Raptor dinosaurs are somewhat of an all-purpose term to describe a range of theropod dinosaurs, but one uniquely defining characteristic that puts them in a category all their own is sickle-shaped claws on their second toes. These were some of the most effective killing machines on the face of the Earth, with incredible speed, agility, and intelligence, making them two-legged terrors such as the world has rarely seen and heard of.

Different Types of Raptors

The term "raptor" is used basically interchangeably with "Velociraptor," though there were many, many species of raptor dinosaurs. Here are some of the most well-known raptor dinosaur types:

Velociraptor

This little but vicious predator is perhaps the most iconic raptor dinosaur because of its fame in the Jurassic Park films. Velociraptors were intelligent and feathered, unlike the scaly reptiles in the movies.

Deinonychus

A little larger than Velociraptor, but had even longer arms and a more chunky build. In the United States in the 1960's; it was important in the development of the theory that evolution from dinosaurs is traceable through birds.

Troodon

It is also a relatively small raptor with a large brain relative to body size. It can be said that it stands among the intelligent dinosaurs and even might have hunted at night time.

Microraptor

It was the smallest of all the raptors. The Microraptor had four wings. This would make it one of the direct relatives to birds. It should have been able to glide and to fly within short distances.

Main Characteristics of Raptor Dinosaur

Bipedal: The raptors walked through bipedal locomotion, i.e., they were two-legged creatures.

Feathered: Many of the raptors were feathered, which shows that they are warm-blooded.

Agile: With their long legs and tails, the raptors can be highly agile.

Predatory: Raptors is an active hunter, possessing strong claws and sharp teeth to catch their prey.

Medium Size: All of them were small to medium-sized creatures. While most of the raptors are lesser than man, some of the raptors such as Utahraptor, were reasonably large in size.

Raptor Dinosaur Speed

One of the more fabulous features of the raptor dinosaurs is their running speed. They are supposed to have run at up to 40 miles per hour, or 64 kilometers per hour. This phenomenal speed along with its sharpened claws and teeth make them excellent predators.

How Do The Raptors Hunt?

Raptors must have been a pack of predators, utilizing their swiftness and agility in delivering flanking attacks. It is likely that the curved claws were used in slashing flesh and delivering slashing wounds that were deep enough to be fatal. They must also have utilized their intelligence to outsmart their prey, perhaps by setting traps or by stalking in camouflage modes of operation.

History of Raptors

They are thought to have arisen as side branches of smaller theropod dinosaurs, and by the Late Jurassic, these raptors had diversified and thrived well into the Cretaceous period, eventually giving rise to the first birds.

Fossils of raptors are very important in giving information on the anatomy, behavior, and ecology of these birds. Many well-preserved raptor fossils had feathers that are believed to have provided them with some sort of advantage.

Conclusion

These were rather fascinating raptor dinosaurs, and hence, very key players in the Mesozoic ecosystem. Their brains, speed, agility, and thus securing the top positions as predators did not make them less impactful; their fossils have very much been used to inform on evolution of the dinosaur and bird.