Utahraptor
Cretaceous feathered predator
Utahraptor is a genus of large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in North America during the Early Cretaceous period, roughly 125 million years ago.
A member of the dromaeosaurid family—the group commonly called raptors—it was among the largest of its kind, reaching about 20 feet in length.
Like its smaller relatives, it had a distinctive curved claw on each hind foot, used for slashing prey.
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- VelociraptorFast predatory dinosaur genus
- saurischianLizard-hipped dinosaur clade
- archosaurRuling reptile clade member
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
reptile · prehistoric · extinct · skeleton · paleontology · paleobiology · Cretaceous · Mesozoic
Curved predatory toe weapon
- talonsHooked bird claws
- curvedSmoothly bent, not angular
- serratedHaving toothlike projections
- retractableAble to draw inward
hooked · piercing · slashing · gripping · weaponry · disemboweling · hyperextended
Surprise strike from concealment
- hunterPursuer of prey
- packGroup or compress
- preyAnimal being hunted
- stalkerObsessive, unwelcome follower
carnivore · apex · territory · pursuit · attack · killing · iguanodonts · hunting strategy
Act of unearthing
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
petrification · specimen · fragmentary · reconstruction · Early Cretaceous · North America · discovery
Bird's complete feather coat
- quillFeather used for writing
- downyHaving soft, fine texture
- filamentousComposed of thin strands
- covertsConcealing undergrowth or plumage
insulation · display · keratinous · molting · integument
Fast predatory dinosaur genus
- SpinosaurusSail-spined Cretaceous theropod
- GiganotosaurusLarge Argentine carnivorous dinosaur
- MegalosaurusPioneering dinosaur genus description
- AlbertosaurusLate Cretaceous theropod genus
theropod
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- VelociraptorFast predatory dinosaur genus
- saurischianLizard-hipped dinosaur clade
- archosaurRuling reptile clade member
carnivore · reptile · prehistoric · extinct · skeleton · paleontology · paleobiology · Cretaceous · Mesozoic · apex predator
sickle claw
Curved predatory toe weapon
retractable · hooked · piercing · slashing · gripping · weaponry · disemboweling · hyperextended
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
stalker · carnivore · apex · territory · pursuit · attack · killing · iguanodonts · hunting strategy
excavation
Act of unearthing
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
mineralization · petrification · specimen · fragmentary · reconstruction · Early Cretaceous · North America · discovery
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
- quillFeather used for writing
- downyHaving soft, fine texture
- filamentousComposed of thin strands
coverts · insulation · display · keratinous · molting · integument
Velociraptor
Fast predatory dinosaur genus
- SpinosaurusSail-spined Cretaceous theropod
- GiganotosaurusLarge Argentine carnivorous dinosaur
- MegalosaurusPioneering dinosaur genus description