Re: "Raptors", falconiforms, and popular culture

[dinoboygraphics@aol.com]

> > > I much prefer Utahraptor---it's much closer to the archetypical 
"raptor" in size (and probably integument; it probably didn't need 
feathered covering thanks to its size) than Velociraptor.<<<

I'm sorry, this is not correct (well, except for the part about 
Velociraptor being over-rated).  Utahraptor is clearly at the large end 
of the dromeaosaur size spectrum, and there is no reason to think that 
Utahraptor would have lost its feathers due to its size, any more than 
imagining that ostriches or emus would (or moa or elephant birds).


Scott Hartman
Science Director
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
110 Carter Ranch Rd.
Thermopolis, WY 82443
(800) 455-3466 ext. 230
Cell: (307) 921-8333

www.skeletaldrawing.com

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