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Description

My take on the Dakotaraptor; bright blue reconstruction is very unlikely, as a creature of such proportions in such bright colours would make a highlight, a defective quality. Sandy coloured version is more realistic, fitting into the Hells Creek environment. Quill knobs automatically suggest feather coverage- for protection from the elements, or courtship. The large filoplume feathers are purely speculative.

Art by me, skeleton reference from the DePalma papers.

Reference(s):
DePalma, R. et al (2015). The first giant raptor (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae) from the Hell Creek Formation. Paleontological Contributions. 14

Description

My take on the Dakotaraptor; bright blue reconstruction is very unlikely, as a creature of such proportions in such bright colours would make a highlight, a defective quality. Sandy coloured version is more realistic, fitting into the Hells Creek environment. Quill knobs automatically suggest feather coverage- for protection from the elements, or courtship. The large filoplume feathers are purely speculative.

Art by me, skeleton reference from the DePalma papers.

Reference(s):
DePalma, R. et al (2015). The first giant raptor (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae) from the Hell Creek Formation. Paleontological Contributions. 14