Defining Characteristics: Great beginner dinosaur | Pack animals | Bold | Easy to breed (with frog DNA) | Small | Extinct | Can be kept in groups when young | Intelligent

Velociraptors – healthy, captive bred theropods on SALE now at Josh’s Frogs!

Name: Velociraptor mongoliensis. Many times simply referred to by their genus name Velociraptor. Commonly called raptors in the trade, and by actors pretending to be paleontologists.

Recommended Vivarium Size: Josh’s Frogs ships raptors when approximately 18″ in length, to avoid USDA regulations banning the interstate travel of carnivorous bipedal theropods. At this point in their lives, a single raptor can be housed in a 24″x18″x18″ Exo Terra Glass Terrarium, as long as it is given ample time outside the enclosure every day. As adults, Velociraptors require ample space to run and hunt. A 20’x40′ vivarium, enclosed with electric fencing, is considered a bare minimum. CAUTION: Velociraptors have been known to test the fences for weaknesses, systematically. They remember.

Temperature: Velociraptor mongoliensis will do well at ambient room temperature, as long as a basking spot of 110F is provided. Temperatures above 10,000F (such as those generated by a large asteroid entering Earth’s atmosphere) are quickly fatal. For this reason, Josh’s Frogs recommends using a Vivarium Electronics Thermostat with any heating element.

Humidity: Like most prehistoric beasts, velociraptors prefer humidity over 70%, similar to a remote volcanic island off the coast of Costa Rica. Josh’s Frogs recommend using an Exo Terra Monsoon RS400 Automatic Misting System to ensure adequate humidity levels in your velociraptor vivarium. Use of live terrarium plants will aid in maintaining high humidity, as well.

Size: Adult female raptors are larger, sometimes reaching nearly 6′ in height. Males are significantly smaller, around 5′ in height.

Age: Captive longevity of velociraptors is unknown, as no deaths due to old age have been recorded. Based on estimates of growth, raptors can live 15-20 years in captivity, if they do not encounter alpha female velociraptors, walk in freezers, or a T-Rex.



Feeding: Velociraptors don’t want to be fed – they want to hunt. Therefore, only offer live prey to your captive group of raptors. When young, crickets or superworms are a great treat, as well as Repashy Meat Pie. As they get older, offer your velociraptors goats, and eventually work your way up to hoofstock. Make sure to dust every prey item with a proper JurassiPet vitamin and mineral supplement, as well as a source of lysine.

Sexing: All of the velociraptors sold by Josh’s Frogs are female, although sex is not guaranteed.

Color/Pattern: Velociraptors come in 2 distinct colors/patterns. Our line is from a 1993 import from a private breeder in Costa Rica, and are generally dark in color, borderline black. These may be a melanistic form.

Social Behavior: Velociraptors are much more dangerous in groups. Josh’s Frogs recommends housing raptors singly, to reduce the likelyhood of disembowelment.

Breeding: Breeding velociraptors can be tricky, as all raptors are born female. If you are lucky enough to breed your raptors, eggs can be hatched using an Exo Terra Incubator at 85F in a bed of Josh’s Frogs ProHatch Incubating Media. Hatching time is approximately 65 million years. Life finds a way.

Natural Range: Velociraptor mongoliensis originally inhabited the area of Asia now known as Mongolia. Currently, raptors are extirpated from the wild, and no in situ populations exist. There are reports of a feral population on Isla Sorna, Costa Rica, but those reports remain unsubstantiated.

History in the Hobby: Recreated in the 1980s using sophisticated techniques involving the extraction of biological material from insects trapped in amber. Bingo – dino DNA. Originally offered only by the INGen Corporation, Josh’s Frogs is proud to offer a new bloodline to the hobby. We’ve spared no expense.

Links of Interest:

Wikipedia article on Velociraptors. Focus on natural history.

About.com – Velociraptors, 10 common questions answered.

National Geographic Article on Velociraptor mongoliensis

Still not sure if Velociraptors from Josh’s Frogs are the right dinosaur for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!

“Raptors make a great pet, until they get hungry!”

“Life found a way . . . into my heart! This scaly creature with huge claws is just a puppy!”

“It bit my nose off. 3 stars”

APRIL FOOLS!