Fun Linheraptor Facts For Kids

The Linheraptor is a bird-like theropod flying dinosaur, a member of the family Theropoda, kingdom Animalia, class Reptilia, family Dromaeosaurid, genus Linheraptor and has the scientific name as Linheraptor exquisitus. It is estimated to have lived during the late Cretaceous period and is believed to have gone extinct at the end of this period, about 65 million years ago. The reason for its extinction is the natural disasters and structural changes on the earth's surface. It was named by Xu Xing in 2010. Linheraptor name means 'Linhe thief'. The complete fossilated skeleton was discovered by  Jonah N. Choiniere and Michael Pittman in 2008 from the red sandstone rocks belonging to the Wulansuhai Formation in Inner Mongolia China during a field expedition.

The structure is related to the Velociraptor of the same family. The skull, as well as other fossils, is well preserved due to the discovery of its complete skeleton which consisted of an elongated skull, a curved neck, an extended toe claw or foot, and a long tail. The toe claw is used to catch prey while the movement and is bipedal. It has a long length and height along with a heavy weight similar to the Velociraptor dinosaur of the Therapoda family.

It feeds on the meat of small horned dinosaurs and is aggressive in nature. The dinosaur prefers to stay in packs but is isolated at times. This species of Theropoda family is the fifth to be found from the sandstone rocks but requires further research to know more about this dinosaur. For more facts, check out the Abrictosaurus and Volgatitan.

How do you pronounce 'Linheraptor'?

The term 'Linheraptor' is pronounced as 'lin-heh-rap-tor'.

What type of dinosaur was a Linheraptor?

Linheraptor was a bird-like Theropod flying dinosaur, member of the Theropoda family.

In which geological period did the Linheraptor roam the earth?

This species of the Theropoda family roamed the earth during the geological period of the Late Cretaceous.

When did the Linheraptor become extinct?

They became extinct at the end of the Late Cretaceous period, about 65 million years ago.

Where did a Linheraptor live?

The species of the Late Cretaceous period usually preferred to live in desert areas with sparse and dry vegetation of Inner Mongolia China and Asia.

What was a Linheraptor's habitat?

Linheraptor exquisitus of the Theropoda family habitats include Inner Mongolia and China where there is sparse and dry vegetation with plants like cactus, succulents, wildflowers, and thorny bushes. It is estimated that the species inhabited those places during the Cretaceous period.

Who did a Linheraptor live with?

This species mostly prefers to live in packs or groups as the fossils were found in groups. They lived and died in close proximity but sometimes they were isolated as well.

How long did a Linheraptor live?

This species lived for about 70-80 years during the Cretaceous period. It was discovered by  Jonah N. Choiniere and Michael Pittman in Inner Mongolia in 2008.

How did they reproduce?

The species reproduces by laying eggs. Being of the dromaeosaurid family, they are recognized as oviparous, which means they reproduce by laying eggs.

What did a Linheraptor look like?

They are closely related to the Velociraptor of the dromaeosaurid family. A well-preserved complete skeleton which consisted of an elongated skull, a curved neck, an extended toe claw or foot, and a long tail has been discovered. The toe claw of this dinosaur was strong and was used to catch prey, while the movement or locomotion was done with the help of the two rear limbs and is hence known to be bipedal.

How many bones did a Linheraptor have?

This species of dinosaur has approximately 200 bones which was discovered from the fossil of a Linheraptor skeleton.

How did they communicate?

They used visual cues as well as vocal noises for communication. The vocal noises included clapping their jaws, whizzing their tails sideways, stroking their scales against each other, splashing of water, hissing, and more. The aggressive visual and verbal noises were sometimes used in protecting their territory from their enemies.

How big was a Linheraptor?

The Linheraptor size includes a weight of about 55.1 lb (25 kg), and a length of 70.8 in (1.8m). They resemble the Velociraptor of the Dromaeosaurid family.

How fast could a Linheraptor move?

The exact speed of the Linheraptor is unknown, but they are considered to be extremely agile and fast.

How much did a Linheraptor weigh?

It has a weight of about 55.1 lb (25 kg). It is closely related to the Velociraptor of the late Cretaceous period.

What were the male and female names of the species?

A single complete skeleton of this species has been found, hence there is no evidence to support a distinction of the male and female species.

What would you call a baby Linheraptor?

There is no name officially given to a baby Linheraptor.

What did they eat?

The bird-like species is carnivorous in nature which means it feeds on the meat or flesh of other animals, such as small horned dinosaurs, lizards and, early mammals.

How aggressive were they?

This species is very aggressive in nature especially when they face danger or in the protection of their territory against enemies.

Did you know...

The Linheraptor was a swift and dexterous predator usually feeding on small ceratopsians, like Protoceratops and Leptoceratops, and small horned herbivores of the Cretaceous period.

How was the Linheraptor discovered?

The complete fossilated skeleton was discovered by Jonah N. Choiniere and Michael Pittman in 2008 from the red sandstone rocks belonging to the Wulansuhai Formation from Inner Mongolia, China. It was later named by Xu Xing in 2010. It was discovered during a field excursion by the researchers. It is a well-preserved complete skeleton and is the fifth dromaeosaurid member found from these rocks.

Who named the Linheraptor?

The Linheraptor of the dromaeosaurid family was named by Xu Xing in 2010 meaning 'Linhe thief', after a Greek name meaning 'running lizards', and also due to its bird-like structural features. The complete fossilated skeleton was discovered by  Jonah N. Choiniere and Michael Pittman in 2008 from the red sandstone rocks belonging to the Wulansuhai Formation from Inner Mongolia China.

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 Paronychodon fun facts or Szechuanosaurus facts for kids pages.

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

Second image by Smokeybjb.