Tupandactylus

pterosaur · ancient reptile · Brazil · flying

Flying without feathers. Tupandactylus was a pterosaur, a flying reptile that ruled the skies millions of years before birds evolved. Unlike birds, pterosaurs had wings made of thin skin stretched between their arm bones and body, making them some of the most skilled fliers of the dinosaur era.

Massive head crest. This creature had an enormous paddle-shaped crest on its head that was almost as long as its entire body. Scientists think males may have had bigger crests than females, using them to show off and attract mates.

Ancient Brazil. Tupandactylus lived in what is now northeastern Brazil during the Early Cretaceous Period, around 110 million years ago. It flew over a tropical landscape filled with early flowering plants and other prehistoric creatures.

One species or two?. Scientists found two different fossils and named them as separate species at first, but now some researchers think they might actually be males and females of the same species with different crest sizes.

Fish-catching hunter. With its long, pointed teeth and streamlined body, Tupandactylus likely hunted fish from the air, swooping down to snatch them from water just like modern fishing birds do today.