Velociraptor was a small but fierce theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75 million years ago. Measuring roughly 6.5 feet (2 meters) long and weighing around 30 pounds (15 kilograms), it was built for speed, agility, and hunting skill. Unlike its Hollywood depiction, Velociraptor was feathered and more bird-like, equipped with a sharp, curved claw on each foot used to slash prey.
Fossils discovered in Mongolia reveal it may have hunted in packs and engaged in intense battles with prey like Protoceratops. Its intelligence, quick reflexes, and deadly claws made Velociraptor one of the most efficient and iconic predators of its time.