The Velociraptor was a Dromaeosaurid; "dromaeo"="running," "saurid"="reptile." Running Reptiles. The Dromaeosaurids all shared two anatomical peculiarities: a femur that is comparatively short to the shank, a feature typical of creatures with an incredibly fast run. The second peculiarity is the awesome, sickle-shaped claw on the foot of each hind leg, that could flex up and down 180 degrees. The versatile dagger was used, it is believed, to perch on still-living prey by digging into its flesh, so that the claws and mouth might be freed up for the kill. The Velociraptor skull is identifiable by its narrow, graceful snout, looking something like an amalgam of a crocodile and a greyhound.