Velociraptor (Swift Hunter) is a small Asian dinosaur. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
Velociraptor is a carnivorous species of dinosaur from the Cretaceous Period, belonging to the order of Theropods. It was a member of the Dromaeosaurid family, a group of bird-like dinosaurs identifiable by the large sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each foot. Velociraptor was comparatively small, with a total length of 2.7m (8ft 10in) and weighing 15kg (35lb). It was identifiable by its slender, low-set skull with an upturned snout, full of serrated teeth. Like all members of its family, Velociraptor was covered in feathers, especially on its arms.
Velociraptor lived during the Late Cretaceous in what is now Mongolia. As a carnivore, it would have hunted lizards, mammals and smaller dinosaurs. Its large toe-claws would have been used to pin down or stab prey, similar to modern eagles, as well as a possible aid in climbing. One well-known fossil known as The Fighting Dinosaurs shows a Velociraptor locked in combat with the sheep-sized, herbivorous dinosaur Protoceratops, suggesting it was capable of tackling prey larger than itself. Due to its active metabolism, it is likely that Velociraptor was warm-blooded. It has commonly been depicted living and hunting in groups similarly to how its relative Deinonychus may have done, but there is little conclusive evidence of this, and mobbing, similar to what Komodo Dragons do, may have been more likely.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Velociraptor is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and is available in the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. It must be researched in order to be adopted.
Velociraptor is a Coniferous Forest animal, and its favourite foliage is the Dawn Redwood Tree. Although aggressive, they are fairly easy to please. However, it will attack and kill unarmored dinosaurs if it escapes.
 Animal Facts
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| You've probably seen Velociraptors in the movies. If so, you might have seen them do things like open doors, communicate to each other in complex bird-like calls, and outsmart some unlucky humans. You might even be thinking twice about including Velociraptors in your dinosaur zoo. After all, you'd like to remain as the one in charge, right?
Fortunately, Velociraptors were quite smart, but only in comparison to other dinosaurs of the time. In modern terms, their intelligence has been compared to that of an ostrich or a chicken. That doesn't mean you'll be serving Raptor Nuggets at your food stands any time soon though. These dinosaurs run up to 40 miles per hour in short bursts, can make impressive leaps, have 80 teeth up to an inch long, and possess a four-inch retractable claw on each foot of their powerful hind legs. These armaments are powerful tools for ripping and tearing at the throats and abdomens of their prey. Velociraptors first lived during the late Cretaceous period around 80 million years ago. Today they thrive in forests of Dawn Redwoods. Rocks or underbrush in the vicinity of a watering hole make a perfect spot for Velociraptor to lie in ambush of prey. A typical Velociraptor was around 6 feet long from nose to tail, weighed anywhere from 20-35 pounds, and stood at about three feet high. The much bigger dinosaurs depicted in movies are actually closer to the dimensions of a cousin to Velociraptor named Deinonhychus. Velociraptors walk on their two hind legs, and use their smaller front legs for grasping. Although Velociraptors are not the giants of their environment, their tactics of hunting together in pairs or small packs allows them to bring down much larger prey than they could manage as individuals. Make sure you don't have too many Velociraptors in too small of an area, however, as there is evidence they may turn to cannibalism. Velociraptors' high birth rate as egg-layers means you'll have to keep on top of things. |
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Velociraptor is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and is available in the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption at the start, having a star rating of 1-half star.
Velociraptor is a desert animal, the only animal in Extinct Animals to be so. It requires the Tar Pit in its exhibit in order to be fully comfortable. If kept with enough individuals, they may form packs and hunt together.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The Velociraptor belongs to a group of dinosaurs that has been linked to Archaeopteryx—also known as ancient birds. In fact, these dinosaurs are often referred to as “raptors,” a term that is also used to describe modern birds of prey such as vultures and falcons. Much smaller than its immense cousin Deinonychus, wolf-size Velociraptor walked on its hind legs and used its long tail for balance. Although its hindquarters were much larger than its puny arms, the Velociraptor made up for its lack of size with nimble hands that it could use to grasp its struggling dinner. |
 Zoopedia Zoopedia Description
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| Velociraptor mongoliensis lived during the Cretaceous Period and became extinct about 70 million years ago. It belongs to a group of dinosaurs that has been linked to Archaeoptery falso known as ancient birds. In fact, these dinosaurs are often referred to as "raptors," a term that is also Used to describe modern birds of prey such as vultures and falcons. Much smaller than its immense cousin Deinonychus, wolf-size Velociraptor walked on its hind legs and used its long tail for balance. It was agile and quick. Although its hindquarters were much larger than its puny arms, the Velociraptor made up for its lack of size with nimble hands that it used to grasp its struggling dinner. Velociraptor is best known for the vicious, curved claw on each of its hind feet that it used to kill its prey.
Diet: carnivore, size: 1.8 m (6 ft long: weight: 45 kg (100 lb) Fun Facts
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Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
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Trivia[]
- In the description for Velociraptor in Dinosaur Digs, the first paragraph mentions raptors having the ability to open doors, which is a reference to both the novel and film, Jurassic Park. The description then mentions their ability to communicate to each other in complex, bird-like calls; a reference to Jurassic Park III, which debuted in theaters a year prior to the expansion's release date.
- In Zoo Tycoon 2, Velociraptor is the only desert animal which does not have Africa as its location.
- Both versions of Velociraptor are outdated.
- The Dinosaur Digs version has no feathers and is quite large, around the size of a human. In life, it would have been around turkey-sized.
- The Extinct Animals version, whilst smaller and sporting feathers, has scaly arms; in life, it would have sported wing-like feathers, though this was only discovered less than a month before the expansion's release. In addition, its hands are pronated, with the palms pointing down, which was not physically possible for them to do. Instead, Theropods had supinated hands, where the palms faced each other.