Velociraptor was not Really That Big

Thank you for the question we received yesterday via email.  We get a lot of questions sent to us via email, letters and through school correspondence.  Given the fact that we were asked about how big Velociraptor actually was, we thought it time to clarify the size of this dinosaur and to rectify the mistakes made in the “Jurassic Park” films. Dinosaur fans send in pictures of their Velociraptor dinosaur model and often ask the question, how big was Velociraptor?

Velociraptor

Velociraptor (V. mongoliensis) was a member of the Dromaeosauridae family.  Fast and nimble, this dinosaur was depicted in the Jurassic Park films as being around six feet tall.  In reality, an analysis of the fossil record suggests that most dromaeosaurs were much smaller than this, of course there are exceptions, but based on the fossil evidence V. mongoliensis was about 1.8 metres long (mostly tail), and stood about one metre tall.

Velociraptor was about as tall as a six-year-old child, this is how we explain the size of this dinosaur to primary school children, it gives them a very good base for a reference.

A Scale Drawing of Velociraptor (V. mongoliensis)

A vicious Velociraptor, a scale drawing of Velociraptor.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The weight of an adult Velociraptor has been estimated to be around 12-15 kilogrammes, about as heavy as a large turkey.  Note that in the drawing above, the Velociraptor is depicted as being covered in feathers.  Most scientists now think that Velociraptor was probably covered in fine, primitive feathers to help insulate these active little animals, although no Velociraptor fossils have yet been found with feather impressions preserved.

Velociraptor Dinosaur Model

There are a large number of Velociraptor dinosaur models on the market.  The Beasts of the Mesozoic range of articulated figures includes a large number of dromaeosaurid dinosaurs including several Velociraptor replicas.

A Beasts of the Mesozoic Velociraptor osmolskae Model

Beasts of the Mesozoic V. osmolskae.  One of two species of Velociraptor currently recognised.

To view the Beasts of the Mesozoic model range: Beasts of the Mesozoic Models and Replicas.