Quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus was the largest flying animal to ever exist, about the size of a small plane. It was also one of the last pterosaurs, becoming extinct along with the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous mass extinction. The total body length was about 26 feet, and its wingspan was a massive 39 feet across. Quetzalcoatlus weighed about 180-200 pounds, as much as the average adult man.

Quetzalcoatlus remains have been discovered in the Big Bend National Park in the state of Texas. Similar discoveries, perhaps from different species of Quetzalcoatlus have been discovered in Alberta Canada, Russia, Jordan in the Middle East, and Senegal in Africa.

Quetzalcoatlus belonged to the group of advanced toothless pterosaurs with unusually long stiff necks. The crest on the back of the skull was short, low and thin compared to other pterosaurs, such as Pteranodon. Quetzalcoatlus had a small stump for its tail. It must have used its vast bill, head and crest to help it steer in flight.

The fossils from Quetzalcoatlus were dug from rocks that had formed on land, rather than beneath the ocean as was the case with other pterosaurs. These rocks are indicative of sandy plains and winding rivers possibly several hundred miles from the ocean.

There is debate when it comes to Quetzalcoatlus’ feeding habits. Some researchers believe that the animal fed on fish, hunting them in the oceans like its other relatives such as Pteranodon. Others believe that the large reptile was perfectly suited for terrestrial life, since it was a quadruped while on land. It is possible that the animal feed on smaller dinosaurs, fish from rivers and other similar animals.