CretaceousCarnivoreGiant

Quetzalcoatlus

kwet-zal-coh-AHT-lus

"feathered serpent"

Overview

Quetzalcoatlus was among the largest flying animals ever known, a giant azhdarchid pterosaur of Late Cretaceous North America. With a wingspan around 10 metres, it stalked the plains on all fours, possibly hunting small vertebrates or scavenging.

Vital Statistics

Length

10 m

Height

5 m

Weight

250 kg

Est. Speed

80 km/h

Discovered

1971

Named by

Douglas Lawson

Countries Discovered

USA

Interesting Facts

Wingspan of roughly 10–11 m, making it the largest known flying creature.

Stood as tall as a giraffe when grounded.

Likely fed by terrestrial stalking rather than over-water skim feeding.

Named after the Aztec feathered-serpent god Quetzalcoatl.

Closest Relatives

HatzegopteryxArambourgianiaZhejiangopteryx