Velociraptor

Environment and Ecology

Size and Appearance

Diet and Hunting Behavior

Given its narrow skull, small size, and lightweight frame, Velociraptor likely preyed on small animals such as reptiles, insects, mammals, and juvenile dinosaurs. It was probably an active predator but also scavenged when the opportunity arose. Evidence for scavenging comes from a fossil specimen of Velociraptor that contained a bone from an Azhdarchid pterosaur in its stomach. Azhdarchids were significantly larger than Velociraptor, indicating this was likely a scavenging event.

Despite its portrayal as a pack hunter in Jurassic Park, there is no clear evidence that Velociraptor lived or hunted in groups. In fact, no fossils of multiple Velociraptor individuals have been found together. There are some fossilized trackways showing dromaeosaurs (a group that includes Velociraptor and many of its close relatives) moving together, however there are many possible explanations for this, and no such trackways have been found specifically for Velociraptor. It is certainly possible that Velociraptor lived or hunted in packs, but for now we just don't know.

Arms, Hands, and Feet

Velociraptor’s arm was made up of the humerus, radius, and ulna, ending in a large hand with three digits. The second digit was the longest, and the first digit was the shortest. Contrary to movie depictions where Velociraptor is seen opening doors, Velociraptor’s hands weren't positioned like human hands, with palms facing down. Instead, imagine a bird folding its wings or someone holding a basketball - Velociraptor’s palms faced each other, with wrists turned inward. They couldn’t rotate their wrists to point palms downward like in movies. Their hands stayed facing inward or toward each other, as if always ready to clap or hold something from the sides.

On its foot, Velociraptor walked on the third and fourth toes, while the second toe had a sickle-shaped claw that was held off the ground and used to grip or hold prey. This is the claw that the Jurassic ParkVelociraptor is seen tapping on the ground, though in reality, they would have wanted to keep this claw sharp and would not have tapped it on the ground unnecessarily. The first claw, known as the dewclaw - a small, less developed claw on the inner side of the foot - did not play a significant role in grasping or holding prey.

Tail and Feathers

Velociraptor’s tail was stiffened by long bony projections and hardened (ossified) tendons, making it act like a rigid rod. However, some tail bones had a slight S-shaped curve, allowing limited side-to-side movement.

Unlike its scaly movie counterpart, Velociraptor actually had feathers. In 2007, scientists discovered quill knobs (small bumps on the bones where feathers attach) on a Velociraptor fossil. Although Velociraptor's arms were too short for flight, this discovery suggests its ancestors could likely fly, and Velociraptor itself later became flightless. The feathers may have served other purposes like attracting mates, protecting their eggs, or controlling body temperature. It has also been suggested that their feathers may have helped Velociraptor run up steep surfaces more easily, through a technique called Wing-Assisted Incline Running. Modern birds use this method by flapping their wings rapidly to generate extra lift, allowing them to move quickly up steep or vertical obstacles. Even though Velociraptor couldn't fly, its feathered arms might have provided additional thrust and stability when climbing up uneven terrain.

Senses and Intelligence

Velociraptor appears to have had keen senses. Its large, forward-facing eyes likely gave it good vision, and some studies suggest it may have been nocturnal, though this is debated. Reconstructions of the inner ear and brain cavity of Velociraptor suggest they could hear a wide range of sound frequencies, and had an exceptional sense of balance. These adaptations would have made Velociraptor an agile and effective hunter, likely relying on its sense of hearing to track prey.

It is obviously very difficult to estimate the intelligence of extinct animals, and intelligence in animals generally is often underappreciated, but there is no evidence to suggest that Velociraptor had the very high levels of intelligence depicted in movies. One measure that is sometimes used to estimate intelligence in animals is the size of the brain proportional to the size of the animal. By this measure, Velociraptors were one of the more intelligent dinosaurs, probably posessing a level of intelligence close to modern birds, but not necessarily capable of advanced problem-solving or complex social behavior.

Speed

Since its name means "speedy thief," it's natural to wonder how fast Velociraptor could run. Speed estimates from fossils are challenging, but Velociraptor had relatively long and strong legs for its size. It is thought to have reached speeds of up to 40 km/h in short bursts - more than enough to catch its prey.