Lowland Velociraptor
"They're lethal in 8 months and I do mean lethal! I've hunted most things that can hunt you, but the way these things move.."
~Robert Muldoon
Species:
Velociraptor sp.
Common Name:
Lowland Velociraptor
Family:
Dromaeosauridae
Seen in:
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
• Jurassic Park Trespasser (1998)
Vocalizations:
Description:
"Carnivore, pack hunter, about two meters tall, long snout, binocular vision, strong dexterous forearms, and killing claws on both feet."
Robert Burke's description of Velociraptor during InGen's expedition on Isla Sorna in 1997 is an apt summary of this stunning predator. Velociraptor is a dromaeosaurid that once inhabited the arid Flaming Cliffs of what is now China and Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous. It was an agile biped capable of rapid sprints.
According to the fossil record, Velociraptor was a small feathered dromaeosaur, just about reaching a human waist in height. It had a narrow snout and winged arms—evidenced by the presence of quill knobs. The Velociraptors cloned by InGen sport no feathers and reach nearly two meters in height. These clones have large grasping arms and boxy heads. A wide variety of distinct Velociraptor strains have been identified, most of which have their own unique traits and behaviors.
This particular breed, named the Lowland Velociraptor, was chosen for exhibition at Jurassic Park. Lowland Velociraptors are known for their sinister, slit-pupils and leathery skin. Their calculating eyes typically remain fixed in their orbits like in birds, as the raptors must turn and tilt their heads to look around. Their heads are robust, with large teeth—typically concealed behind snarling lips—neatly lining the inside of their fearsome jaws. Rows of small scutes line the top and sides of their muscular necks. Their highly flexible tails can be seen rising above the underbrush as they prowl.
Lowland Velociraptors are believed to be matriarchal, as wild populations on Isla Sorna predominately consist of male specimens. While social animals, violent altercations between packmates is frequently observed. This strain is not as well coordinated as other Velociraptor breeds, yet are extremely effective pack hunters nonetheless. They communicate through deep, raspy barks emitted from an internal resonating chamber in their throats.
These clever carnivores are known to be ambush predators, silently concealing themselves within dense vegetation, waiting to pounce on potential prey. If you manage to spot one, their pack members have likely spotted you. These vicious killers use their large sickle-claws to pin prey beneath their feet and consume them while they are still alive. Their highly dexterous forearms are capable of digging and even opening doors.
Jurassic Park’s game warden, Robert Muldoon, expressed major concern regarding the Lowland Velociraptors during the park’s construction. While eight female raptors were bred for the park, only three raptors remained by the time of the 1993 incident after a single individual assumed power over the pack and killed all but two. It is reported that this individual directed her packmates to systematically test paddock fences for weaknesses. Because of this, the remaining raptors were transferred to a temporary holding pen. Due to the use of genetic material from common reed frogs (Hyperolius viridiflavus) to complete the gaps in the Lowland Velociraptor genome, this strain is capable of changing sex. As a result, a nest of hatched eggs was discovered in their former paddock during the 1993 incident. Internal documents indicate juveniles specimens were found deceased in 1994.
Size Estimates:
1.7m Tall
4.25m Long
Did you know?
Lowland Velociraptors are currently the only on-screen raptor breed known to only live on the Costa Rican Islands. Highland and IBRIS raptors have both been found on the Mainland.
Habitat & Geographical Ranging:
The Lowland Velociraptors were cloned on Isla Sorna in 1991 at the earliest. Eight females were transferred from Site B to Isla Nublar and placed in their own paddock located in the eastern portion of the island. A single nest was constructed in the roots of a Moreton Bay fig tree in the paddock. At some point, a particularly large individual killed all but two other raptors. Due to continuous issues with these three, park staff elected to move the troublesome raptors to a temporary holding pen. They would briefly escape during the 1993 incident but were all ultimately killed. As juvenile carcasses were found during the 1994 clean-up, it is unknown whether Lowland Velociraptor populations persisted on Nublar.
After Hurricane Clarissa struck Isla Sorna in 1995, the Velociraptors held in containment at InGen facilities were freed. These feral Velociraptors would propagate and inhabit the inner lowlands of the island—hence their name. InGen’s infrared satellite data would confirm that the Lowland raptors occupied Isla Sorna’s interior as their territory. The Lowland region consisted of vast open fields and dense grasslands. The thick undergrowth made for perfect hunting grounds so that these predators may effectively ambush their prey. An abandoned InGen Worker Village is present within the Lowland Velociraptor territory.
Individual Variation:
Lowland Velociraptors exhibit major sexual dimorphism, with two regional female morphs being documented thus far.
The Nublar females sport an amber colored body countered with a white belly. Their dark, muted patterning is difficult to discern, but predominately consists of thick brown stripes speckled across their backs, ending in a banded tail. Their cat-like eyes are lime green, with soft orange highlights and a thick slit pupil.
An alternative look for Lowland Velociraptor females has been observed on Isla Sorna. These females have light caramel toned bodies flecked with dark spots. The key trait distinguishing them from the Nublar specimens is the presence of short, defined brown stripes and the subsequent lack of ring-like banding on their tails.
Male Lowland Velociraptors exhibit a vibrant orange complexion contrasted by a striking white underside. Well-defined dark brown stripes cut across their backs, giving them the nickname "Tiger Raptors." Another defining trait of Lowland males is their eyes. Instead of a lime green, males sport vivid yellow eyes with thin, gecko-like slit pupils.