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Dromaeosaurs ranged in size from about 2 to 20 feet, depending on the species. They had a short, compact body held horizontally at the hips. It was bipedal, walking and running on its powerful hind legs, using a long tail stiffened with tendons for balance. The head was relatively-large, with a narrow snout containing serrated, backward-pointing teeth, and forward-facing eyes indicating binocular vision. The arms were large, and ended in three-fingered hands capable of grasping prey; these apparently were held close to the body when running.
Dromaeosaurs ranged in size from about 2 to 20 feet, depending on the species. They had a short, compact body held horizontally at the hips. It was bipedal, walking and running on its powerful hind legs, using a long tail stiffened with tendons for balance. The head was relatively-large, with a narrow snout containing serrated, backward-pointing teeth, and forward-facing eyes indicating binocular vision. The arms were large, and ended in three-fingered hands capable of grasping prey; these apparently were held close to the body when running.
The feet bore four toes, of which the third and fourth toes bore the weight of the animal when moving about. The second toe was much larger by comparison, and fossilized remains ''in situ'' - as well as recently found footprints[http://www.springerlink.com/content/v1u455854212404r/]- have shown it was held off the ground in a retracted position similar to a cat's claws. This "switchblade" claw - much larger than any of the other claws - is believed by scientists to have been used as a slashing weapon during the hunt; the raptor would leap on its prey and disembowel it with these claws.
The feet bore four toes, of which the third and fourth toes bore the weight of the animal when moving about. The second toe was much larger by comparison, and fossilized remains ''in situ'' - as well as recently found footprints [http://www.springerlink.com/content/v1u455854212404r/]- have shown it was held off the ground in a retracted position similar to a cat's claws. This "switchblade" claw - much larger than any of the other claws - is believed by scientists to have been used as a slashing weapon during the hunt; the raptor would leap on its prey and disembowel it with these claws.
[[Category:Dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs]]