Dromaeosauridae

†Dromaeosauridae ('running lizard family') is the extinct family of paravian theropods colloquially known as 'raptors', including Velociraptor, Deinonychus, and Dakotaraptor. Characterized by a retractable sickle-shaped second toe claw and stiffened tails, these active carnivores ranged from the Jurassic to the end-Cretaceous extinction. They are the closest relatives of modern birds.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Dromaeosauridae was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.

Time Period

Cretaceous Late Mesozoic Era

Dromaeosauridae lived during the Cretaceous Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 100.5 to 66.0 million years ago.

The final age of dinosaurs, featuring iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor. Dinosaurs reached their peak diversity before the catastrophic asteroid impact at the Chicxulub crater ended the Mesozoic Era.