Dromaeosaur RAPTOR Dinosaur Pedal Claw. Cretaceous. Lance Formation, USA

This exceptional dinosaur toe claw was legally collected from private ranch land by a well respected U.S. fossil hunter, in the renowned Lance Formation of Weston County, Wyoming, USA. It represents the iconic Dromaeosaur 'raptor', the product of over 90 million years of evolutionary refinement. 

The claws preservation extends to the defined blood groove, beautifully preserved and running clearly along the inner curve, highlighting the fine anatomical detail that rarely survives millions of years. The natural patina and bone texture are equally striking, with subtle color variations and dynamic character. It remains in its true natural state, in ‘as found condition’, which can be said for very few claws nowadays. While part of the proximal articulating surface is incomplete, the remainder of the claw is intact and beautifully preserved, measuring 31mm (or 1.18”) in a straight line, presented in a premium display case. 

Every angle reveals the story of this claw’s long journey from Late Cretaceous predator to a museum-quality fossil, making it as visually captivating as it is scientifically significant.

Anatomically, the claw represents a pedal ungual (claw), likely from digit III, the primary weight-bearing toe of a small dromaeosaur (raptor). Providing traction and grip while running across varied Late Cretaceous terrain, this claw combined with powerful tendons and musculature, enabled the raptor to pin prey and maintain balance during high-speed pursuit. It reveals how small carnivorous raptors balanced agility, stability, and predatory specialization. While its form exhibits very subtle similarities to Anzu, a genus of oviraptorosaur, these features simply reflect evolutionary convergence and general theropod pedal ungual morphology overall.
Its lightly curved, robust morphology, pronounced blood groove, and sharp tip provide a rare and detailed glimpse into the predatory specialization of Dromaeosauridae.

Altogether, this specimen is a remarkable example, notable for its elegant shape and unique attributes.

Origin Information: 

This claw hails from the Lance Formation of Weston County, Wyoming, USA, dating to approximately 66–68 million years ago. During the Late Cretaceous, this region formed part of the coastline of an ancient inland sea that stretched across the heart of North America, creating a lush and diverse ecosystem. The area supported towering predators such as Tyrannosaurus rex, dome-headed Pachycephalosaurus, and horned Triceratops, alongside abundant herbivores including Edmontosaurus, Thescelosaurus, and the fleet-footed Struthiomimus.  
Amid this dynamic environment, nimble dromaeosaurs—members of the Dromaeosauridae family such as Acheroraptor and Dakotaraptor hunted and thrived, their curved, sickle-shaped claws giving them remarkable predatory efficiency. 

 Product Specifications:

• Origin: Lance Formation, Weston County, Wyoming, USA

• Specimen Type: Theropod Dinosaur toe claw-  Dromaeosaur sp. (Raptor)

• Era: Late Cretaceous (~66–68 million years ago)

• Size: 3cm (1.18”) (straight line measurement)

• Condition: Original, unaltered; proximal articulating surface missing however the rest of the claw is intact and exquisitely preserved.

• Presentation: Includes premium display case

• Certificate of Authenticity: Included (please see FAQ page for more info)

A beautiful claw with verified provenance, offered exclusively at Collectors’ Cabin.
All serious inquiries are welcomed. Contact us at collectorscabinltd@gmail.com or use our “contact” link in the main menu. 

Please note: Every effort is made to photograph specimens in natural light for accurate representation. However, variations in-screen settings may cause very slight differences in colour appearance.