It's national velociraptor awareness day! What is there that we need to be aware of regarding velociraptors? No idea! We're just here to enjoy renditions of these swift plunderers from 73ish million years ago (the raptors, not the art).
And before you get up in arms about the specification of some of these little guys, we've broadened the scope to include all types of dromaeosaurs...because the art was pretty, and frankly, mistakes were already made before we got here (we're looking at you, Jurassic Park).
So, please enjoy this raptor and raptor-adjacent art. (And, while we have you, can the paleo plushie experts please take a look and see if they can help this user find another Hammer?)
Cas, the amazing husband that he is, indulged Dean by taking him to Jurassic World + documented it with a selfie. He was only mildly confused over Dean's excitement for a prehistoric reptile.
In honor of National Velociraptor Awareness Day, guests can now see for themselves the most notorious dinosaurs ever cloned by InGen. Our Velociraptors are without question the most intelligent prehistoric species yet encountered, and their nigh-preternatural skills at problem-solving and overall intelligence are now on full display at the new Raptor Encounter attraction.
Our Velociraptors--Charlie, Echo, Delta and Blue--have been trained since birth to obey over forty commands. Our lead dinosaur behaviorist, Owen Grady, suspects they are capable of understanding much more.
"The key to leading the raptors has been establishing a relationship of mutual respect," says Grady. "The pack sees me as alpha, chiefly because Blue regards herself as the beta and defers to me. It's a bit touch-and-go sometimes but we get along. Mostly."
And this relationship of mutual respect is on full display at Raptor Encounter. Following a pre-show recounting Grady's early work with the adorable baby raptors, the squad themselves strut their stuff through a series of intelligence tests and enrichment activities. Obstacles are overcome, mazes are navigated, doors are opened, and prey is chased, squealing, at the conclusion (please note that this attraction may be too intense for younger visitors).
In addition to the general attraction, guests who have purchased our Adrenaline Package can now take a 3-day course, taught by Grady himself, covering the basics of raptor control through simple instructions. Book your tickets and come join the Raptor Squad today!
In honor of National Velociraptor Awareness Day, here's an excerpt of my dinopunk novella The Beasts of Kulig County wherein a Velociraptor takes center stage:
Justin stood back and watched as she negotiated the gruesome vehicle up out of the ditch, and when she’d parked it on the road behind his SUV and gotten back out he said, “It looks like a slaughterhouse of wheels,” he said. “You couldn’t pay me to ride in that.”
“Well then I guess it’s a good thing you won’t have to,” Gina said as she walked past him to check out the hopper carcass. The remaining tai all took to the air when she approached, but the fennik hissed a challenge and spread its wings in an attempt to look tough. A single hard kick sent the Velociraptor flying back several feet and scurrying into the brush.
“Dibs on the skull,” Justin said as he approached the scene.