Fukuiraptor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fukuiraptor |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Clade: | †Megaraptora |
| Genus: | †Fukuiraptor |
| Type species | |
| †Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis Azuma & Currie, 2000
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Fukuiraptor was a dinosaur that lived a very long time ago. Its name means "thief of Fukui" because its fossils were found in the Fukui Prefecture of Japan. This dinosaur was a medium-sized theropod, which means it was a meat-eating dinosaur that walked on two legs. It lived during the Lower Cretaceous period.
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What was Fukuiraptor?
Fukuiraptor was a type of dinosaur called a theropod. Theropods were a group of dinosaurs known for walking on two legs and usually eating meat. Think of famous theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex or Velociraptor. Fukuiraptor was not as big as T. rex, but it was still a powerful hunter.
When did Fukuiraptor live?
Fukuiraptor lived during the Lower Cretaceous period. This was about 127 to 115 million years ago. During this time, the Earth looked very different from today. Dinosaurs like Fukuiraptor roamed the land.
Where was Fukuiraptor found?
The very first fossils of Fukuiraptor were found in Japan. Specifically, they were discovered in the Kitadani Formation, which is part of the Fukui Prefecture. This discovery was very important because it helped scientists learn more about dinosaurs that lived in Asia.
How big was Fukuiraptor?
Fukuiraptor was a medium-sized dinosaur. Scientists believe it could grow up to about 4.2 meters (13.8 feet) long. That's roughly the length of a small car! It would have been a fast and agile predator.
What did Fukuiraptor eat?
As a theropod, Fukuiraptor was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It likely hunted other smaller or medium-sized dinosaurs. Its sharp claws and teeth would have helped it catch and eat its prey.
Images for kids
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Reconstructed skeleton and holotype fossils on the lower right
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Size comparison
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Stratigraphic positions of the non-avialan dinosaurs of the Kitadani Formation, Japan.
See also
In Spanish: Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis para niños
