Description
- Raptor Tooth
- Species: Deltadromeus agilis
- Age: Cretaceous, 100 Million Years Old
- Source: South of Taouz, Morocco
- Size: 15mm
- Image shows exact item received.
The term Raptor is an informal term popularised by the Jurassic Park films for many dinosaurs in the family Dromaeosauridae. Dromaeosaurs were a family of theropod dinosaurs that lived during the cretaceous period. They were small to medium-sized carnivores which are now believed to be feathered and exhibit bird-like behaviour such as social living and hunting in groups. The name Dromaeosauridae is Greek in origin and translates as ‘running lizards’, dromeus meaning ‘runner’ and sauros meaning ‘lizard’.
Dromaeosaurid fossils have been found in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica, most commonly in the form of fossilised teeth and claws. This Raptor tooth is from Deltadromeus agilis, and was found South of the town of Taouz in Morocco in an area of sedimentary deposits known as the Kem Kem Beds. Many fossils have been found in this area, predominantly of fish as well as Pterosaurs and Theropod dinosaurs. Due to the habitat and abundance of fish fossils it is believed the Pterosaurs and Dinosaurs in this area were mostly piscivorous (fish-feeders) and hunted in the estuarine and coastal areas.
Deltadromeus agilis, the ‘agile delta runner’, measured approximately 8m in total length, and had unusually long and slender hind limbs. It’s unusual legs are the reason behind why it has been described as a fast agile runner, they could also be to make it easier to wade through rivers, estuaries and the sea in coastal areas; enabling it to traverse larger areas and even hunt for fish. Unfortunately although many teeth of this dinosaur have been found, no complete skull has been recovered which makes complete reconstruction impossible and theories on many aspects of it’s life; such as it’s diet, only speculation.
