

## Appearance

The Velociraptor is a slender, bipedal dinosaur covered in feathers, likely shades of brown, grey, or beige for camouflage. It has a long, stiff tail and distinctive large, retractable sickle-shaped claws on each foot, making it visually unique.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Fossils show it fought a Protoceratops in a famous death grip!
- It was only about the size of a turkey, not as big as in movies!
- Its name means 'swift thief' because it was so fast!
- Its stiff tail acted like a balancing pole for super-fast turns!

## Special abilities

- **Sickle Claw Attack:** Velociraptor has a large retractable sickle-shaped claw on each foot that helps them deeply slash and pin down prey.
- **Feathered Camouflage:** Velociraptor had a covering of feathers that helped them blend into their environment and stay warm in varied temperatures.
- **Keen Sensory Hunter:** Velociraptor possessed excellent eyesight and a strong sense of smell that helped them track and locate prey effectively.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 1.8-2 m
- **Weight:** 15-20 kg
- **Era:** Late Cretaceous Period
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 66

## Diet & Feeding

A quick and agile hunter, Velociraptor ate other smaller dinosaurs, lizards, and early mammals.

- **Primary Foods:** Protoceratops, Small dinosaurs, Lizards, Early mammals
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** [Protoceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/protoceratops) (*Protoceratops andrewsi*) — A common prey item, often depicted in fossil evidence.
- **Hunts:** Shuvuuia (*Shuvuuia deserti*) — A small, bird-like dinosaur found in the same habitat.
- **Hunts:** Kryptobaatar (*Kryptobaatar dashzevegi*) — Small, shrew-like mammal that shared its environment.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Velociraptor?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Velociraptor?

1.8-2 m

### How much does Velociraptor weigh?

15-20 kg

### What does Velociraptor eat?

A quick and agile hunter, Velociraptor ate other smaller dinosaurs, lizards, and early mammals.

### Where is Velociraptor usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Velociraptor hunt?

Pursuit

### What geologic era did Velociraptor live in?

Late Cretaceous Period

### When did Velociraptor go extinct?

66

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Velociraptor: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/velociraptor)