Fun Fukuiraptor Facts For Kids

The Fukuiraptor is a genus that follows the classification under the family Neovenatoridae and clade Theropoda. This dinosaur is estimated to have lived during the Early Cretaceous time period, either during the Barremian or Aptian stages. The discovery site of the fossilized Fukuiraptor skeleton was in the Kitadani quarry or the Sebayashi formation in the Fukui Prefecture of Japan.

The type species, Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis, was initially thought to be a Carnosaur like the Allosaurus, but recent studies suggest that it belonged to the family of Neovenatoridae. After further cladistic analysis, this species has been thought to either be a non-Tyrannosaurid basal Coelurosaur, or an Allosauroid.

In 2006, this genus as well as its only species was named and described by Currie and Azuma. Over time, different speculations about the height and weight of this species have been taken into consideration.

The F. kitadaniensis was carnivorous and their diet mainly consisted of other small dinosaurs. The specimen suggests that these dinosaurs reproduced by laying eggs and probably built nests on the ground. Based on remains of this raptor dinosaur, it is known that they were bipedal, with unusually long arms and claws; long tails; and sharp, blade-like teeth.

If you're interested in knowing more about dinosaurs, check out the Fukuivenator and the Fukuisaurus.

Fukuiraptor Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Fukuiraptor'?

The word Fukuiraptor is pronounced as 'foo-kwee-rap-tor'.

What type of dinosaur was a Fukuiraptor?

The Fukuiraptor classification is described under the clade called Theropoda, the family of Neovenatoridae, and the order of Saurischia.

In which geological period did the Fukuiraptor roam the Earth?

The type species of the Fukuiraptor dinosaur is said to have roamed the Earth during the Barremian or Aptian age of the Early Cretaceous time period.

When did the Fukuiraptor become extinct?

The Fukuiraptor went extinct during the Early Cretaceous period which was around 121-115 million years ago.

Where did a Fukuiraptor live?

The type specimen, Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis, was found in the Kitadani quarry near the city of Katsuyama in the Fukui Prefecture. In addition, a tooth was discovered in the Sebayashi formation of Japan and is said to have belonged to the Fukuiraptor.

What was a Fukuiraptor's habitat?

The Fukuiraptor's habitat is one that was forced upon it. It is thought to have lived in a habitat with a rocky coast like the albatross of islands of what is now Japan.

Who did a Fukuiraptor live with?

Due to a lack of evidence related to the discovered specimen of this dinosaur, its lifestyle pattern and behavior are unknown.

How long did a Fukuiraptor live?

There is not enough evidence related to the Fukuiraptor to be able to give even an approximation of its lifespan.

How did they reproduce?

Although not much is known about their reproductive system, they were certainly oviparous and eggs were fertilized inside the body of the female.

Fukuiraptor Fun Facts

What did a Fukuiraptor look like?

Although an exact description of this dinosaur from the Kitadani quarry is impossible due to lack of evidence, some assumptions can be derived from the Megaraptora clade.

This dinosaur is thought to have had a narrow, elongated skull that was lightly built and teeth that seemed to be related to those of the Tyrannosaurus and the Carcharodontosaurid. The reason the dinosaur from Japan is said to have these similar features is because of the blade-like compressed structure of its teeth.

Ribs near the torso of this dinosaur were strong, paddle-shaped structures with a fusion of the right side to the left via the chest's midline.

Dorsal ribs of these Late Cretaceous period species were curved and thick but hollow. It is theorized that this dinosaur had a strong, muscular tail.

In addition, the specimen found at the Kitadani quarry in the Fukui Prefecture displayed large, flat hand claws, which were initially mistaken for foot claws.

How many bones did a Fukuiraptor have?

It is quite difficult to assume the number of bones in the body of this dinosaur species because of the incomplete Fukuiraptor specimen.

The first discovery was not of a mature individual and other raptor specimens found in that quarry belonged to juvenile dinosaurs. At the discovery site in Japan, partial skeletons of several individuals were found including humeri, teeth, and femurs, but almost all belonged to juvenile raptor dinosaurs, which were described by Azuma and Currie.

Later, one tooth was discovered at the site of the Sebayashi formation and was said to have been related to this dinosaur species.

How did they communicate?

The communication pattern of this extinct raptor of Japan is unknown. However, it is possible that they could have interacted via visual as well as vocal cues.

How big was a Fukuiraptor?

The Fukuiraptor size was considered medium, and was around 14.1-16 ft (4.3-5 m) in length, almost the same as the great white shark. It is also estimated that they grew up to reach a height of 4.9 ft (1.5 m) which is similar to that of the sarus crane.

How fast could a Fukuiraptor move?

Not much is known about the speed at which this dinosaur could walk or run.

How much did a Fukuiraptor weigh?

The type species of this dinosaur from the Fukui Prefecture of Japan is estimated to have weighed around 660 lb (300 kg) which is about twice that of the ostrich.

What were the male and female names of the species?

The male and female of this genus do not have separate names. Both sexes of this dinosaur share a common name, Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis, which was given by Azuma and Currie.

What would you call a baby Fukuiraptor?

The young of this dinosaur genus can be called a juvenile.

What did they eat?

The diet of this dinosaur is said to have been carnivorous and consisted of other small dinosaur species.

How aggressive were they?

Considering their diet was carnivorous, this dinosaur genus may have been quite aggressive especially when hunting or fighting in territorial disputes.

Did you know...

Only two different specimens of this dinosaur have been found by paleontologists.

Who named the 'Fukuiraptor'?

Azuma and Currie named the Fukuiraptor based on the juvenile specimen found at the site of discovery. The name basically means 'Fukui thief' because it was found in the Fukui.

Fukuiraptor vs. Sinraptor

Both these genera have several differences, starting with the fact that they belong to two completely different families, with the Sinraptor classified under Metriacanthosauridae.

In addition, the Fukuiraptor was found in the Fukui Prefecture from the Early Cretaceous period, whereas the Sinraptor was much older and belonged to the Late Jurassic period and was found in the Shishugou formation of China.

The Sinraptor was also much bigger than the Early Cretaceous period Fukuiraptor.

Did the Fukuiraptor have sharp teeth?

Yes, teeth of this dinosaur specimen had a blade-like, compressed structure, along with slanted blood grooves next to serrations. That is why their diet consisted of smaller dinosaurs.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Parvicursor facts and Isaberrysaura facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Fukuiraptor coloring pages.

Image one by Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com).

Image two by Nobu Tamura email:nobu.tamura@yahoo.com http://spinops.blogspot.com/.