Raptor



There are several types of creatures called raptors in the Warcraft universe.

Azeroth raptors
Raptors are large, aggressive theropods (this means, they stand upright on two large hind legs in a bird-like fashion). Trolls use a variety of raptors as a mount. Raptors are found in Durotar, the Barrens, Wailing Caverns, Wetlands, Arathi Highlands, Un'Goro Crater, Stranglethorn Vale, and Dustwallow Marsh. Raptors seem to be very intelligent for beasts. They wear feathers and beads, and in the Barrens (where the smartest raptors are said to dwell) they have a settlement of mud huts decorated with bone ornaments called Raptor Grounds.

Raptors come in many colors, from green-striped red to yellow-striped turquoise. A raptor’s tail extends straight out, held aloft by an intricate structure of bony supports, thus allowing its weight to be carried entirely by the back legs. Raptors weigh about 600 pounds and use a combination of speed, grasping forearms, large teeth, and hind legs with ripping talons. They hunt by running at prey, leaping, and ripping with their rear talons as they claw and bite. A raptor has a relatively large brain for a dinosaur, and its pack hunts with cunning tactics.

The savage ferocity of Kalimdor's raptors has enthralled the Darkspear trolls since their arrival. They consider a raptor to be the truest form of a hunter, and as such, the tamed Darkspear Raptor is their mount of choice. A tamed raptor is truly a fearsome beast, as a skilled troll is able to channel the reptilian steed's savagery to suit the rider's will. A tamed raptor is also one of the most auspicious signs of status amongst the trolls; many have died trying to tame these swift and deadly hunter beasts, and to possess one indicates great station.

The raptors of Raptor Ridge once joined forces with Rhonin in the struggle against Sintharia at Grim Batol.

Outland raptors


In World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Outland is inhabited by another type of raptor found in the Netherstorm and Blade's Edge Mountains. Their coloration and body shape is quite different from the raptors of Azeroth, as they feature very bright coloration, glowing eyes, and sharp spikes ridging their spine and tail.

Avian raptors


Some lizards remarkable akin to the common raptor also have the ability to fly. The most common example of these are the flying mounts used by the blood elves and high elves known as dragonhawks. The physiology of the current dragonhawks known to exist make them seem to be more akin to a snake or dragon instead of a raptor.

Birds
Raptor is also the name of a group of birds such as the owl (predatory birds).

Types

 * Ravasaur - Large, social raptors dwelling in the Un'Goro Crater.
 * Sunscale Screecher - These raptors will call for assistance, causing other raptors in the vicinity to aggro their attackers. They are common in the Barrens. These raptors appear to have an interest in silver, as seen in the quest.
 * Dragonhawk

Biology

 * Wild raptors come in various colors ranging from pink to turquoise.
 * Raptors more closely resemble the fictionalized dinosaur of Jurassic Park fame in both shape and intellect rather than actual Velociraptors, though wild ones are more sleek than mounts.
 * Level 20 riding raptors are larger than wild raptors.
 * Level 20 riding raptors have a large curved horn protruding horizontally from their forehead.
 * Level 20 riding raptors have small fins growing from the tops of their head and hips.
 * Level 20 riding raptors come in violet with blue stripes, turquoise with yellow stripes, and emerald with yellow stripes.
 * riding raptors are slightly larger than level 20 riding raptors.
 * riding raptors are usually decorated with colorful armor and feathers.
 * riding raptors come in blue, olive, orange, black (PvP reward), and green (Swift Razzashi Raptor).

Traits

 * Raptors are predators.
 * Raptor corpses are skinnable.

As a hunter pet

 * Raptors come in a wide variety of bright colors, making them popular to use. Raptors have the special ability Tear Armor, which can serve as a substitute for abilities like Sunder Armor.
 * Troll hunters will start with a Raptor as a pet.

As non-combat pets
Introduced in patch 3.2, there are 8 new Raptor Mini-Pets. Most of then are fairly hard to obtain. The following list has their name and the location they are obtained in. Note that the mobs marked as rare have a 100% drop rate, but are obtained from rare spawn mobs.


 * Darting Hatchling - Looted from Dart's Nest - Dustwallow Marsh
 * Deviate Hatchling - Dropped by Deviate Guardian, Deviate Ravager (0.1% Drop Rate) - Wailing Caverns
 * Gundrak Hatchling - Dropped by Gundrak Raptor (0.1% Drop Rate) - Zul'Drak
 * Leaping Hatchling - Looted from Takk's Nest - The Barrens
 * Obsidian Hatchling - Sold by Breanni (Unlimited Supply - ) - Dalaran
 * Ravasaur Hatchling- Looted from Ravasaur Matriarch's Nest - Un'Goro Crater
 * Razormaw Hatchling- Looted from Razormaw Matriarch's Nest - Wetlands
 * Razzashi Hatchling- Dropped by Razzashi Raptor (1% Drop Rate)- Zul'Gurub

Raptors as mounts
Raptor are sold by Zjolnir located in south durotar by Sen'jin Village. Samamba the Sen'jin Quartermaster in Icecrown also sells two unique Raptors. There are also several rare raptors all over Azeroth.