Quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus northropi

Quetzalcoatlus was a pterosaur— a flying reptile— that soared over coastlines and lakes using long wings.

Habitat: Mesozoic coastlines and lakes

Appearance

The Quetzalcoatlus has an unbelievably long neck and beak, atop a relatively small body compared to its wings. Its colossal leathery wings, likely in shades of brown or grey, made it the largest creature to ever fly, creating a distinctive silhouette unlike any modern bird.

KingdomAnimalia

Quetzalcoatlus

Interesting facts

Despite its immense size, Quetzalcoatlus weighed less than a horse, thanks to its lightweight bones.

Its name means "feathered serpent" in Aztec, though it was a reptile and had no feathers!

Its wingspan could stretch wider than a small airplane, making it the largest flying animal ever!

Scientists believe it may have walked on all fours on the ground, like a giant, giraffe-sized bat.

Special abilities

Quetzalcoatlus has a very long, stiff neck and pointed beak that helps them snatch small prey from the ground or water.

Quetzalcoatlus has hollow bones and an advanced air-sac system that helps them stay light enough for powered flight.

Quetzalcoatlus has strong muscles attached to its breastbone that help them launch into the air with powerful wing beats.

Measurements & details

Estimated Length: 3-4 m
Estimated Weight: 70-250 kg
Era: Cretaceous Period (Late Mesozoic Era)
Extinct Millions Years Ago: 66

Diet & Feeding

This giant ate a varied diet of small animals and scavenged carrion from the land.

Primary Foods

Fish
Small dinosaurs
Carrion
Lizards
Turtles

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Alamosaurus

Alamosaurus sanjuanensis

Scavenged carcasses of these giant sauropods.

hunts

Champsosaurus

Champsosaurus natator

Preyed on fish and small aquatic reptiles.

eaten by

Deinosuchus

Deinosuchus hatcheri

Juvenile Quetzalcoatlus may have been prey for giant crocodiles.

Traits

Ancient

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Fossil

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