Velociraptor



Velociraptor was a mid-sized dromeosaurid, with adults measuring up to 6.8 ft long, 1.6 ft high at the hip, and weighing up to 33 lb. The skull, which grew up to 9.8 in long, was uniquely up-curved, concave on the upper surface and convex on the lower. The jaws were lined with 26–28 widely spaced teeth on each side, each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front—possibly an adaptation that improved its ability to catch and hold fast-moving prey.

Velociraptor, like other dromaeosaurids, had a large hand with three strongly curved claws, which were similar in construction and flexibility to the wing bones of modern birds. The second digit was the longest of the three digits present, while the first was shortest. The structure of the wrist bones prevented twisting of the wrist and forced the 'hands' to be held with the palm surface facing inwards ,not downwards.