Velociraptor (IPA: /vɨˈlɒsɨræptɚ/; meaning 'swift thief') is a genus of romaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 83 to 70 Ma (million years ago) during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. The type species, V. mongoliensis, is the only species recognized today, although others have been assigned in the past. Fossils of this species have been discovered in both Inner and Outer Mongolia in central Asia.