Winged reptiles thrived before dinosaurs

[hunter]

By Mary Halton
Science reporter, BBC News

Palaeontologists have found a new species of pterosaur - the family of prehistoric flying reptiles that includes pterodactyl.

It is about 210 millions years old, pre-dating its known relatives by 65 million years.

Named Caelestiventus hanseni, the species' delicate bones were preserved in the remains of a desert oasis.

The discovery suggests that these animals thrived around the world before the dinosaurs evolved.



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https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45171201

The fossil is so delicate it couldn't be removed from the rock so they used a CT scanner and printed a 3D model.

Gorgeous, isn't she...


This specimen had a wingspan of one and a half meters.

[highplainsdem]

1. K&R

Fascinating find and story.

[left-of-center2012]

2. wingspan of one and a half meters

5 feet

[TheMastersNemesis]

3. Imagine A Pterosaur With A Wingspan Of 70 Feet. 70 Feet. From Ground To Hip Bone 7 Feet.

I have been trying to imagine a pterosaur with such a wing span. There are some fossils with one that had a wingspan of 40 feet. There was a National Geographic special on Youtube that was about pterosaurs. Scientists know how these creatures walked and have studied fossil tracks on ancient sea or lake beds.

Now they do not have a fossil of such a large creature as yet. However, tracks have been discovered of a pterosaur of huge dimensions. Based on the tracks scientists have estimated that this creature had a wing span of about 70 feet.

The head would have had to have been 6 feet long. And it is likely the the creature was NOT a vegetarian.

So when you see a tree that is 70 feet tall just imagine what it would be like to see such a creature flying over you.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Just got done reading

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte. If you have even a passing interest in dinosaurs I highly recommend it. So much has been learned about them in recent years, much with the kind of technology referenced above.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Wonderful. Thank you. n/t