CretaceousCarnivoreLarge
Pteranodon
teh-RAN-oh-don
"wing without tooth"
Overview
Pteranodon was a large pterosaur that soared over the Late Cretaceous seas of North America. Toothless, with a long crest and a wingspan of up to 7 metres, it likely plunge-dived or surface-skimmed for fish, much like a modern pelican.
Vital Statistics
Length
7 m
Height
0.6 m
Weight
20 kg
Est. Speed
50 km/h
Discovered
1876
Named by
Othniel Charles Marsh
Countries Discovered
USA
Interesting Facts
Largest toothless pterosaur of its time, with wingspans reaching 7 m.
Males bore taller, more elaborate head crests, likely for display.
Diet consisted mainly of fish caught over the Western Interior Seaway.
Despite popular myth, it was a capable quadrupedal walker on land and a strong powered flier.
Closest Relatives
NyctosaurusPterodactylusGeosternbergia