Imperobator
Imperobator was a meat-eating dinosaur that lived in Antarctica during the Late Cretaceous. It was one of only two non-bird theropods known from that icy continent. Scientists think it was a close cousin of the famous raptors like Velociraptor.1
When did it live?
How big was it?
How long was it?
How tall was it?
at the hips, initial estimate
How big was Imperobator compared to YOU?
Just maths in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
How fast was it?
Fun facts
Imperobator is one of only two non-avian theropod dinosaurs ever found in Antarctica.1
Its foot did not have the famous sickle claw that most raptors have, which surprised scientists.1
The first fossils were discovered in 2003 by a team from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.1
Imperobator lived about 71 million years ago, when Antarctica was warmer and covered in forests.1
It shared its home with the ornithopod dinosaur Morrosaurus and the bird Antarcticavis.1
Scientists are still debating whether Imperobator was a true dromaeosaur or a more primitive paravian.1
Most asked questions about Imperobator
?How big was Imperobator?
Imperobator was about 2 to 3 metres long, similar in size to Deinonychus. It was originally thought to be much larger, like Utahraptor, but later studies showed it was smaller.1
?Did Imperobator have a sickle claw?
No, Imperobator did not have the famous sickle claw on its foot that most raptors have. This surprised scientists and helped them figure out it was not a true dromaeosaur.1
?What did Imperobator eat?
Imperobator was a meat-eating dinosaur. Its teeth were long, curved, and bladed, just like those of other carnivorous paravians.1
?Where was Imperobator found?
Imperobator was found on James Ross Island in Antarctica. The first fossils were discovered in 2003 by a team from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.1
?When did Imperobator live?
Imperobator lived about 71 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. At that time, Antarctica was warmer and covered in forests.1
?Is Imperobator a dinosaur?
Yes, Imperobator is a non-avian theropod dinosaur. It is one of only two non-bird theropods ever found in Antarctica.1
Ask Rex about Imperobator
Rex only answers questions about this page. 10 questions a month.
Rex is an AI and can make mistakes. He runs on servers in the EU and questions are never saved. Never type your name or other personal things.
Myth buster
Myth: Imperobator had a sickle claw like Velociraptor.
Truth: Imperobator lacked the distinctive sickle claw on its foot, which sets it apart from typical dromaeosaurs.1
For dino experts
- Scientific name
- Imperobator
- Named by
- Ely and Case 20192
- Group
- Raptors
- Family / clade
- Dromaeosauridae2
- Classification
- Theropoda > Dromaeosauridae2
- Age of the rocks
- 72 to 66 million years (Maastrichtian)2
- Rock formations
- Snow Hill Island2
- Countries
- Antarctica2
- Fossil records
- 1 in the Paleobiology Database2
- Discovery
- Imperobator was named by Ricardo Ely and Judd Case in 2019. The fossils were first found in 2003 on James Ross Island, Antarctica, and were initially thought to be a dromaeosaur.12
- Still debated
- Scientists are not sure whether Imperobator belongs to the dromaeosaur family or to a more primitive group of paravians.1
Where the facts come from
- Imperobator (en.wikipedia.org)
- Imperobator in The Paleobiology Database (CC BY 4.0): age, places, rock formations, classification.
Every fact on this page has a number that points to its source. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are dino fans, not a science journal. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
Rex is hungry! Dino Wiki is a dad's project for his dino-loving son, free with no ads. Grown-ups can feed Rex a snack to help keep it online.Feed Rex
Velociraptor
Microraptor
Deinonychus
Asiamericana
Richardoestesia
Saurornitholestes
Tyrannosaurus
Triceratops
Spinosaurus
Ankylosaurus
Parasaurolophus
Pteranodon