Traces of the Dakotaraptor are dated to the very end of the Mesozoic Era, making it one of the last dromaesosaurids in history.

While it possesses wings, these are vestigial and not flight-capable, much like modern large birds such as the ostrich and emu.

Each toe of a Dakotaraptor's foot claw evolved to serve different purposes, making it akin to prehistoric utility knife.

While closely related to the Utahraptor, the Dakotaraptor evolved in a pursuit-type predator with long legs rather than an ambush predator.