#palaeobr

More pride dinos!

Again, if I forgot one or you want a specific flah, feel free to ask for it!

WHOOPS GUESS WHO FORGOT TO POST YESTERDAY'S #Paleostream SKETCHES!!!

yesterday we drew Ectopistes migratorius (Passenger Pigeon), Eclectus infectus (Oceanic Eclectus), Kosmoceratops, and Otus frutuosoi (São Miguel scops owl)

Dromaeosaurs (‘running lizards’), popularly known as raptors, were a group of predatory theropod dinosaurs that bore distinctive, curved ‘sickle’ claws on the second toe of each foot. The exact function of the claw is unknown, and may have varied depending on the species. Theories include uses for slashing prey, climbing trees (or other animals) and restraining prey underfoot. These dinosaurs were definitely feathered; fossils with preserved soft tissues all show advanced types of feathers, and marks on the arm bones of Velociraptor and the larger Dakotaraptor preserve attachment points for wing feathers. The use of these feathers varied by species; small raptors like Microraptor could use them for gliding, while large species may have used them for display or rapid flapping to assist in pinning down prey, as modern secretary birds do today.

(image source)

Estimated to reach 7m (23ft) in length, Utahraptor is the largest known dromaeosaur. It is known from fragmentary remains discovered in Utah, USA (hence the name, meaning ‘thief from Utah’). Its life appearance has therefore been largely speculative, though as new material has come to light, Utahraptor has been revealed as a more robust and muscular animal than other dromaeosaurs (see here for an updated skeletal image). A recent remarkable discovery has been of a family of Utahraptor, in different stages of life, preserved in a single block; you can donate to fund the preparation of these amazing fossils here.

In ARK

While dromaeosaurs had been a minor component of prehistoric pop culture since their discovery, it was the villainous raptors of Jurassic Park that propelled the group to international infamy. Though the film did help to popularize new theories about dinosaurs, it’s also paradoxically preserved its stars in something of a time warp, with many depictions of dinosaurs based on the Jurassic Park versions. Evidence that dinosaurs, particularly raptors and tyrannosaurs, were feathered is often greeted online with detractors saying that they ‘don’t look cool anymore’. I beg to differ.

Continuing on! This one is an actual fanart of amber isle's Verne!

Bitey bite

Such a newly described dino! It was really fun to draw a chibi of it! (And such weird hands too)