Fukuiraptor — artistic reconstruction

Cretaceous

Fukuiraptor

Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis

The catalogue presents Fukuiraptor as a carnivore member of Neovenatoridae that lived during the Cretaceous, between 127.0–121.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 4.2–5.0 m in length and 175–250 kg in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Kitadani Formation, Fukui, Japan. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.

Carnivore127.0–121.0 MaNeovenatoridae

Evidence-backed summary

For Fukuiraptor, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Azuma and Currie (2000).

The PBDB places it in Neovenatoridae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Neovenatoridae.

In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range runs from the Hauterivian to the Aptian.

The PBDB catalogues 2 occurrences, with material from the Kitadani Formation (1) and from the Sebayashi Formation (1). Provenance: Japan.

The catalogue records the holotype as FPDM-V-40-I and the type locality as “Kitadani Formation, Fukui, Japan”.

  • FPDM-V-40-I
  • Kitadani Formation, Fukui, Japan

The catalogue's reference measurements are 4.2–5.0 m in length and 175–250 kg in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.

  • 4.2-5.0 m
  • 175-250 kg

The record gathers 12 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.

Records compiled on 2026-08-08

Where it lived

Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.

Present-day map2 PBDB
KitadaniSebayashi
PBDB occurrences
Map at the time · ~120 Ma2 PBDB
KitadaniSebayashi
PBDB occurrences
Present mean latitude36.1° N
Reconstructed mean latitude45.6° N

Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.

Paleobiology Database · GPlates · CC BY 4.0

Artistic 3D reconstruction

There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.

Physical Specifications

Length
4.2–5.0 m
Weight
175–250 kg
Period
Cretaceous
Time range
127.0–121.0 Ma

Discovery Information

First Discovery
2000
Described by
Yoichi Azuma & Philip Currie

Taxonomic Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Saurischia
Family
Neovenatoridae
Genus
Fukuiraptor
Species
F. kitadaniensis

Paleobiology Database · txn:66356

Data status

Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.

Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.

Type specimen
FPDM-V-40-I
Type locality
Kitadani Formation, Fukui, Japan