Dakotaraptor Dinosaur is a genus of large dromaeosaurids, measuring approximately 4.7 metres (15.4 feet) in length. It is believed to have lived during the late Cretaceous Period between 69 and 66 million years ago in what is now western North America, mostly in the Dakotas. It is classified as a member of the large and diverse family of theropods, which includes birds.
The first fossils of Dakotaraptor were discovered in 2005 when a team of paleontologists, led by Robert Bakker, discovered large arm and leg bones eroding out of a nearby hillside in South Dakota's Hell Creek Formation. The Dakotaraptor is a large predatory dinosaur, similar in size to other large raptors from the Cretaceous. It had the typical anatomy of a large dromaeosaurid, including a long, curved neck, long hindlegs, and a deep, expansive skull. It was likely feathered, though no feathers have ever been found with the fossils. The size and shape of its femurs suggests it was highly mobile and agile, and likely a strong runner, able to move quickly between the trees and the ground.
Dakotaraptor Facts :
| Name: | Dakotaraptor Dinosaurs |
| Size: | 4.7 metres (15.4 feet) |
| Main Facts: | The Dakotaraptor is a large predatory dinosaur, similar in size to other large raptors from the Cretaceous. |
Dakotaraptor is among the most ancient dromaeosaurids known from North America, being similar in age to Utah raptor. Although it seems to have a wide geographical range that encompasses both North and South Dakota, very few specimens have been recovered so its exact range and behavior are still unknown. However, it is assumed to have been an ambush predator, relying on its speed and agility to quickly catch prey and then retreat quickly back to its hiding place..
Despite its relatively large size and wide range, Dakotaraptor is still an incompletely known animal, as only a few fossils have been discovered so far. Its hip bones are relatively large and robust, indicating that it was a rather large predator. Its teeth are curved and serrated, suggesting that it would have been well adapted for tearing flesh. As with other raptors, Dakotaraptor was almost certainly was a carnivore, with a diet of small to medium-sized animals such as lizards, fish and mammals. It would have hunted in open woodlands and grasslands, relying on its speed and mobility to catch prey.
