Pyroraptor
PY-ro-RAP-tor
The predatory theropod Pyroraptor is a member of the Dromaeosauridae family that lived in Europe during the Late Cretaceous period. Measuring around 2.4m in length, Pyroraptor relies on its impressive speed rather than power when stalking its prey and prefers to hunt in packs like its more famous cousin, Velociraptor. Its sharp claws help Pyroraptor to catch its prey but are also used for climbing.
Discovery
Pyroraptor’s name translates to ‘fire thief’ and is derived from its discovery site – the first known Pyroraptor remains were unearthed following a forest fire in Provence, southern France in 1992. This specimen consisted of a series of toe claws, a forearm bone and two teeth, while subsequent remains found in Spain were also attributed to Pyroraptor.
Palaeoecology
This genus has been found across western and central Europe and dates back around 70 million years, when the area had a tropical climate and plenty of water sources. Pyroraptor shared its habitat with many other genera of dinosaur, including Ampelosaurus and Struthiosaurus.
Information
- Era
- Late Cretaceous
- Family
- Dromaeosauridae
- Genus
- Pyroraptor
- Height
- 1.7M
- Length
- 2.4M
- Weight
- 180Kg
- Diet
- Carnivore, Live Prey
- Egg batch size
- 2 - 4
