Utahraptor

dinosaur · predator · Early Cretaceous · Utah

Giant raptor dinosaur. Utahraptor was a dromaeosaur, which means it belonged to a special group of clever hunting dinosaurs. It lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 139 to 135 million years ago, in what is now Utah.

Deadly curved claws. Like other raptors, Utahraptor had large curved claws on its feet that it likely used to catch and hold prey. These claws made it one of the most fearsome hunters of its time.

Found in Utah rocks. Paleontologist James Kirkland discovered and described Utahraptor in 1993 based on fossils found in the Cedar Mountain Formation of Utah. Since then, scientists have found many more specimens, including skulls and bones from younger individuals.

Likely intelligent hunter. Utahraptor belonged to a group of dinosaurs known for being smart and skilled hunters. Its size and hunting tools suggest it was one of the most capable predators of the Early Cretaceous.