Atrociraptor

Name Origin

Savage Robber

Family

Dromaeosauridae

Classification

Diapsida, Saurischia, Theropoda

Habitat (Discovery Location)

Canada

Period

Approx. 68.5 million years ago (Late Cretaceous)

Length

Approximately 68.5 million years ago (Late Cretaceous)

Weight

Approximately 2 meters

Diet

Approximately 15 kg

Description

Atrociraptor was a dromaeosaurid theropod that lived in North America (present-day Canada) during the Late Cretaceous period.
Its scientific name translates to “savage robber,” and it is believed to have been a hunter that used its sharp teeth to tear into prey.

Limited Fossils and “Savage” Dental Features

Currently, the only known specimen of Atrociraptor is the holotype, “RTMP 95.166.1”.
This consists solely of the tips of the upper and lower jaws; a complete skeleton has not yet been found.
Consequently, much about its detailed appearance and ecology remains shrouded in mystery.

Flesh-Tearing Serrations

Based on the limited information available from fossil fragments, it is known to resemble the closely related genus Saurornitholestes.
However, a crucial difference is that the serrations on Atrociraptor’s teeth were significantly larger and more developed.

It is believed that these saw-like, serrated teeth made it highly adept at slicing through the flesh of its prey.
This trait is directly linked to the origin of its name, “savage robber.”

Estimated Size and Weight

Although a complete skeleton has not been discovered, estimates by Gregory Paul in 2010 suggest a total length of about 2 meters and a weight of approximately 15 kg. This suggests it was a predator with a robust, stocky build despite its small size.

Classification History: Relationship with Velociraptor

Initially, this species was classified within the “Velociraptorinae” subfamily, which includes the famous Velociraptor.

However, subsequent research led to a re-evaluation of its classification. A 2009 phylogenetic analysis placed it in the “Saurornitholestinae” subfamily.
This result was supported by a 2020 analysis, and it is currently considered to be a species closely related to Saurornitholestes.

Time Period and Environment: Did It Never Meet Tyrannosaurus?

Its fossils were discovered in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation in Canada.
In terms of geological time, it lived during the “Maastrichtian” stage, which corresponds to the very end of the Mesozoic Era.

Rivals and Formidable Foes

While the Tyrannosaurus is famous for the Late Cretaceous period, Atrociraptor flourished in a slightly earlier era.
Therefore, it appears that the two species never actually crossed paths.

Contemporaneous carnivorous dinosaurs that lived alongside Atrociraptor included Albertosaurus, which belongs to the ancestral line of the Tyrannosaurus. It is believed that they engaged in a struggle for survival within the same environment.

Jurassic
Park / World Featured Dinosaur

Role in the Film (Spoiler Alert!)

Appearance in Jurassic World: Dominion
Making its series debut in Jurassic World Dominion, the Atrociraptor arrived with a reputation preceding it. Even when details about the film were scarce, its appearance had been announced, and scenes of it relentlessly chasing Owen in the trailer led fans to predict it would serve as the "villain" of this installment. True to those expectations, it delivered a truly vicious performance.

They are depicted as ferocious carnivorous dinosaurs—bulkier than the familiar Velociraptor—possessing a far more violent and brutal nature.

Much like Blue and the "Raptor Squad" from Jurassic World, four individuals appear, each with distinct body colors and specific names:

・Ghost (White)
・Tiger (Tiger-striped)
・Panthera
・Red (Reddish-brown)

According to information from the official promotional website "Dinotracker," these are "designer dinosaurs" created for a specific purpose, seemingly subjected to extensive genetic modification and training by Biosyn Genetics.

Physical Abilities
To specialize them for combat, their movement speed has been enhanced through genetic engineering.

Tracking Capabilities
In addition to tracking prey using a heightened sense of smell, they have been trained—much like the Indoraptor in the previous film, Fallen Kingdom—to relentlessly pursue a target marked by a laser pointer until the kill is confirmed.

In the film, they were delivered to the smuggler Soyona Santos as payment for kidnapping Maisie and Beta. Unleashed upon Owen and his team via Santos's command (laser designation), they relentlessly pursued Owen as he fled on a motorcycle through the streets of Malta. Displaying lethal intent and a speed that disregarded all obstacles, they delivered one of the film's standout action sequences.