Thanatosdrakon
THAN-at-ose-DRAK-on
- deluxe
Native to South America, Thanatosdrakon is a large pterosaur that dates back to the Late Cretaceous period - around 86-89 million years ago. With a wingspan of around 9m, this genus is the largest known pterosaur to have inhabited South America, Thanatosdrakon is notable for its unusual appearance, with a very large head and long neck attached to a comparatively small body.
Discovery
Thanatosdrakon is one of the most recent new paleontological discoveries - the first specimen was unearthed from the Plottier Formation in the Mendoza region of Argentina in 2018. The remains were discovered by university researcher Leonardo Ortiz David and the new genus was soon given the name Thanatosdrakon - an imposing name that translates into English as ‘‘the Dragon of Death’.
Palaeoecology
This genus co-existed with a range of dinosaurs and other wildlife along the rivers and floodplains of the Neuquén region, preying on small dinosaurs, reptiles and fish. Due to its impressive size and ability to fly, it is believed to have been the apex predator of its habitat.
Information
- Era
- Late Cretaceous
- Family
- Azhdarchidae
- Genus
- Thanatosdrakon
- Height
- 8.9M
- Wingspan
- 8.9M
- Weight
- 250Kg
- Diet
- Piscivore, Live Prey
- Egg batch size
- 1 - 2
