Dromaeosaur dinosaurs were extremely fast and most likely a very smart and ferocious predator. The sickle-shaped claws on each foot as well as the hand claws were very thin and dramatically curved. Dromaeosaur 'raptor" bones were hollow, creating a very strong but lightweight frame for speed in running. To many other creatures living in the midst of "raptor" dinosaurs, these were swift and deadly meat-eaters to avoid!Dromaeosaurs are popularly known (especially in the movie "Jurassic Park") as "raptors", a group of fascinating extinct creatures. Raptors ranged in size from the size of a small dog on up to 30 feet long! They are therapods that possessed specialized features: a well-developed slashing talon on their second toe, a stiffened tail, and large grasping hands.The "killing claw" of raptors was a terrifying and incredibly efficient weapon. As they moved, it was held off the ground. When the muscles of the toe were contracted, the claw swept down quickly, providing for a powerful slash that may have been able to disembowel prey swiftly. The stiffened tail would have been good to stabilize the body while the grasping arms and jaws held onto the prey for balance. It has been suggested that raptors could have performed leaps onto large prey and used all four limbs to rip wounds in them. Raptors were ferocious predators that some scientists believe hunted in packs and attacked much larger dinosaurs by slashing their underbellies. It is also believed that they were similar to lions in predatory behavior, preferring ambushes and quick chases using their high maneuverability along with strategic pack-hunting tactics. A human could be torn to shreds by a pack of raptors in less than 30 seconds. Dromaeosaur remains have been found in North America, Europe, North Africa, Japan, Mongolia and Argentina.
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Dinosaur & Reptile 
