Dromaeosaurus

swift lizard (running lizard)

• dromaios · Greek · swift, fleet-footed
• sauros · Greek · lizard

The name combines the Greek "dromaios" (swift, running) with "sauros" (lizard). It was chosen because the animal was thought to be a light, fast-moving predator with a slender build and agile limbs. The type species is Dromaeosaurus albertensis, named for Alberta, Canada, where it was found. The whole family Dromaeosauridae is named after this genus.

Named by

Matthew and Brown

Year named

1922

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Campanian

Found in

Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada (with possible material from the western United States)

A small theropod, the type genus of the family Dromaeosauridae (the "raptors"). The type species is D. albertensis. Referrals of material from other regions are uncertain.