Name:
Pyroraptor (Greek for "fire thief"); pronounced PIE-roe-rap-tore
Habitat:
Plains of western Europe
Historical Period:
Late Cretaceous (70 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 8 feet long and 100-150 pounds
Diet:
Meat
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Large, sickle-shaped claws on feet; probably feathers
About Pyroraptor:
As you may have guessed from the last part of its name, Pyroraptor belongs to the same family of theropods as Velociraptor and Microraptor: the raptors, which were distinguished by their speed, viciousness, single-clawed hind feet and (in most cases) feathers.
By the way, Pyroraptor ("fire thief") didn't earn its name because it actually stole fire, or breathed fire in addition to the usual array of raptor weapons: the less exciting explanation is that the only known skeleton of this dinosaur was discovered in 2000, in southern France, after a forest fire.
