Dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that lived millions of years ago during the Mesozoic Era. They ranged in size and shape; many were adapted for running and chasing prey.
While it is difficult to determine the exact top speeds of these ancient creatures, paleontologists have made estimates based on their fossilized bones and trackways.
These estimates suggest that some dinosaurs could run at impressive speeds, rivaling or surpassing the speed of modern-day animals. However, these estimates are based on assumptions.
Despite their impressive speed, many dinosaurs ultimately went extinct, likely due to various factors, including environmental changes and competition from other species.
10. Gigantoraptor
Speed: 58 kilometers per hour
Family: Oviraptorosauria
Period: Late Cretaceous
Size: 26 feet long, 5,000 pounds
Diet: Omnivorous
photo source: wikimedia.org
Gigantoraptor was a large, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It had long, powerful legs and a flexible spine, which allowed it to move quickly and agilely. In addition, they had a unique set of feathers that covered its body, which may have helped to insulate them from the cold and provide camouflage.
Gigantoraptors had a long, pointed beak that they used to forage for food and sharp claws on their feet that they used for digging and grasping prey. They lived in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. It was likely an opportunistic feeder, eating various plants and animals depending on what was available.
Did You Know:
Gigantoraptor was only discovered in 2005 and is still not well-known to the general public.
9. Eotyrannus
Speed: 61 kilometers per hour Family: Tyrannosaurid Period: Early Cretaceous Size: 20 feet long, 500 pounds Diet: Carnivorous
photo source: nocookie.net
Eotyrannus was likely a solitary hunter, stalking and ambushing its prey rather than hunting in groups. It is thought to have fed on a variety of small to medium-sized prey, including other dinosaurs, reptiles, and mammals.
The sharp, serrated teeth on the long, narrow skull of Eotyrannus, which it probably used to tear into its prey. A flexible spine and strong, agile legs would have allowed it to move fast and pursue prey across great distances.
Did You Know:
Eotyrannus was discovered in the UK in 2001 and is one of the oldest known tyrannosaurids. It is an important fossil because it helps shed light on this iconic dinosaur’s early evolution. It was described in a 2002 paper published in the journal “Nature.”
8. Velociraptor
Speed: 64 kilometers per hour Family: Dromaeosaurid Period: Late Cretaceous Size: 6-7 feet long, 50-100 pounds Diet: Carnivorous
photo source: nocookie.net
The Velociraptor is frequently portrayed as a larger, more cunning, and more ferocious dinosaur than it was. Instead, it was a small, swift predator that hunted in packs.
Velociraptor is one of the most well-known dinosaurs, thanks partly to its portrayal in popular media, such as the “Jurassic Park” franchise.
However, it is worth noting that the depiction of the Velociraptor in these movies is not entirely accurate and is based on artistic license and scientific speculation.
Did You Know:
Velociraptor means “swift seizer” in Latin and is named after its long, powerful legs and sharp claws.
7. Elaphrosaurus
Speed: 65 kilometers per hour Family: Coelurosaurs Period: Late Jurassic Size: 9-13 feet long, 220-400 pounds Diet: Carnivorous
photo source: dinosaurpictures.org
Elaphrosaurus was a type of small to medium-sized theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 154-152 million years ago during the Late Jurassic Period. Despite being a relatively small dinosaur, Elaphrosaurus had unusually long and slender legs, which may have helped it to achieve its high speeds.
Elaphrosaurus is known from several well-preserved fossil specimens, including several nearly complete skeletons. The remains of Elaphrosaurus have been found in several locations worldwide, including Africa, Europe, and North America.
Did You Know:
The name Elaphrosaurus means “light-footed lizard, “ which is thought to be a reference to its agile and fast-moving nature.
6. Struthiomimus
Speed: 67 kilometers per hour Family: Ornithomimids Period: Late Cretaceous Size: 13-16 feet long, 110-220 pounds Diet: Herbivorous
photo source: i.pinimg.com
Struthiomimus is thought to have been a close relative of the famous dinosaur Velociraptor, which lived during the same period and had a similar body shape and size.
It was a member of the dinosaurs known as Ornithomimids, characterized by their long, slender legs and arms and their toothless beaks. It likely used its speed to evade predators rather than to hunt prey.
