Raptors lived on four continents

I can’t wait. Maybe I’ll run into some old friends of mine!

Adasaurus The Adasaurus (Ada lizard) was about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long and weighed between 50 and 75 pounds. Its name comes from Mongolian mythology where Ada is an evil spirit. It had a tall skull, but not necessarily a bigger brain than other raptors. Compared to other raptors, its deadly claw was tiny.

Unenlagia The Unenlagia (half-bird) was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weighed 50 pounds. It had large arms covered in feathers. The arms had a wider range of motion than most other raptors, which make scientists wonder if they were able to glide. But, its large size would have made it very difficult for it to fly, making the purpose of its feathered and well developed arms a mystery for paleontologists.

Utahraptor Its lethal back claw was about a foot long and was probably used to slice open its prey. Then it would wait for it to bleed to death before eating it. It was probably warm-blooded with feathers all over its body. The Utahraptor (Utah thief) was about 23 feet (7 meters) long and weighed between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds. It lived on North America. It was one of the first, as well as, the largest of all the raptors.

Dromaeosaurus The Dromaeosaurus (running lizard) was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weighed 25 pounds. It probably had feathers. It had a very sturdy and strong skull, jaw, and teeth, which made it unique among the raptors. Beyond a few fossils found in Canada, not many dromaeosaurus fossils have been discovered.

 The Velociraptor (speedy thief) was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weighed between pounds.  It was first discovered in the Gobi desert.  Paleontologists have discovered fossils of a Velociraptor and a Protoceratops locked together in the middle of a fight. They were probably buried alive in a sandstorm.  The genetically recreated Velociraptors in the movie Jurassic Park are closer in size to a large Deinonychus than to a true Velociraptor, which was much smaller. Velociraptor

Deinonychus The Deinonychus (terrible claw) was about 12 feet (3.6 meters) long and weighed about 150 pounds. Its claim to fame is starring in the movie “Jurassic Park”, though the Velociraptor gets all the credit. As the picture shows, the Deinonychus was probably covered with feathers. Many scientists believe the dinosaurs are the ancestors of birds, and the Deinonychus spawned this belief. They probably hunted in packs.

Even though it doesn’t look like a mammal, its name comes from the famous Disney movie about the cute deer. It was first discovered by a 14 year old boy in the state of Montana. An intact skeleton has been discovered and scientists study it looking for connections between dinosaurs and birds. The Bambiraptor was about two feet (.6 meters) long and weighed about 5 pounds.

Microraptor The Microraptor (small thief) was about 2 feet (.6 meters) long and weighed 3-4 pounds. It had four wings. Two on its arms and two on its legs. Even though it had multiple wings, it probably couldn’t actually fly. It most likely would glide from tree tops, much like a flying squirrel. It would eat fish and other small animals.

Raptors Raptors Raptors are considered to be smart. List 3 – 5 ways you think a raptor may demonstrate its intelligence based on the information. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Raptors Raptors Paleontologists are not sure of the purpose of the feathers. IF they think raptors couldn’t fly, then why did they have feathers? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Raptors Raptors Raptors might have hunted their prey in packs. Why do you think they would have hunted in packs? What advantages would hunting in groups give the raptor? What characteristics would an animal need to be able to hunt in a pack? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________