VENATOSAURUS, LIMITED EDITION

Venatosaurus Wall Head Replica. Sculpted By Gary Hunt and Shaun Bolton. Size: 19 inches H (483mm) x 8 inches W (203mm) x 16.5 inches L (419mm). Venatosaurus is a dromeosaur that measures around 16-24 feet in length. Venatosaurs had several special adaptations that made them capable hunters in the jungle interior. One was their mobile hips, which allowed them to swivel out further and increase their agility. Though their hips decreased the Venatosaur's speed, it made them more agile and capable hunters. It also allowed them to duck under low cover, in order to hide more effectively.

The slit-like eyes were positioned high on the skull, allowing the animal to peer over foliage while remaining hidden. The pupils are similar to that of a cat, slit and able to dilate in order to let in more light while hunting in the dark jungles.

The rib cage was reduced in length but deepened, allowing more flexibility but with no loss of lung capacity. It also allowed more muscle tone, providing a better grip on prey.

The Venatosaur's intelligence helped it learn to use the environment as an advantage, as was depicted when they chased Brontosaurs over unstable terrain. Certain animals revealed themselves to the herd, driving them down a pathway while others went around the ruins. They would then attack and, with this tactic, it took fewer hunters to accomplish a large job.

The Venatosaurs were fairly common in the jungle regions. Vastatosaurs, particularly females still protective of their young, would kill them given the chance, so a Venatosaur pack would normally stay away from the lowland regions, only venturing there to scavenge food in the dead of night.

Venatosaurs were intelligent and social carnivores, hunting in packs of 6-12 animals. Coordinating their attacks with impressive cunning, they developed tactics to deal with specific animals. They were the only small predators that preyed on adult Brontosaurus. Success would lead to a food source the whole pack could share for a week to a month. As well as Brontosaurus, they hunted animals such as Asperdorsus, Treetops and Diablosaurus. Their bodies seem to have design relations to Velociraptor, the possible ancestor, but the measurements of Utahraptor.

Group coordination was the key to success. Their intelligence minimized competition, making them more sophisticated. Alpha pairs dominated a group, but they were not the pack members that mated. Venatosaurs were born live, with the chicks gaining their parent's position within the group. They lived in a nest that was normally underneath excavated tree roots, and were guarded by a pack member at all times.