The remains of Struthiomimus have been found in several locations in North America, including Alberta, Montana, and Wyoming. It is considered a relatively common dinosaur in its time and place, with a wide distribution across North America.
Did You Know:
The name Struthiomimus means “ostrich mimic,” which refers to its long, slender legs and fast-running ability, similar to those of modern-day ostriches.
5. Gallimimus
Speed: 68 kilometers per hour Family: Ornithomimids Period: Late Cretaceous Size: 23-30 feet long, 1,100-1,760 pounds Diet: Herbivorous
photo source: nocookie.net
Gallimimus is known for having a long, featherless tail that it may have used for balance and maneuverability while running at high speeds. Despite its large size, Gallimimus is considered a relatively lightweight dinosaur, with a body built for speed and agility rather than for strength.
The remains of Gallimimus have been found in several locations in Asia, including Mongolia and China. Some scientists believe that Gallimimus may have been a social animal living in large herds or flocks.
Did You Know:
Some researchers have suggested that Gallimimus may have had a complex visual system, with eyes that were large and positioned on the sides of its head, which would have allowed it to have a wide field of vision.
4. Ornithomimus
Speed: 70 kilometers per hour Family: Ornithomimids Period: Late Cretaceous Size: 13-16 feet long, 110-220 pounds Diet: Herbivorous
photo source: i.pinimg.com
It was a close relative of other well-known ornithomimid dinosaurs such as Struthiomimus and Gallimimus. Despite its toothless beak, Ornithomimus is thought to have had a strong bite force, thanks to the presence of a bony ridge on the roof of its mouth that would have supported powerful jaw muscles.
Ornithomimus is one of the few dinosaurs scientists have found evidence of feathers. In addition, fossilized impressions of feathers have been found on the legs and arms of some specimens, suggesting that they may have had feathers for insulation or courtship displays.
Did You Know:
Ornithomimus may have been a prey species, hunted by larger carnivorous dinosaurs such as Albertosaurus and Tyrannosaurus.
3. Dromaeosaur
Speed: 70 kilometers per hour Family: Dromaeosauridae Period: Early Cretaceous Size: 3-6 feet long, 22-33 pounds Diet: Carnivorous
photo source: fossilguy.com
Dromaeosaurs were likely intelligent and had good senses, including sharp vision and a keen sense of smell. Dromaeosaurids are closely related to birds, and many of them have feathers. Some dromaeosaurs, like Velociraptors, have been found with quill knobs on their forearms, indicating that they had feathers on their arms.
Dromaeosaurs are known for fossil remains in many parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe.
Did You Know:
Dromaeosaurs are featured in Jurassic Park movies, although they are portrayed as much larger and more intelligent than they were in real life.
2. Deinonychus
Speed: 70 kilometers per hour Family: Dromaeosauridae Period: Early Cretaceous Size: 11 feet long, 150 pounds Diet: Carnivorous
photo source: worldatlas.com
Dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Utahraptor were also members of the family Dromaeosauridae, including Deinonychus. Dinosaurs and other tiny to medium-sized creatures, including lizards, birds, and probably small dinosaurs, made up most of Deinonychus’ diet.
Deinonychus lived in the early Cretaceous period when the Earth’s climate was warmer and more humid than it is today.
Did You Know:
Deinonychus was first discovered in 1964 by paleontologist John Ostrom, who later coined the term “raptor” to describe this group of dinosaurs.
1. Troodon
Speed: 80 kilometers per hour Family: Troodontidae Period: Late Cretaceous Size: 8 feet long, 33 pounds Diet: Omnivorous
photo source: dinosaurpictures.org
Troodon is possibly the fastest dinosaur that ever lived. It was possibly one of the most intelligent dinosaurs and had a huge brain for its comparatively tiny stature. Given that its brain is proportionally larger than those of surviving reptiles, the creature may have been as intelligent as contemporary birds, whose brain sizes are comparable.
It may have been a nocturnal animal, as its large eyes would have been well-suited for seeing in low-light conditions. On the other hand, some studies have suggested that Troodon may have had an unusually high metabolism, which may have allowed it to be active for long periods.
The skull of Troodon had large, sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, allowing it to deliver powerful bites to its prey.
Did You Know:
Troodon means “wounding tooth” in Greek, about its sharp teeth. Troodon was first discovered in 1855 by paleontologist Joseph Leidy, who named it based on a single tooth.