Pterodactyls

[Spalea]

" Apex predators from ecosystems containing giant azhdarchids to scale with a giant azhdarchid species, A, the largest known tyrannosaurid, Tyrannosaurus rex from North America, contemporary of Quetzalcoatlus northropi and other large azhdarchids; B, the small Haţeg dromaeosaur Balaur bondoc, contemporary of Hatzegopteryx thambema;. C, the 10 metres (33 ft) wingspan Arambourgiania philadelphiae (note that H. thambema was proportionally more robust than Arambourgiania); D, Homo sapiens, standing height of 1.83 metres (6.0 ft). Date: 2013


Source: Witton, M. P., & Naish, D. (2015). Azhdarchid pterosaurs: water-trawling pelican mimics or “terrestrial stalkers”?. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 60(3), 651-660.

Author: Mark P. Witton "

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[Spalea]

" Somewhere in Nebraska, late 1880s. "

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[Spalea]

" Quetzalcoatlus vs Giraffe


By Mark Witton

The Quetzalcoatlus is said to be one of the largest, if not the largest creature, to ever roam the skies. The name comes from a reference to an Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl, who was known for being a feathered serpent. Known for living in the Late Cretaceous period, the pterodactyloid pterosaur was King of the Skies, spreading its wings to a span of up to 36 feet and standing almost 32 feet. The creature had a very pointy beak, which was used for collecting food, despite the fact that it had no teeth. The fossils were discovered and collected in Big Bend Park in Texas in 1971. It’s said that when on the ground, the animal was a quadruped, and that it had so much power that it could go straight into flight. "

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