A dinosaur standing 6ft tall and measuring over 20ft long emerges from the brush. Its prey can’t help but stay focused on the towering reptile and its long claws. Before it can formulate a plan of escape, another one comes sprinting in from behind. This might sound like another simple case of a velociraptor attack if you were to believe modern films. However, that wasn’t a Velociraptor. That was Utahraptor. Today, we’re going to compare a Utahraptor vs Velociraptor and show you which of them would win in a fight to the finish.
Comparing a Utahraptor and a Velociraptor
| Utahraptor | Velociraptor | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: 700lbs-1,100lbs Height: 4.9ft at the hips, 6ft overall Length: 16ft-23ft | Weight: 20lbs-33lbs, perhaps up to 50lbs. Height: 1.5-2.5ft tall overall Length: 4.5ft-6.5ft |
| Speed and Movement Type | 15-20 mph | – 10-24 mph – Bipedal striding |
| Defenses | – Large size – Keen instincts – Agility | – Speed – Agility |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Could kick and slash with sickle-shaped claws measuring between 8in and 9in long – Probably used its hand claws and bites to kill prey after wounding them | – 3-inch claw on the second toe of each foot – Swift, agile attacker that could grasp prey and then attack with kicks – 28 teeth serrated on the back edge – Attacked by leaping at and pinning prey, finishing them shortly after |
| Predatory Behavior | – May have been pack hunters – Ambush hunters that made up for their relatively slow speed with cunning | – Hunted alone rather than in packs as portrayed in the films – Attempted to cut the vital neck areas of prey |
What Are Key Differences Between a Utahraptor and a Velociraptor?
The greatest difference between a Utahraptor and a velociraptor is their size. As dromaeosaurids, Utahraptor and Velociraptor had many similarities in terms of their physiology. However, Utahraptors are larger than Velociraptors, weighing up to 1,100lbs, standing up to 6ft tall, and measuring 23ft long, but Velociraptors weigh up to 50lbs, stand 2.5ft tall, and measure about 6.5ft in length.
The size difference is significant to the fight, but it’s not the only factor that matters in this battle. We’re going to examine several other elements that will impact this fight.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Utahraptor and a Velociraptor?
Velociraptor was formidable for its size.
©kamomeen/Shutterstock.com
The key factors in a Utahraptor vs Velociraptor fight include size, speed, and offensive capabilities. Battles between any wild creatures typically come down to a series of elements that are outlined in five broad areas. These include the size of the dinosaur, speed, defenses, offensive abilities, and predatory methods.
Take a look as we compare these creatures through these lenses and determine which of the two has the most advantages going into the final comparison.
Utahraptor vs Velociraptor: Size
Utahraptor was much larger than Velociraptor. In fact, Utahraptor was probably a more accurate version of the Velociraptor that was featured in recent films. A velociraptor only stands about 2.5ft tall, grows 6.5ft long, and weighs about 33-50lbs or slightly more, depending on the source.
Utahraptor was very large, weighing up to 1,100lbs, standing 4.9ft at the hips and perhaps 6ft overall, and grew up to 23ft long, counting its very long feathery tail.
The Utahraptor had a significant size advantage over the Velociraptor.
Utahraptor vs Velociraptor: Speed and Movement
Velociraptor was faster than Utahraptor. However, these dinosaurs were very similar in terms of their top speeds. Utahraptor could run at speeds between 15 and 20 mph at top speed, but Velociraptor could reach speeds of 24 mph or slightly more. Both dinosaurs were bipedal and used strides to reach their optimum speed.
Velociraptor had the speed advantage in this fight.
Utahraptor vs Velociraptor: Defenses
The Velociraptor’s defenses were predicated on being able to outrun its predators. This dinosaur was speedy and agile, so it could have evaded larger carnivorous dinosaurs.
The Utahraptor was larger than the Velociraptor, meaning that it could attack moderately sized dinosaurs or frighten them off. Like other hunters, the Utahraptor had great instincts that helped it locate and identify prey. That allowed Utahraptor to notice potential predators and flee or fight. Although its speed could help Utahraptor, it wasn’t very fast overall.
Overall, the Utahraptor had better defenses than a Velociraptor.
Utahraptor vs Velociraptor: Offensive Capabilities
Both Utahraptor and Velociraptor were very similar in that their most potent offensive weapon was the second toe on their feet. Utahraptor’s large sickle-shaped toe claw measured up to 8 inches long, so a kick from this dinosaur could instantly tear a creature open.
To make matters worse for its prey, the Utahraptor had hand claws as well. Like other raptors, the Utahraptor could use those hand claws to grasp prey and kick them, but some evidence suggests that they could balance well enough to kick prey without grasping and then finish them with bites.
Velociraptor had a 3-inch claw on its second toe. It could quickly leap at, severely harm, and pin its prey in a swift motion. It also finished off prey with its teeth.
The Utahraptor had an advantage in terms of offensive capabilities.
Utahraptor vs Velociraptor: Predatory Behavior
The Velociraptor was an opportunistic predator that hunted alone. This predator would attempt to quickly attack the neck or other vital areas of their prey.
Utahraptor lacked the high speed and ability to chase prey, so it was an ambush predator and probably a scavenger. They may have also hunted in packs, according to some fossil records.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Utahraptor and a Velociraptor?
The Utahraptor would barely register Velociraptor as a threat.
©Elenarts/Shutterstock.com
Utahraptor would win a fight against a Velociraptor. The Utahraptor has every advantage in this fight, including size, power, and offensive measures. Since the Utahraptor weighs about 20 times more than the maximum weight of a Velociraptor and the latter cannot kill the larger creature, we have to award the victory to the Utahraptor.
Utahraptor is everything we’ve seen as Velociraptors in various films, except both dinosaurs did have feathers. The fight would probably see the Utahraptor ambushing the Velociraptor and dealing tremendous damage to it with a swift kick and claw attack at the neck or body. The Utahraptor would pin and maul the Velociraptor to finish it off.
Either way, there is no way that Velociraptor walks away from this fight alive.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Elenarts/Shutterstock.com
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