Pteranodon

Giant Wings and an Amazingly Lightweight Skeleton

Pteranodon’s wingspan could reach up to 9 meters, an enormous size unimaginable for present-day flying animals.

Its wingspan Reached a Maximum of 9m.

Despite its colossal size, its body weight is estimated to have been only about 15 to 25 kg, a light weight that was advantageous for flight.

The secret to this incredible weight reduction lay in its skeleton.
Pteranodon’s bones were hollow and extremely thin, and the bones of its torso—the heaviest part of its body—were minimized to the extreme.

It is believed that Pteranodon relied less on muscle power and primarily used a gliding flight style, catching air currents like a glider.
Due to its body structure, it was not suited for swift movements on land.
Therefore, it is thought to have carefully chosen landing spots and launched itself from high points, such as cliffs near the ocean, to glide.

Distinctive Crest and Diet

Pteranodon is characterized by the long, large crest located at the back of its head.

Characterized by the Long, Large Crest at the Back of Its Head.

There are several theories about the role of this crest, and while it is mainly thought to have been used for mating display, the following theories have also been proposed:

Species Identification

A marker for distinguishing members of its own species.

Thermoregulation

An organ for dissipating body heat.

Flight Balance

A structure used to balance the body around the neck as a pivot point, or to detect air currents during flight.

Its beak was long and sharply pointed, but it had no teeth.
It is believed to have primarily subsisted on fish, and its large jaws, similar to a pelican’s beak, suggest it mostly swallowed its prey whole, which would not have hindered its predation.

It Swallowed Its Prey Whole with a Large Beak Like a Pelican’s.

History of Discovery and Habitat

The first Pteranodon fossil was discovered in the 1870s by American paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh, who excavated numerous wing bones in the Kansas rock layers.
It was initially classified as the toothed Pterodactylus, but the discovery of a toothless skull in 1876 confirmed it as a new genus and it was renamed “Pteranodon.”

It was mainly discovered in North America, but fragments of its fossils have also been found in Japan.
Pteranodon coexisted with its relative Nyctosaurus and the toothed bird Ichthyornis, and is thought to have nested in high places to avoid predators.