Dakotaraptor fossils have been found in the Hell Creek formation in South Dakota—hence its name, meaning “Dakota Plunderer” or “Dakota Predator." It was a medium dromaeosaur, or raptor. It had long back legs, shorter front legs, an elongated neck and long tail to counterbalance the weight of its head.
At the end of their long legs was a 9.5-inch long, curved and sharp talon. This "toe claw" was retractable due to Dakotaraptor's flexible toe joint, and was held off the ground to ensure it wasn't dulled while walking. Modern studies suggest this claw was likely used to impale and hold onto squirming prey. Dakotaraptor's serrated teeth were also excellent for trapping prey.
Dakotaraptor's arm bones are the only arm bones from a large raptor with preserved quill knobs, attachment points to veined feathers the dinosaur would have had on its forearms. This discovery adds more evidence to the idea that raptors were almost entirely covered in feathers.
Dakotaraptor at the Akron Zoo
The Dakotaraptor can be found in Frontier Town.
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