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HELL CREEK DROMAEOSAUR " RAPTOR " TOE BONE IN ORIGINAL MATRIX Hell Creek Formation - Montana, U.S.A. LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 96 - 66 million years ago Meat-eating dinosaur fossils from the famous Hell Creek Formation are amongst the most sought-after fossils by collectors. For its astonishing array of dangerous predator fossils, no place has captured more attention or has been featured on television more than Hell Creek! This fine specimen is not very large but it is definitely unique! This is a genuine natural matrix specimen from this formation that displays a dromaeosaurid dinosaur toe phalange bone along with some fossil coprolites. The bone is complete and in perfect condition without any repair or restoration. The entire specimen is 'as found' and has only been stabilized to harden the natural sandy substrate. This bone would have come from a small raptor dinosaur similar to the little swarm of deadly dromaeosaurs that eviscerated that little girl on the island beach in the opening scene of Jurassic Park 2. For an unusual twist to your predatory dinosaur fossil collection, this is quite a unique specimen and comes with our high recommendation.
Raptors were ferocious predators that some scientists believe hunted in packs and attacked much larger dinosaurs by slashing their underbellies. It is also believed that they were similar to lions in predatory behavior, preferring ambushes and quick chases using their high maneuverability along with strategic pack-hunting tactics. A human could be torn to shreds by a pack of raptors in less than 30 seconds. MEAT-EATING DINOSAUR FOSSILS FROM THE FAMOUS HELL CREEK FORMATION ARE AMONGST THE MOST PRIZED FOSSILS - A HIGHLY UNIQUE MATRIX SPECIMEN! 1.5" across with original matrix, bone is .5" long SOLD DT6-019 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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Velociraptor courtesy of MINEO SHIRAISHI and used with permission. This image is protected by copyright. |
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The
dromaeosaurs are popularly known (especially in the movie "Jurassic
Park") as "raptors", a group of fascinating extinct
creatures. Raptors ranged in size from the size of a small dog
on
up to 30 feet long! They are therapods that possessed specialized
features: a well-developed slashing talon on their second toe, a stiffened
tail, and large grasping hands.
The
"killing claw" of raptors was a terrifying and incredibly
efficient weapon. As they moved, it was held off the ground.
When the muscles of the toe were contracted, the claw swept down
quickly, providing for a powerful slash that may have been able to
disembowel prey swiftly. The stiffened tail would have been good
to stabilize the body while the grasping arms and jaws held onto the
prey for balance. Although there is no conclusive evidence for
this, it has been suggested that raptors could have performed leaps onto
large prey and used all four limbs to rip wounds in them. 
