Dakotaraptor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dakotaraptor |
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| Reconstructed skeleton | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Clade: | Eumaniraptora |
| Clade: | †Deinonychosauria |
| Genus: | †Dakotaraptor DePalma et al. 2015 |
| Type species | |
| †Dakotaraptor steini DePalma et al. 2015
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Dakotaraptor (meaning “thief from Dakota”) was a large, meat-eating dinosaur. It belonged to a group called dromaeosaurids, known for their sharp claws. This dinosaur lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. Scientists believe Dakotaraptor played an important role in the ancient ecosystem.
Discovery and Naming
In 2005, a paleontologist named Robert DePalma found some dinosaur bones. He discovered them in Harding County, South Dakota. Among these bones was a partial skeleton of a very large dromaeosaurid.
The name Dakotaraptor comes from two parts. "Dakota" refers to the US state of South Dakota, where the bones were found. The second part, "raptor," is a Latin word meaning "plunderer" or "thief."
What Dakotaraptor Looked Like
Dakotaraptor was unusually large for a dromaeosaurid. Adult animals were about 5.5 meters (18 feet) long. Some estimates suggest they weighed between 220 and 350 kilograms (485-772 pounds).
This dinosaur was covered in feathers, just like modern birds. It had wings, but it could not fly. Think of flightless birds today, like ostriches or emus. Its wingspan was about 120 centimeters (4 feet). Dakotaraptor might have used its wings to scare off enemies. It also could have used them to keep its balance while hunting prey.
Dakotaraptor had big, sharp claws on its front and back legs. These claws were perfect for grabbing and slicing. It also had very strong legs, which helped it run very fast. Scientists think Dakotaraptors likely hunted in groups, or packs.
They might have hunted large plant-eating dinosaurs. They may have even competed with younger Tyrannosaurus dinosaurs for food. Dakotaraptor lived alongside other famous dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Formation. These included Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Ornithomimus, and Edmontosaurus.
Images for kids
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Proposed furcula (A and G) compared with other theropod dinosaurs. Said furcula was later shown to be an element from a trionychid turtle.
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Life restoration by Emily Willoughby, 2015
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The foot claws of the Dakotaraptor holotype, showing the flexor tubercles for muscle attachment
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Comparison between Dakotaraptor and other giant dromaeosaurids
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Graph comparing tooth dimensions of Dakotaraptor with those of other theropods
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Dakotaraptor compared to contemporaneous fauna of the Hell Creek Formation (Dakotaraptor in caramel brown)
See also
In Spanish: Dakotaraptor steini para niños
