FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
A genus of medium-sized theropod dinosaur, the Orkoraptor (Orkoraptor burkei) belonged to the Late Cretaceous period that lasted from 100.5-66 million years ago. By looking at the anatomical features, authors like Novas, Ezcurra, and Lecuona stated that it was a maniraptoran coelurosaur. However, several studies placed the Orkoraptor burkei species in the Megaraptora clade.
The term 'orkoraptor; was derived from an Aoniken word 'Orr-korr' which was generally used to refer to the La Leona River. The local meaning of Orkoraptor is 'toothed river thief'. The species Orkoraptor burkei was named in honor of Coleman Burke, a paleontologist who played a significant role in the expedition that collected the original fossil.
The average weight and length of this Cretaceous species is thought to be around 1,102-3,087 lb (500-1,400 kg) and 20-27.5 ft (6-8.4 m). In 2001, a fossil was excavated that consisted of broken parts of the skull, a right postorbital, a right quadratojugal, eight isolated teeth, a right coronoid, two proximal caudal vertebrae, eight broken ribs, three incomplete chevrons, and a partial tibia. Initially, due to the upturned anterior process of the postorbital, as well as specialized teeth, the species was believed to be a coelurosaur.
These were carnivorous dinosaurs that used to prey on lizards, fishes, insects, and small mammals. The first fossil of the species was collected from the Pari Aike Formation in Argentina. The Pari Aike Formation is now considered to be either the middle section of the Mata Amarilla Formation or an alternative name for the Cerro Fortaleza Formation. It can be said that these large Cretaceous dinosaurs must have inhabited coastal areas, tundra regions, forests, and plains.
Let's read more fun facts about the Orkoraptor, and if you find this article interesting, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different animals like the Ichthyovenator and the Ostafrikasaurus.
The pronunciation of Orkoraptor is quite easy. If you divide the whole term into two parts, it is quite easy to pronounce. It is pronounced like 'orko-raptor'.
The Orkoraptor burkei is a large theropod dinosaur. The species belonged to the Dinosauria clade of the Megaraptoridae family. These theropods were carnivores and used to prey on fishes, lizards, insects, and small mammals. The Orkoraptor burkei is the only species of the Orkoraptor genus. By looking at the anatomical features, authors like Novas, Ezcurra, and Lecuona stated that it was a maniraptoran coelurosaur.
The specimens recovered are from the late Cretaceous period that generally lasted from about 100.5-66 million years ago. It is also known as the third and final Mesozoic era.
The exact time period of extinction is not known but it is believed that these theropods went extinct around 76-70 million years ago. The middle section of the Mata Amarilla Formation contained a layer that has been dated to around 96 million years ago. Before that period, the species was found in several parts of South America. The major cause of extinction is not known, but in general, factors such as climate change, asteroid impact, and several other natural disasters are thought to be responsible.
These dinosaurs were quite widespread in South America. One specimen was recovered from the Pari Aeki Formation in south Patagonia, Argentina. The name was derived from the native name of La Leona River of Argentina, Orr-korr, where the original fossil site is located.
The Pari Aike Formation is now considered either the middle section of the Mata Amarilla Formation or an alternative name for the Cerro Fortaleza Formation.
It is believed that this large theropod species inhabited coastal areas, tundra regions, forests, plains.
By looking at the trackways of these theropods, it can be said that these dinosaurs were solitary and used to hunt alone. However, male and female dinosaurs must have been found in a pair during the breeding season.
The lifespan of the Theropoda clade is not known.
The mating patterns were very much similar to modern-day reptiles or birds. The Theropoda clade must have used a sexual mode of reproduction to produce offspring. It is thought that these creatures may have used courtship displays to attract their potential partners. Male dinosaurs used to fight over females. The litter size of the species is not known. Also, it is not known whether the pair used to take care of their babies.
The Orkoraptor was one of the most dangerous and frightening dinosaurs of the Megaraptoridae family. A fossil of the dinosaur was excavated in 2001. It had fragmentary parts of the tail, skull, tail vertebrae, a right postorbital, a right quadratojugal, eight isolated teeth, a right coronoid, two caudal vertebrae, eight broken ribs, three incomplete chevrons, and a partial tibia. Authors like Novas, Ezcurra, and Lecuona suggested it to be a maniraptoran coelurosaur
The exact number of bones of this dinosaur is not known, but the majority of dinosaurs, including Allosauroids, had around 200 bones.
Like other species of the Dinosauria clade, these dinosaurs used similar methods to communicate. In general, they used to communicate vocally and visually, while some were territorial and even fought with intruders. Courtship displays were used during the breeding season.
The average weight and length of this species is thought to be around 1,102-3,087 lb (500-1,400 kg) and 20-27.5 ft (6-8.4 m). The species was bigger than the Coelurosaurs, while the Allosaurus was larger than the Orkoraptor burkei.
The exact speed of the species is not known, but species of the Megaraptora clade were quite agile.
A study of 2010 suggested that the weight of the dinosaur was about 1,102 lb (500 kg), while a study of 2016 gave a higher estimate of 3,087 lb (1,400 kg).
There are no specific names given to male and female dinosaurs. People generally call the dinosaur Orkoraptor burkei.
Like modern-day reptiles, babies of the megaraptorans are known as hatchlings.
These were carnivorous dinosaurs that roamed throughout South America. These creatures, like most species of the Megaraptora clade, used to prey on insects, fishes, lizards, and small mammals. Their sharp teeth helped to tear the flesh.
Very little is known about the social behavior of this dinosaur, but generally, these creatures tended to be non-violent. However, they must have shown their dominance while defending their territories.
Microraptors are the smallest species of the raptor group. Their weight was around 2.2 lb (1 kg).
Both the Orkoraptor and the Velociraptor belonged to the late Cretaceous period, but the former was discovered in Argentina, while the latter was found in Mongolia. The Velociraptor was quite small compared to the megaraptor Orkoraptor. The dinosaur weighed only around 176 lb (80 kg).
Orkoraptor dinosaurs used to dwell in coastal terrains and they also inhabited tundra regions, forests, plains.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Caviramus facts and Velociraptor facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Orkoraptor coloring pages.
Main image by Danny Cicchetti
Second image by Shrongo
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.