Name:
Buitreraptor (combination Spanish/Greek for "vulture thief"); pronounced BWEE-tree-rap-tore
Habitat:
Plains of South America
Historical Period:
Late Cretaceous (90 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 4 feet long; weight unknown
Diet:
Small animals
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Long, narrow snout; smooth teeth; probably feathers
About Buitreraptor:
Only the third raptor (technically, dromaeosaur) to be discovered in South America, Buiteraptor was on the small side, and the lack of serrations on its teeth indicate that it fed on much smaller animals, rather than ripping into the flesh of its fellow dinosaurs. As with other raptors, paleontologists envision Buitreraptor as covered with feathers, connoting its close evolutionary relationship to modern birds.
By the way, this dinosaur's odd name stems from the fact that it was unearthed (in 2005) in the La Buitrera area of Patagonia--and since Buitrera is Spanish for "vulture," the moniker seemed appropriate.
