Raptor

2020-08-22T01:50:37Z

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''This page is about the theropod dinosaur family. ''Raptor'' is also another name for modern birds of prey. For more, see [[Bird]].''

'''Raptor''' is the informal name for a '''dromaeosaurid''': any member of ''Dromaeosauridae'', a [[dinosaur]] family of theropod [[carnivore]]s which lived during the [[wikipedia:Cretacious Period|Cretacious Period]]. The term ''raptor'', popularized by the film ''Jurassic Park'', is derived from ''Velociraptor'', one of the most well-known genera of non-avian dinosaur.

Raptors were small to medium-sized dinosaurs, ranging from 2 to 20 feet in length. They walked on their hind legs. The large second toe was retracted off the ground, with the third and fourth toes bearing the weight of the animal. The claw of the second toe was curved and sickle-like. While the function of this claw is debated, it may have served as a weapon when hunting or as an adaptation for climbing. Different species might have used the claw for different specializations.

Fossilized remains of dromaeosaurids have been found in groups, leading to early speculation that raptors hunted in [[pack]]s like some modern animals such as [[wolf|wolves]]. However, this is not conclusive, and other evidence, combined with the fact that raptors' closest living relatives (modern [[birds]] and [[crocodile]]s) are typically solitary has led to the proposal of other possible explanations. For example, raptors may have engaged in only short-term cooperative behavior, or the sites may represent deaths from raptors fighting over the same meal.

Most, if not all raptors were covered in feathers, including large, fanned tail feathers and [[wing]] feathers on their forelimbs. Some raptors, such as ''Microraptor'', may have been able to use their feathers to fly or glide through the air. ''Rahonavis'' was a genus originally classed as ''Avialae'' (modern birds) but later reclassed as ''Dromaeuosauridae'', with the current taxonomy remaining controversial. It may have been capable of powered flight.

==In culture==
Since the success of ''Jurassic Park'', raptors became well-known in popular culture. Raptors have appeared in several other films and television programs, including several of ''[[The Land Before Time]]'' animated films and ''[[Beast Wars]]'', a spin-off of the ''[[Transformers]]''. There is a robotic toy based on raptor called Roboraptor. Aside from titles based on ''Jurassic Park'', raptors have been featured in other [[video games]], including the ''Dino Crisis'' series, the ''Turok'' series, and ''[[World of Warcraft]]''. Raptors in popular culture are typically portrayed as pack animals lacking feathers, or having only [[quill]]-like proto-feathers. This is because many famous depictions of raptors such as in ''Jurassic Park'' predated modern consensus on feathered dinosaurs, and this image remains today. However, as evidence and knowledge of raptors' feathers increases, so too do feathered representations, including in the furry fandom.

Raptor characters are most often [[zoomorphic]]. Raptors present a huge creative possibility: Because of the incomplete fossil record, there are competing theories on appearance and behavior, and likely undiscovered species. This allows even aiming to base their raptors on scientific knowledge wide freedom in design choices. The iconic bipedal anatomy of theropods even allows more fantasical representations to still be recognized as raptors. They can be depicted classic scaly looks, in full plumage, or even covered in [[fur]].

Mainstream culture often depicts raptors as monsters or dangerous antagonists, in furry fandom they are often likable colorful characters. Both mainstream and furry cultures use the raptor's image in parody and humor.

The most well-known raptor is ''[[w:Velociraptor|Velociraptor]]'', due in large part to its prominent role in Michael Crichton's novel ''[[Wikipedia:Jurassic Park|Jurassic Park]]'' and the subsequent motion picture series. However, the "raptors" portrayed in ''Jurassic Park'' were, aside from the name, based upon the very closely related ''[[w:Deinonychus|Deinonychus]]'' genus. The two species of current ''Velociraptor'' genus are smaller than [[human]]s.

==Raptor characters==
*'''Talon''', a giant raptor from ''[[Primal Rage]]'' fighting game (he is still much smaller than other giant monsters).
*'''Red''', titular female utahraptor from Bakker's novel.
*'''Dinobot''', a transformer from ''[[Beast Wars]]''.
*'''Utahraptor''' from ''[[Dinosaur Comics]]''.
*'''Riptor''', a ''Velociraptor''/human [[hybrid]] from ''Killer Instinct'' fighting game.
*Unnamed raptor from original ''Jurassic Park'' videogame.
*Unnamed raptor pack from Richard Delgado ''[[Age of Reptiles]]'' comics.

There is a [[were|were]]raptor player character possibility in old [[World of Darkness]] and [[Dungeons & Dragons]] 3rd edition, a Stone Age race of ''Velociraptors'' in [[Broncosaurus Rex]] RPG, and two species of raptor [[mutant]]s in [[TMNT RPG]]/[[After the Bomb]].

==See also==
* [[:Category:Dinosaur characters]]

==References==
<references/>
*Bakker, R.T. 1995. ''[[Raptor Red]].'' New York: Bantam Publishing. 272pp.
*Crichton, M. (1990). ''Jurassic Park''. New York: Ballantine Books: pp. 114-115.
*Norell, Mark A. and P. J. Makovicky (2004). “''Dromaeosauridae''”, D. B. Weishampel, P. Dodson and H. Osmolska: ''The Dinosauria''. Berkeley: University of California Press, 196–209.
*Paul, G.S. 1988. ''Predatory Dinosaurs of the World''. New York: Simon and Schuster. 464 pp.

==External links==
*[http://raptors4ever.deviantart.com/ Raptors4ever] and [http://raptorpack.deviantart.com/ RaptorPack] clubs at [[DeviantArt]]

[[ru:Рапторы]]
[[Category:Dinosaur species]]

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Raptor