| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.9m |
| Length | 2m |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Speed | 40 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | North America |
Dromaeosaurus was a ferocious theropod dinosaur that prowled the landscapes of western North America during the Late Cretaceous period, between 80 and 69 million years ago. This remarkable predator lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, and parts of the western United States, leaving behind fossils in famous formations including Hell Creek, Horseshoe Canyon, and Dinosaur Park Formation.
Unlike its more famous relative Velociraptor, Dromaeosaurus was notably more robust and heavily built despite being similar in size. Standing about 90 centimetres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 2 metres in length, this theropod was perfectly designed for hunting. Its most distinctive feature was the large, curved sickle-shaped claw on each foot, which it likely used to slash at prey whilst gripping with its powerful arms and sharp hand claws.
As a carnivore, Dromaeosaurus would have hunted smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, and other creatures of its time. Its teeth were sharp and recurved, ideal for slicing through flesh, whilst its muscular build suggests it was capable of taking down prey through powerful attacks. The dinosaur's name, meaning 'running lizard', reflects its likely ability to chase down victims at considerable speed.
Dromaeosaurus holds special significance in palaeontology as the type genus that gave its name to the entire Dromaeosauridae family, which includes many similar 'raptor' dinosaurs. This makes it one of the most important theropod discoveries, helping scientists understand the evolution and characteristics of these intelligent, agile predators.
Dromaeosaurus possessed a large, sickle-shaped killing claw on each foot, measuring up to 6.5 centimetres long. It had a more robust, heavily-muscled build compared to other similar-sized raptors, with powerful arms ending in sharp claws and a mouth full of curved, serrated teeth.
Dromaeosaurus likely hunted alone or in small groups, using its speed and agility to pursue prey. It would have used its famous sickle claws to deliver devastating slashing wounds whilst gripping victims with its strong arms and hands, demonstrating the coordinated attack strategy typical of advanced theropods.
Whilst not as famous as Velociraptor, Dromaeosaurus occasionally appears in documentaries about prehistoric predators and has featured in some dinosaur-themed books and educational materials focusing on raptor evolution.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Order | Avetheropoda |
| Family | Dromaeosauridae |
| Genus | Dromaeosaurus |
Dromaeosaurus was first described by William Diller Matthew and Barnum Brown in 1922. The original fossils were discovered at Alberta, Canada.
