The ancient creature belongs to the Lagerpetidae, a family of early diverging pterosaur precursors. Several well-preserved parts of the Venetoraptor gassenae skeleton were found in the Upper Triassic layers in Brazil, where it became the birthplace of some of the world's oldest dinosaur species.

Venetoraptor gassenae has a combination of unexpected characteristics, including a sharp, raptorial-like beak and enlarged hands with sword-like claws. The raptorial-like beak of Venetoraptor gassenae has been around for about 80 million years before dinosaurs and was used to capture its prey. Having sickle-shaped claws helps Venetoraptor gassenae in climbing trees.