Raptors were carnivorous dinosaurs, members of the family Dromaeosauridae (“running reptiles” in Greek), which lived mainly during the Cretaceous, approximately 143–66 million years ago. They were small to medium-sized feathered dinosaurs that walked on two legs and hunted using their speed, sharp claws and serrated teeth. They may have hunted in groups. Their characteristic enlarged foot claw was probably used to attack prey and climb trees. The family Dromaeosauridae is believed to share a common ancestor with modern birds.
Among the famous genera of raptors are: Velociraptor, Utahraptor and Deinonychus. In Morocco there was a species of raptor whose teeth are frequently found by local fossil hunters. Unfortunately, in the case of the Moroccan raptor, mostly only teeth have been discovered, so its exact appearance and other physiological characteristics can only be theorized based on its belonging to the family Dromaeosauridae.
Raptors' teeth were sharp and serrated, optimized for tearing flesh. As with other reptiles, raptors replaced their teeth very frequently during their lives, even weekly.
