From WoWWiki

There are two types of creatures called raptors in Warcraft universe.

Contents 1 Azeroth Raptors 2 Outland Raptors 3 Examples 4 Biology 5 Traits 6 As A Hunter Pet 7 Epic Mount

Azeroth Raptors

A large, aggressive reptile that stands upright on two large hind legs similar to a kangaroo. 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 a beast. They wear feathers and beads, and in the Barrens (where the smartest raptors are said to dwell) they have a village of mud huts decorated with bone ornaments called the Raptor Grounds.

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 Troll 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.[1]

Native to the plains of Durotar, raptors are savage and fierce predators of Kalimdor. The Darkspear jungle trolls were instantly impressed by the ferocity of these creatures, and set about taming the beasts. 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. The talons count as one attack. A raptor has a relatively large brain for a dinosaur, and its pack hunts with cunning tactics. Raptors are the fierce troll mounts, common in many villages. Taming a raptor is a sign of prestige among trolls.^{HPG 217}

Outland Raptors

In the expansion set, Outland is inhabited by another type of raptor found in 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.

Examples

• Ravasaurs - Large, social raptors dwelling in the Un'Goro Crater.
• Sunscale Screechers - These raptors can screech for assistance, causing other raptors in the vicinity to aggro their opponents. They are common in the Barrens. These raptors appear to have an interest in silver.

Biology

• Wild raptors come in various colors ranging from pink to turquoise.
• Riding raptors seem more muscular than the ordinary wild raptors, their heads are less sleek. Both the wild raptors and mount raptors are modeled off of Jurassic Park's depiction of a velociraptor, which is nothing like the raptors of reality (not 'as smart as dolphins or chimpanzees', different posture, etc.). Though it is important to note that a possible species found in Utah may be very close to that of the Hollywood styling of Jurassic Park.
• Level 40 riding raptors are larger than wild raptors.
• Level 40 riding raptors have a large curved horn protruding horizontally from their forehead.
• Level 40 riding raptors have small fins growing from the tops of their head and hips.
• Level 40 riding raptors come in Violet with Blue stripes, Turquoise with Yellow stripes and Emerald with Yellow stripes.
• Epic riding raptors are slightly larger than level 40 riding raptors.
• Epic riding raptors are usually decorated with colorful armor and feathers.
• Epic riding raptors come in Blue, Olive, Orange, Black (PvP reward) and Green (Swift Razzashi Raptor).

Traits

• Raptors are hostile predators.
• Raptor corpses are skinnable.

HP	Armor	Damage
-5%	+3%	+10%
Diet as a pet
Special abilities as a pet

As A Hunter Pet

• The highest tamable Raptor currently in game is the level 69 Scythetooth Raptor that is found in Eco-Dome Farfield, the northern most Eco-dome in Netherstorm.
• As of patch 2.2.0 Dash is trainable on all raptors, giving rise to their popularity as a PVP based pet.

Epic Mount

The epic raptor is buyable in Sen'jin Village. The PVP raptor is the Black War Raptor. The Swift Razzashi Raptor, a prized epic mount, is an extremely rare drop from Bloodlord Mandokir of Zul'Gurub.

The raptor dropped from the blood lord is sage green on top, and a more yellow green on the bottom. It has red armor and teal feathers to accent it. It is also a .01% drop so as stated above, it is extremely rare.

Hunter Pets and Pet abilities
Beasts	Bat • Bear • Boar • Carrion bird • Cat • Crab • Crocolisk • Dragonhawk • Gorilla • Hyena • Nether ray • Owl • Raptor • Ravager • Scorpid • Serpent • Spider • Spore bat • Tallstrider • Turtle • Warp stalker • Wind serpent • Wolf
Active abilities	Bite • Charge • Claw • Cower • Dash • Dive • Fire Breath • Furious Howl • Gore • Growl • Lightning Breath • Poison Spit • Prowl • Scorpid Poison • Screech • Shell Shield • Thunderstomp • Warp
Passive abilities	Avoidance • Cobra Reflexes • Great Stamina • Natural Armor • Arcane Resistance • Fire Resistance • Frost Resistance • Nature Resistance • Shadow Resistance
Further reading	Rare pets • Happiness • Training points