Raptor Fossil Bone Fragment | Hell Creek Formation | South Dakota

Raptor Fossil Bone Fragment
Dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur
Cretaceous (68 - 66 million years ago)
Private Ranch, Hell Creek Formation, South Dakota
Assorted sizes available 

Receive ONE, random hand selected piece, each one is hand selected for quality and each piece is unique. Comes in a 3.5" x 3.5" floating case. Picture is representative of what you may receive, however actual piece varies.

This fossil bone fragment was discovered on a private ranch in South Dakota, within the Hell Creek Formation. It originates from a raptor, a member of the Dromaeosauridae family—feathered theropod dinosaurs that thrived during the Cretaceous Period. These dinosaurs were generally small to medium-sized carnivores.

The name "Dromaeosauridae" translates to "running lizards." Informally, they are often referred to as "raptors," a term made famous by the movie Jurassic Park. Some species even have "raptor" in their names, emphasizing their bird-like traits and presumed behaviors.

Raptor bones are distinctive for their smooth, dense outer surface and hollow structure, making them both strong and lightweight, similar to modern birds. One of their most well-known features is the large, curved "sickle claw" on the second toe. This claw is believed to have been a slashing weapon, akin to the canine teeth of saber-toothed cats, possibly used in powerful kicks to subdue prey. Some paleontologists suggest it played a role in disemboweling large ceratopsian dinosaurs. However, this interpretation of the sickle claw's function applies to all dromaeosaurids.