Velociraptor - Meaning : swift thief 

Velociraptor (vel-OSS-ir-ap-tor) (meaning "swift thief") is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 83 to 70 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. There is only one universally recognized species, V. mongoliensis, although others have been attributed in the past.

Fossils of this species have been found in central Asia, from both Inner and Outer Mongolia.

Velociraptor was a fast-running, two-legged (bipedal) dinosaur. This meat-eater had about 80 very sharp, curved teeth in a long, flat snout; some of the teeth were over an inch (2.5 cm) long. This predator had an s-shaped neck, arms with three-fingered clawed hands, long thin legs, and four-toed clawed feet. Velociraptor's head was about 7 inches (18 cm) long. Velociraptor may have been able to run up to roughly 40 mph (60 km/hr) for short bursts.

Velociraptor was about 5 to 6 feet long (1.5-2 metres), and 3 feet tall (1 metre). It may have weighed about 15 to 33 pounds (7 to 15 kg). It had a stiff tail that worked as a counterbalance and let it make very quick turns.

Velociraptor lived in a hot, dry environment - a desert-like environment that had some streams.

Velociraptor, along with the other Dromaeosaurids, were the smartest dinosaurs, as calculated from their brain:body weight ratio. This made them very deadly predators. Velociraptor may have hunted in packs, perhaps attacking even very large animals.