Quetzalcoatlus had a thinner, longer neck than Hatzegopteryx. Quetzalcoatlus also had a possibly longer and more narrow skull than Hatzegopteryx. Quetzalcoatlus fossils were found in Texas. This is the tallest known flying animal. It may have weighed over 227 kg. It had a huge 40 ft wingspan once estimated at 52 ft. Quetzalcoatlus was 18 ft tall! This spectacular Pterosaur was named for the Aztec feathered serpent god. Paleontologists think Pterosaurs had fuzzy covering.
Hatzegopteryx lived on Hațeg Island 66 million years ago. Experts know one 2.5 meter long skull species from Romania. It was an apex predator with a gigantic, heavily-built and elongated head and neck and small body with powerful wings.
The skull of Quetzalcoatlus was originally estimated at almost 3 m in length. Later estimates reduced it to less than the largest Quetzalcoatlus species. Initial estimations put the Hatzegopteryx humerus bigger than Quetzalcoatlus but distortions after deposition likely caused this. So Hatzegopteryx had no larger wingspan than the now generally estimated at 10 to 11 m Quetzalcoatlus.
What does Hatzegopteryx mean?
Hatzegopteryx is a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur found in Romania. It lived during the Late Cretaceous, 66 million years ago. The name means “Hațeg basin wing”. It is known from skull and arm bones. These fossils show it was one of the largest pterosaurs, with a 10 to 12 meter wingspan. It was the apex predator on Hațeg Island. The skeleton suggests it could attack large prey. The big jaws could open wide to swallow large food chunks. It likely flew but did most hunting on the ground. Little is known about the lifecycle. Like other pterosaurs, it started life in leathery eggs. It had an unusual crest on its head and thick neck bones. This indicates a short, heavy neck compared to related pterosaurs. It shared its habitat with dwarf dinosaurs, smaller than mainland species. But Hatzegopteryx grew very large due to its apex status. It remains a remarkable prehistoric flying reptile that captures the imagination of scientists.
What did the Hatzegopteryx hunt?
Hatzegopteryx was probably a carnivore. It may have fed on small creatures or used its beak like a stork to scoop up fish.
Prehistoric Planet depicts Hatzegopteryx with thick, fluffy pycnofiber coat streaked with brown and black stripes, with a short tail tuft. Hatzegopteryx hunted prey smaller than itself as pterosaurs had delicate necks. Hatzegopteryx is an exception. Without large theropods to compete with, it might have developed aggressive hunting. It had size to take large prey. Research shows it had muscles to withstand force. So it was capable of stabbing sizable dinosaurs.
Initially scientists thought it a scavenger but its bill did not support this. Hatzegopteryx stalked terrestrial prey with flight ability but hunted on ground. Due to limited fossils, its lifecycle is unknown. Pterosaurs likely had lifecycles similar to dinosaurs – starting life in leathery eggs and short parental care.
Hatzegopteryx was carnivorous, at top of Hateg Island’s Cretaceous food chain. Its robust skeleton indicates it might have attacked large prey.
Hatzegopteryx was approximately 18 feet high with 40 foot wingspan. It weighed around 250 pounds and had unusual crest on head. What’s unusual is it lived on Hatzeg Island of “dwarf” dinosaurs. This insular dwarfism caused island dinosaurs to be small. The island was ruled by Hatzegopteryx – as tall as elephant and heavy build with massive stabbing beak. It was a powerful flying animal reigning over domain with iron wings.
Hatzegopteryx was found in Romania’s late Maastrichtian era Densuş Ciula Formation outcrop. Its name means “Hațeg basin wing”. The Greek “pteryx” means wings. Its name stems from Greek for monster – fitting for flying beast with nine foot skull. By size comparisons with other pterosaurs, Hatzegopteryx’s skull measured 9.8 feet – one of largest in a non-marine animal. Its stout, robust skull bones indicate strong muscular attachment.
The term Hatzeg denotes Transylvania’s Hateg basin where fossils were exclusively found. Pteryx is Greek for wing. Thambema was Greek for monster – denoting its huge size. It lived around 65 million years ago in late Cretaceous period. Damaged humerus and partial skull were discovered. A 38.5 cm femur was also found and assumed to be Hatzegopteryx’s. It was a Pterosauria order flying reptile. Its Romanian basin fossil discovery in late 19th century gives its name. It lived around 70 million years ago, making it among largest pterosaurs. With small airplane-sized wingspan, it was among largest flying creatures ever.
What are some interesting facts about Hatzegopteryx?
Hatzegopteryx was one of the largest pterosaurs to ever live. It stands 15 feet tall. Hatzegopteryx is in fact, a pterosaur, a reptile with wings that, has to keep tightly folded. It was the size of a giraffe.
Hatzegopteryx is known from the Late Cretaceous deposits in Transylvania, Romania. It is known only from the type species, Hatzegopteryx thambema, named in 2002 based on parts of the skull and humerus. The neck vertebrae was 2.952 millimetres long. Meanwhile, the same vertebrae in the similarly giant Arambourgiania measured 2.652 metres. This indicates that the neck of Hatzegopteryx is about 50–60% the length expected for its size. The neck was flexible, and could withstand strong bending forces.
The name Hatzegopteryx means “Hateg basin wing.” The specific name thambema means “monster.” It lived on Hatzeg Island with many “dwarf-sized” dinosaurs due to insular dwarfism. The wingspan was about 39 feet and approximately 18 feet tall weighing around 250 pounds. More fossils may be discovered to give scientists a better idea. It may have fed on small creatures or fish.
During the Late Cretaceous seas covered much of Europe. Common azhdarchid traits are elongated heads, long necks, tiny bodies, and flight. Researchers concluded lightweight construction enabling flight. They estimated size by comparing its humerus fragment with Quetzalcoatlus.
Hatzegopteryx was a pterosaur, not a dinosaur. It lived 70.6 to 66 million years ago in Europe. The first fossil discovered in 2002. It lived in a marine environment. Scientists estimated eating habits like similar pterosaurs.