Pterosauria
Nyctosaurus gracilis
Nyctosaurus gracilisEXTINCT | 4 POINTS
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Nyctosaurus means “night lizard.” It has been found in the Niobrara Formation of the mid-western United States. Nyctosaurus possessed an extraordinarily large antler like crest, which is surprising given how small the pterosaur was.
Tapejara wellnhoferi
Tapejara wellnhoferiEXTINCT | 4 POINTS
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Tapejara means “old being” and has been found in Northeast Brazil. The tip of its lower jaw is turned downward. It may have been a fruit eater, or skimmed the surface of the ocean for fish.
Quetzalcoatlus northropi
Quetzalcoatlus northropiEXTINCT | 7 POINTS
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Named after both the Aztec air god Quetzalcoatl and the Northrop Corporation, this Texan pterosaur had a wingspan of roughly 33 feet (the size of a 2 person airplane) and a height of 16-18 feet!
Dimorphodon macronyx
Dimorphodon macronyxEXTINCT | 5 POINTS
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Dimorphodon macronyx was discovered near Lyme Regis, England, on what is now called the Jurassic Coast. Dimorphodon means “two-form tooth,” which refers to its two distinct types of teeth. Macronyx refers to its large claws.
Pteranodon longiceps
Pteranodon longicepsEXTINCT | 5 POINTS
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Pteranodon is one of the most famous pterosaurs, having appeared in movies such as King Kong. Its name means “wing without tooth” and its fossils have been found in Western Kansas. Scientists think it may have dived for fish.
Tupuxuara leonardii
Tupuxuara leonardiiEXTINCT | 5 POINTS
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Tupuxuara means “long crested” and has been found along ancient South American coasts. Scientists are not sure if they ate fruit or fish.