Velociraptor Dinosaur Coloring Page

Fun History

Velociraptor, meaning ‘swift thief,’ was a small carnivorous dinosaur that lived about 70 million years ago in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Fossil evidence shows that Velociraptor had feathers and may have used them for display or warmth, although it could not fly. It measured about six feet long but only stood as tall as a turkey and could run up to 24 miles per hour. These intelligent hunters likely cooperated in packs and cared for their young, behaviours that link them to modern birds. Velociraptor had a large sickle-shaped claw on each foot used to grasp prey and numerous serrated teeth for tearing flesh.

Velociraptor was much smaller than many people imagine, about the size of a turkey, but it was still a fast and sharp-toothed predator. Fossil discoveries from Mongolia helped show that it lived in Asia and hunted with a curved claw on each foot. Later evidence linked it closely to birds, making it important far beyond its movie fame.

Velociraptor was much smaller than many people first imagine, but it became famous for speed, agility, and the curved claw on each foot. Fossils and later discoveries also linked it closely with feathers, which changed how many scientists and artists pictured this predator. Rather than being a giant hunter, it was a lighter, more nimble theropod with a very different scale from movie versions. That contrast between pop-culture image and fossil evidence makes Velociraptor especially interesting. Its claw and quick build are still the details most people remember.