Raptor Vs. The Velociraptor

225 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Raptors, such as the Velociraptor, made known by Jurassic Park, were one species of the many dinosaurs that roamed the Earth. Through many films, these creatures are portrayed as intelligent, savage beasts. However, studies may have proved these films wrong. They have shown that there are more types of raptors than the Velociraptor, different ways that they hunted their prey, and if and how they were able to communicate. Scientists have shown that the Velociraptor was not the only raptor that lived. There are 28 notable types of raptors that have been discovered. These include the Utahraptor, the Zhenyuanlong, the Velociraptor, and the Dakotaraptor (“Raptors - The Bird-Like Predators of the Mesozoic Era.”). The two most notable however, were the Velociraptor and the Utahraptor. The Velociraptor was about the size of a chicken and was covered in feathers. The Utahraptor was the largest raptor to ever live, and much like the Velociraptor, was covered in feathers (“10 Facts About Utahraptor, the World’s Biggest
Raptor.”). There were many more raptors than these, but these are the most famous two.
Raptors hunted differently than how they are portrayed in the media.
In the movie Jurassic Park, the raptors are seen as using their high intelligence, and hunting in packs. As of now, there is no evidence to prove that raptors had hunted in packs, however, there is evidence that proves against it. The Velociraptor was found in today’s Gobi desert. The desert looked very similar to how it does today, 75 million years ago. There are not very many resources in the desert to support life, let alone a pack (Neher, Zack). The Utahraptor, found in Utah, had weapons that it had used. It could use its tail to knock over their prey, and then slash into it with its sharp second toe claw and eat it using the powerful sharp teeth that it has (“Utahraptor Research, Part 3: Weapons, Diet, Speed And Agility.”). These raptors were obvious carnivores, but their hunting style is different than what was originally
thought.
Throughout the media, raptors are shown as communicative. Science may have proven this wrong. Dinosaurs are only observable from fossils that have been found. It is believed that they had another organ similar to that of a bird, their closest living relative. This organ is known as syrinx, an organ that birds possess for communication (“Dinosaur Communication Part 1: Vocalizations.”). Dinosaurs may have had this, but the raptors may not have used it. “Despite their wide range of vocalizations, however, raptor communication would have been primarily non-vocal, as these creatures were predatory by nature and making even the slightest noise while hunting could easily scare prey away” (“Dinosaur Communication Part 1: Vocalizations.”). This goes to prove that Spielberg was wrong with how he had portrayed the raptors.
In conclusion, Jurassic Park was incorrect with their version of the Velociraptor. They were almost the opposite of what has been shown. They did not hunt in packs, or communicate vocally, as far as evidence has shown. Raptors are fierce, savage beasts that had ruled the world 225 million years ago. Thanks to science, we now know more than ever about these magnificent creatures.