Saurischian dinosaurs

Dromaeosaurs

This name means 'swift lizards', and members of this group were agile theropods with large brains, huge eyes and sickle-like claws on their toes. These dinosaurs were fierce predators that may have hunted in packs. Sized from 6-13ft and found in the Early to Late Cretaceous periods, dromaeosaurid species include Troödon, Velociraptor, Chirostenotes, Deinonychus and Dromaeosaurus. Their remains have been found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Dromaeosaurus or 'running lizard' was a fierce predator of the Late Cretaceous period. A fast-moving carnivore about 6ft long, it had razor-sharp teeth and 3 inch long claws on each foot. From the size of the skull casing, the brain may have been large. Remains were found near the Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada in 1914.

Troödon means 'wounding tooth', a name given because of the serrated sharp teeth owned by this Late Cretaceous deinonychosaur. Troödon was a lightweight two-legged bird-like carnivore whose remains have been found in Alberta, Canada and Alaska, Montana and Wyoming, USA. Thought to be one of the most intelligent and dangerous dinosaurs, Troödon resembled Dromaeosaurus, and was a fast runner: its feet were equipped with scythe-like claws.

Velociraptor or 'quick plunderer' was a dromaeosaur of the Late Cretaceous period. A fierce 6ft long two legged predator, Velociraptor was a swift runner and had long three-fingered hands and scythe-like retractable talons on each foot. Its long, low head gave it a different appearance to the other deinonychosaurs. The remains of Velociraptor have been found in China, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation. One famous specimen of Velociraptor found in Mongolia was attached to a fossil Protoceratops, the horns of Protoceratops had pierced the chest of the Velociraptor whilst the Velociraptor had killed the Protoceratops.

Deinonychus or 'terrible claw' was another member of this group. Deinonychus had lethal 'switchblade' claws on its feet, and was a vicious predator whose remains have been found in southern Montana, and possibly also South Korea. Dating from the Early Cretaceous period, this 10-11ft monster had a long tail with bony stiffeners to hold the tail rigid while the dinosaur was running.