Fun Orkoraptor Facts For Kids

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.

How do you pronounce Orkoraptor?

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'.

What type of dinosaur was an Orkoraptor?

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.

In which geological period did the Orkoraptor roam the earth?

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.

When did the Orkoraptor become extinct?

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.

Where did an Orkoraptor live?

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.

What was an Orkoraptor's habitat?

It is believed that this large theropod species inhabited coastal areas, tundra regions, forests, plains.

Who did an Orkoraptor live with?

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.

How long did an Orkoraptor live?

The lifespan of the Theropoda clade is not known.

How did they reproduce?

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.

What did an Orkoraptor look like?

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

How many bones did an orkoraptor have?

The exact number of bones of this dinosaur is not known, but the majority of dinosaurs, including Allosauroids, had around 200 bones.

How did they communicate?

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.

How big was an Orkoraptor?

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.

How fast could an Orkoraptor move?

The exact speed of the species is not known, but species of the Megaraptora clade were quite agile.

How much did an Orkoraptor weigh?

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).

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to male and female dinosaurs. People generally call the dinosaur Orkoraptor burkei.

What would you call a baby Orkoraptor?

Like modern-day reptiles, babies of the megaraptorans are known as hatchlings.

What did they eat?

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.

How aggressive were they?

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.

Did you know...

Microraptors are the smallest species of the raptor group. Their weight was around 2.2 lb (1 kg).

What is the difference between an Orkoraptor and a Velociraptor?

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).

What terrain did the Orkoraptor live in?

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