Valdoraptor: Profile of the Wealden Plunderer Valdoraptor Valdoraptor (VAL-dore-AP-tor; “Wealden plunderer”) is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 140 to 136 million years ago, in what is now England. The name Valdoraptor comes from the Wealden Group, the geological formation where its fossils were discovered, and the Latin […]
Valdosaurus: Discovering the Agile ‘Wealden Lizard’ of the Early Cretaceous Valdosaurus Valdosaurus (VAL-doh-SAWR-us; “Wealden lizard”) is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 to 125 million years ago. Its fossils have been found primarily in what is now England, with possible remains discovered in other parts of Europe
Vallibonavenatrix: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Vallibonavenatrix Vallibonavenatrix (VAL-ih-boh-nuh-VEN-uh-triks; “Vallibona huntress”) is a genus of spinosaurid theropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the Early Cretaceous period, specifically the Barremian stage, approximately 129 to 125 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Arcillas de Morella Formation in Castellón, eastern Spain. This dinosaur was
Variraptor: Profile of a Late Cretaceous Raptor Variraptor Variraptor (VAH-rih-RAP-tor; “Var plunderer”) is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago, in what is now southern France. The name refers to the Var River and region in France where its fossils were discovered,
Vayuraptor Vayuraptor (VY-oo-RAP-tor; “Wind plunderer”) is a genus of basal coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 145 to 125 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Sao Khua Formation of northeastern Thailand. The name Vayuraptor comes from “Vayu,” the Hindu god of wind, and the Latin word “raptor,”
Vectaerovenator: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Vectaerovenator Vectaerovenator (VEK-tay-AIR-oh-ven-AH-tor; “Isle of Wight air-filled hunter”) is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 115 million years ago, in what is now England. The fossils of Vectaerovenator were discovered on the Isle of Wight. The name refers to “Vecta,” the Roman
Vectiraptor: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Vectiraptor Vectiraptor (VEK-tih-RAP-tor; “Isle of Wight plunderer”) is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago, in what is now England. Its fossils were discovered in the Wessex Formation on the Isle of Wight and the dinosaur was officially
Velafrons Velafrons (VEE-lah-fronz; “sailed forehead”) is a genus of lambeosaurine hadrosaurid (duck-billed) dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the late Campanian stage, about 73.5 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in Coahuila, Mexico. The name Velafrons refers to the large, sail-like crest on its head. The first and only known specimen
Velocipes Velocipes (veh-LOSS-ih-peez; “swift foot”) is a genus of archosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 220 to 208 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in what is now Poland. The name Velocipes, meaning “swift foot,” was given by paleontologist Friedrich von Huene in 1932, based on a single, incomplete lower leg
Velociraptor: Profile of a Swift Prehistoric Hunter Velociraptor Velociraptor (veh-LOSS-ih-RAP-tor; “swift seizer” or “swift plunderer”) is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 71 million years ago. Its fossils have been discovered primarily in Mongolia and China. The first scientifically recognized fossils of Velociraptor
