Velociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur for which fossils have been found dating from 80 to 75 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous Epoch of the Cretaceous Period. There is only one universally-recognized species, although others have been attributed in the past. Fossils of this species have been found in central Asia, from both Inner and Outer Mongolia. It was a bipedal carnivore with a long, stiffened tail and had an enlarged, sickle-shaped claw on each hindfoot, which is thought to have been used to kill its prey. Velociraptor can be distinguished from other dromaeosaurids by its long and low skull, with an upturned snout. Due in large part to its prominent role in the Jurassic Park motion picture series, Velociraptor is one of the most familiar dinosaur genera among the general public. It is also well-known to paleontologists, with over a dozen recovered fossil skeletons - the most of any dromaeosaurid. (More...)
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