Prehistoric reptile with a 32-foot wingspan and 550lbs body was ‘one of the biggest flying creatures EVER’ and fed on lizards, mammals and baby dinosaurs
- Cryodrakon boreas lived during Cretaceous period around 77 million years ago
- Its remains were initially thought to be those of the Quetzalcoatlus from Texas
- But it has now been revealed to belong to an entirely new species of pterosaur
A newly identified species of pterosaur is one of the largest flying creatures to have ever existed, with a 32-foot wingspan and 550lbs body.
The Cryodrakon boreas, from the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs which are often incorrectly labelled ‘pterodactyls’, was a flying reptile that lived during the Cretaceous period around 77 million years ago.
Its remains were discovered 30 years ago in Alberta, Canada, but palaeontologists had assumed they belonged to an already known species of pterosaur discovered in Texas and named Quetzalcoatlus.
But a study from the Queen Mary University of London, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, has revealed the remains are actually that of a new species, the first pterosaur to be discovered in Canada.
The Cryodrakon boreas is one of the largest flying creatures to have ever existed, with a 32-foot wingspan and 550lbs body
Its remains were discovered 30 years ago in Alberta, Canada, but palaeontologists had assumed they belonged to an already known species of pterosaur
Dr David Hone, lead author of the study, said: ‘This is a cool discovery, we knew this animal was here but now we can show it is different to other azhdarchids and so it gets a name.’
The remains consist of a skeleton that has part of the wings, legs, neck and a rib.
A recent study from the Queen Mary University of London, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, has revealed the remains are actually that of a new species
The remains, consisting of a skeleton that has part of the wings, legs, neck and a rib were found in Canada
The main skeleton is from a young animal with a wingspan of about 16 feet but one giant neck bone from another specimen suggests an adult creature would have had a wingspan of around 32 feet.
This makes the Cryodrakon boreas comparable in size to other giant azhdarchids including the Texan Quetzalcoatlus which could reach 34 feet in wingspan and weighed around 550lbs.
They were carnivorous and predominantly predated on small animals which would likely include lizards, mammals and even baby dinosaurs.
Dr Hone added: ‘It is great that we can identify Cryodrakon as being distinct to Quetzalcoatlus as it means we have a better picture of the diversity and evolution of predatory pterosaurs in North America.’
Unlike most pterosaur groups, azhdarchids are broadly considered to be animals that were adapted for, and lived in, inland environments.
This is despite their ability to cross oceanic distances in flight.
Despite their large size and a distribution across North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, few azhdarchids are known from more than fragmentary remains.
The Cryodrakon, on the other hand, has very well preserved bones and includes multiple individuals of different sizes.
