velociraptors

Velociraptors were a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaurs that lived approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period. The name "Velociraptor" means "swift seizer" in Latin, a fitting description for a dinosaur known for its speed and predatory nature.

The most distinctive feature of Velociraptor was its large, sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each foot. This claw was retractable and likely used for pinning down prey or for defense. Fossil evidence suggests that Velociraptors were relatively small, measuring about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length and standing about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) tall at the hip, weighing around 15 kilograms (33 pounds). They possessed long tails, which aided in balance during rapid movements, and likely had feathers, as is common in many theropod dinosaurs.

Velociraptors are believed to have been agile hunters, possibly hunting in packs, although direct evidence for pack hunting is limited. Their diet consisted of smaller dinosaurs and other animals. The most famous fossils of Velociraptor were discovered in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. While popular culture often depicts Velociraptors as larger and scaly, scientific understanding has evolved to portray them as feathered, bird-like dinosaurs.