Velociraptors were non-sentient avian creatures from the planet Earth. The last surviving members of the species lived on a small island known as Isla Sorna. After stumbling across the planet and the small island, the Sith adept Lord Marcus captured three velociraptors, and genetically combined one with himself. Then, using samples of Geonosian DNA, altered the other two raptors into Geonosian resembling beings. He called this new alien species a Articulan. Only three Articulans existed, including Marcus himself.