Achillobator
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Achillobator is an odd raptor. It's short-limbed and heavily-built - not what one would expect from a dromaeosaur. The proportions of the leg, with the upper leg longer than the lower leg, show this is not an animal built for speed. Indeed, its movement is slow and somewhat awkward. It has distinctively short wings and legs relative to other dromaeosaurids such as Velociraptor. Short-leggedness and robustness is also seen in its relative Utahraptor. Achillobator's wings and legs may be short, but they were strong, and can deliver powerful kicks and wing slaps. It probably ambushed prey of the same size or smaller, attacking with its wings and feet. Its habitat was likely a subtropical dry forest. One of its most significant features is the deep hip area and prominent pubic boot, which is far larger than in other dromaeosaurs. Our Achillobator have brightly-colored groins and use them to display during the breeding season. You may want to shield your children's eyes. We have five Achillobator that live in the Mongolia of the Cretaceous exhibit: two males, two adult females, and one baby, Altan. The group is fairly stable outside of the breeding season, during which both sexes display. Occasionally two will get into a scuffle, which amounts to short, forceful displays of wing-battering and kicks, mostly mock attacks. |
Scientific name Location Time Length Weight Diet |