A remarkable discovery in a late Cretaceous mudflat has revealed the footprints of two different types of raptors. Even more astonishing, one of these prints belongs to a previously unknown species larger than any raptor found before. Named Fujianipus yingliangi, these creatures are estimated to have stood 1.8 meters (5 foot 11 inches) high at the hip and measured a terrifying 5 meters (16 feet) in length, surpassing even the supersized velociraptors of Jurassic Park fame. This new species may even make future big-screen appearances.
Raptor footprints are distinct because they only show two load-bearing claws, with one of the four claws on each foot being small. The larger second claw’s purpose has been debated, initially thought to be for slashing rivals and threats. However, the current favored theory, according to Dr. Anthony Romilio of the University of Queensland, is that it was used to hold down prey while the raptor’s mouth tore into them. This specialized claw was not used for walking, making raptor prints easily distinguishable from those of other dinosaur families.
The mud in Longyan prefecture, Fujian, China, preserves a variety of dinosaur prints, with one horizon containing two sets of raptor prints. One set is small and believed to be from a 1-meter Velociraptor, much smaller than depicted in movies. The other prints, around 36 centimeters (15 inches) long, indicate a much larger creature.
Romilio explained that a general rule is to multiply the length of the footprint by four to estimate the height of a dinosaur at the hip. However, matching raptor bones to prints has shown a ratio closer to 5.5 times, suggesting a creature much larger than previously thought. The estimate for Fujianipus Yingliangi falls somewhere in between.
The prints left by Fujianipus yingliangi and the smaller raptor were likely a coincidence, as they walked relatively slowly and in a different direction. This suggests they were not hunting together. The age of the horizon containing these prints falls between 80-105 million years ago.
The discovery of Fujianipus yingliangi sheds light on raptors’ diversity and size range, showing that they were not all the large, aggressive hunters depicted in movies.