What is pteranodontidae?

Pteranodontidae is a family of pterosaurs, also known as “pterodactyls,” that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 85-70 million years ago. They were some of the largest flying animals that ever lived, with a wingspan of up to 33 feet (10 meters) in some species.

Pteranodontids were characterized by their large, toothless beaks, which were used to capture fish in the open ocean. They had long, narrow wings and a relatively short tail compared to other pterosaurs. Their wings were adapted for soaring and gliding, rather than flapping flight, and they likely spent most of their time riding on air currents over the ocean.

The most well-known species in this family is Pteranodon, which is also the largest known pterosaur. Pteranodon fossils have been found in North America, and several different species have been identified based on differences in size and shape of their skulls and beaks. Other members of the family include Nyctosaurus, which had a distinctive, sail-like crest on its skull, and the smaller, more primitive genus Istiodactylus.

Pteranodontids disappeared along with the rest of the pterosaurs and dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. However, their fossils continue to fascinate scientists and the general public alike, offering insight into the evolution and diversity of prehistoric life.