Raptorex is a genus of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago. It belongs to the group of theropod dinosaurs, characterized by their sharp claws, elongated tails, and carnivorous nature. The name "Raptorex" is derived from the Latin word "raptor," meaning "thief" or "plunderer," and "rex," meaning "king," referring to its similarity to the famous Tyrannosaurus rex.

The first and only fossil of Raptorex was discovered in the Liaoning Province of northeastern China, adding to the wealth of dinosaur discoveries in this fossil-rich region.

Raptorex was a surprisingly small dinosaur compared to its more famous relative, Tyrannosaurus rex. It measured about 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in length and stood around 3 feet (1 meter) tall at the hip, making it significantly smaller than the mighty T. rex, which could reach lengths of over 40 feet. However it is worth noting that the holotype of Raptorex is a juvenile skeleton, indicating that it would be significantly larger as an adult. The only known specimen was estimated to have died at the age of three.

Despite its size, Raptorex exhibited numerous features that closely resembled those of Tyrannosaurus rex. It had a large head, sharp teeth, long legs with powerful muscles, and small, clawed arms - all of which mirror the iconic attributes of its larger cousin.