Largest pterosaur

The largest pterosaur – and indeed the largest flying creature ever – was Quetzalcoatlus northropi ("feathered serpent"). About 70 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous, it soared over what is now Texas, Wyoming and New Jersey in the USA, Alberta in Canada, Senegal and Jordan. Although only partial remains have been discovered to date, the latest estimates put its wingspan at 11–13 metres (36–42 feet) and weight in the region of 200–250 kilograms (440–550 pounds).

The first specimen was discovered in Texas, USA, in 1971 by Douglas Lawson (USA) – then a student at the University of Texas.

Some scientists estimate that the wingspan of the Quetzalcoatlus could have been as large as 15 metres (49 feet).