Rativates Facts
Pronunciation: RAT-ih-VAY-teez
Name meaning: Ship Escapee
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 1.5m |
| Length | 3.5m |
| Weight | 50 kg |
| Speed | 50 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Canada |
Rativates was a theropod dinosaur that lived during the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This fascinating creature was discovered in Alberta's famous Dinosaur Park Formation, one of the world's richest fossil sites. Despite being a relatively recent discovery, described in 2016, Rativates has already provided valuable insights into the diversity of ornithomimids in ancient North America.
As an ornithomimid theropod, Rativates possessed the characteristic ostrich-like build of its group, with long, powerful legs built for speed and a lightweight frame. Standing about 1.5 metres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 3.5 metres in total length, it was a medium-sized member of its family. Its name, meaning 'ship escapee', reflects the elusive nature of ornithomimid fossils and how they seem to 'escape' easy classification.
Like other ornithomimids, Rativates was likely an omnivore, using its toothless beak to feed on a varied diet of plants, fruits, insects, and small animals. Its long neck would have allowed it to reach both ground-level vegetation and higher plant material. The creature's large eyes suggest it had excellent vision, essential for spotting both food sources and potential predators in the diverse ecosystems of Cretaceous Alberta.
Rativates lived alongside famous dinosaurs like Centrosaurus and various tyrannosaurs, representing part of the rich ornithomimid diversity that characterised Late Cretaceous North America. Its discovery helps palaeontologists better understand how these 'bird-mimic' dinosaurs evolved and diversified during this crucial period in Earth's history.
What made Rativates distinctive?
Rativates possessed the typical ornithomimid features of long, slender legs, a small head with a toothless beak, and an elongated neck. Specific distinguishing characteristics from other ornithomimids are still being studied due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil remains.
Behaviour
Rativates likely lived in herds for protection, using its exceptional speed to escape from large predators like Gorgosaurus. It probably spent much of its time foraging, using its keen eyesight to locate food sources across the coastal plains and river systems of Cretaceous Alberta.
Discovery
Rativates was first described by Bradley McFeeters in 2016. The original fossils were discovered at Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada.
Rativates FAQ
What did Rativates eat?
Rativates was an omnivore with a varied diet including plants, fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals. Its toothless beak was well-suited for this diverse feeding strategy, allowing it to strip vegetation, crack open fruits, and snap up small prey items.
How big was Rativates?
Rativates stood approximately 1.5 metres tall at the hip and measured about 3.5 metres in total length. It weighed roughly 50 kilograms, making it a medium-sized ornithomimid with a lightweight but sturdy build designed for speed.
When did Rativates live?
Rativates lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, specifically during the Campanian stage around 83.6 million years ago. This was a time when dinosaur diversity was at its peak, just before the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Rativates found?
Rativates was discovered in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada. This world-famous fossil site has yielded numerous dinosaur species and provides a window into
Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America.
How do you pronounce Rativates?
Rativates is pronounced 'RAT-ih-VAY-teez'. The name comes from Latin words meaning 'ship' and 'escapee', reflecting how elusive ornithomimid fossils can be to classify and study.
What does Rativates mean?
Rativates means 'ship escapee' in Latin. The full species name, Rativates evadens, essentially reinforces this meaning twice over, emphasising how ornithomimid fossils tend to be difficult to find and classify due to their delicate bone structure.
How fast could Rativates run?
Rativates could likely reach speeds of up to 50 km/h thanks to its long, powerful legs and lightweight build. This impressive speed would have been its primary defence against the large predatory dinosaurs that shared its environment.
What type of dinosaur was Rativates?
Rativates was a theropod dinosaur belonging to the family Ornithomimidae. These dinosaurs were known as 'bird mimics' due to their ostrich-like appearance, with long legs, necks, and toothless beaks.
Was Rativates related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Rativates was closely related to modern birds. Ornithomimids like Rativates were part of the broader theropod group from which birds evolved, sharing many anatomical features including hollow bones and similar leg structures.
How many Rativates fossils have been found?
Rativates is known from limited fossil material, which is typical for ornithomimids due to their delicate bone structure. The fragmentary nature of the remains makes detailed study challenging, but ongoing research continues to reveal new information about this elusive dinosaur.
