Scientists Unveil New and Improved Velociraptor Cousin
Category Video | Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Astute dino-observers know that Velociraptors actually weren’t as scary as Steven Spielberg and Jurassic Park would have you believe. In real life, the dinosaur was the size of a turkey and was probably covered with feathers; comedian Dan Telfer calls it “the Tonya Harding of the dinosaur kingdom.” What an image problem! Fortunately, dino scientists have unveiled a newer, tougher dinosaur cousin to burnish Velociraptor’s flagging brand. Introducing: Baulor bondoc!
The new Creataceous-era dinosaur lived in what is now Romania and is estimated to have been between six and seven feet long, with legs that were shorter and thicker than those of its diminutive relative. Large muscle attachment areas in its hips suggest the beast was stronger — but slower — than Velociraptor.
“Balaur bondoc,” which means “stocky dragon,” was discovered in Romania by geologist Matyas Vremir of the Transylvanian Museum Society. The find is reported in Tuesday’s edition ofProceedings of the National Academy of Science.
“Balaur might be one of the largest predators in this ecosystem,” explained co-author Zoltan Csiki of the University of Bucharest, who noted that higher sea level at the time made the region an island archipelago.