“Death Dragon” with huge wings: scientists have found a giant pterosaur

Researchers from Argentina unearthed the remains of two individuals that belong to the largest species

pterosaurs ever found in SouthAmerica. Two giant flying reptiles were discovered in the Plottier Formation, which is located in the province of Mendoza. Paleontologists called them “dragons of death.”

The wingspans of the two reptiles were approximately 7 m wide and 9 m wide, respectively. Researchers have confirmed that these are azhdarchids, a familypterosaurs, who lived at the end of the Cretaceous period (from 146 to 66 million years ago).

Paleontologist Leonardo D. Ortiz David stands next to a life-size reconstruction of Thanatosdrakon amaru. Image courtesy of Leonardo D. Ortiz David

Scientists have identified pterosaurs as two individualsspecies Thanatosdrakon amaru. This is the only species in the genus. Translated from Greek, the name means “dragon of death.” The study authors said the species name “Amaru” translates as “flying serpent” from the indigenous Quechua language and refers to Amaru, a two-headed Inca deity. 

The researchers determined that two pterosaurs died at the same time, and one was not yet fully grown. But scientists cannot say for sure whether the two animals are part of a family group.

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