Quetzalcoatlus

pterosaur · flying reptile · cretaceous · giant

Massive flying reptile. Quetzalcoatlus was one of the largest flying animals ever to exist, with a wingspan comparable to small aircraft. It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago.

Found in Texas. Scientists discovered the first bones of Quetzalcoatlus in 1971 in Texas, USA. The fossils included wing fragments that helped scientists understand how this giant creature flew.

Named after a sky god. Its name comes from Quetzalcōātl, an Aztec god depicted as a feathered serpent of the sky. The species name honors Jack Northrop, who designed tailless aircraft.

Multiple species discovered. Paleontologist Douglas Lawson found remains of a second Quetzalcoatlus species between 1972 and 1974. In 2021, scientists officially named this second species Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni in his honor.