Variraptor Characteristics

Variraptor measured 6 feet (1.8 metres) in length and weighed around 50 kilograms (100 pounds). It was a bipedal dinosaur and walked on 2 strong hind legs with 3 clawed toes on each foot. Its fore arms were very short but powerful and were also equipped with claws. It had an elongated head and a muscular neck. Variraptor had powerful jaws equipped with many sharp, conical, serrated teeth. Its tail was long, pointed and stiffened and was used as a counter-balance and to help this small, agile dinosaur to change direction quickly when running.

Variraptor was a carnivore and was probably a scavenger. It was a swift hunter that seems to be related to Deinonychus of North America. Variraptor may have hunted in packs.

Variraptor was one of the smartest dinosaurs, other smartest dinosaurs include Velociraptor, Deinonychus, Hulsanpes, Dromaeosaurus, Utahraptor and others.

Fossil remains include some dorsal vertebrae, skull fragments, a humerus (arm bone), a femur (thigh bone), a sickle-like toe claw and some teeth.

Variraptor was discovered in 1998 by two amateur paleontologists, Patrick and Annie Mechin, near Fox-Amphoux, in the Var (hence the name of this raptor).