Understanding Velociraptor
The Velociraptor is a fascinating dinosaur species known for its role in popular culture, which often differs from the real, scientifically-researched creature.
This section delves into the actual history, physical traits, and lifestyle of this iconic dinosaur, debunking myths and presenting a clear picture based on scientific evidence.
Historical Discovery
The first Velociraptor fossil was described in 1924 by Henry Fairfield Osborn, the president of the American Museum of Natural History, who named the species V. mongoliensis.
Osborn coined the name from the Latin words ‘velox’ meaning swift and ‘raptor’ meaning thief, indicating the dinosaur’s quick and predatory nature.
Years later, the discovery of the “Fighting Dinosaurs” specimen provided insight into its behavior.
This fossil captured a Velociraptor locked in combat with a Protoceratops, indicating its possible hunting strategy.
Further significant finds in Mongolia by a Polish-Mongolian team in the Gobi Desert and later by Chinese and Soviet scientists added to the knowledge of Velociraptors, including the separate species V. osmolskae, named for Polish paleontologist Halszka Osmólska.
Physical Characteristics
Velociraptor was a relatively small dinosaur, identified as a part of the ‘raptor’ family generally characterized by their sleek, predatory build.
It measured between 1.5 to 2.07 meters long and weighed roughly 14.1-19.7 kilograms.
Notably, the presence of quill knobs on the forearms of some specimens suggests that Velociraptor bore feathers, challenging common perceptions of scaly dinosaur skin.
By examining fossil remains, scientists have deduced that these feathers might not have been used for flight but perhaps for display, warmth, or aiding in balance during high-speed pursuits.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Velociraptor dwelled in what is now China and Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous epoch, a period from approximately 75 million to 71 million years ago.
The Bayan Mandahu Formation and other desert locations where fossils were found suggest that Velociraptor was well-adapted to arid climates.
Analyses of fossil remains indicate it was a carnivorous creature, likely preying on smaller dinosaurs and reptiles, as evident from the “Fighting Dinosaurs” fossil.
Its agility and possibly pack-hunting behaviors, inferred from grouped fossil finds, would have made it a formidable predator in its ecosystem.
Pop Culture and Velociraptor 2
Velociraptors have long been etched in the pop culture psyche, particularly through their depiction in Hollywood films, with a notable resurgence thanks to the “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World” franchises.
Simultaneously, the unlikely combination of dinosaurs and pulp genre tropes gave rise to the cult film series “The VelociPastor”.
Velociraptor in Movies
In movies, the velociraptor plays a central role, often as an antagonist due to its fearsome reputation.
This is despite the fact that the real velociraptors were considerably smaller than their movie counterparts and covered in feathers, according to the scientific journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
Most notably, the “Jurassic Park” series introduced the velociraptor to audiences worldwide, presenting it as a cunning and social creature, capable of complex hunting strategies.
This portrayal cemented the raptor as a symbol of both terror and fascination, making it a mainstay in subsequent films, including the “Jurassic World” series.
The VelociPastor Series
“The VelociPastor” series occupies a niche in the pop culture landscape, combining a raptor with religious motifs.
The original film, directed by Brendan Steere and featuring Gregory James Cohan and Alyssa Kempinski, follows a priest named Doug who, after witnessing the murder of his parents, gains the ability to transform into a dinosaur.
As Doug, and his companion Carol, navigate his new powers, they encounter an array of villains against the vibrant backdrop of an Italian fertility festival.
The microbudget venture garnered a cult following and paved the way for The VelociPastor 2, enhancing its status in the horror-comedy genre.
With a clear nod to B-movie tropes and a devout fan base, this up-and-coming sequel promises to further explore the adventures of the shape-shifting cleric.
By contrasting the real-life science of the velociraptor from the Late Cretaceous with the heightened reality of film representations, the influence of raptors on pop culture becomes evident.
While the size and habits of velociraptors were indeed imposing, Hollywood and Wild Eye Releasing have taken creative liberties, transforming this member of the Dromaeosauridae family into an icon of modern cinema and offbeat storytelling.