Microsoft Dinosaurs
Cearadactylus
Cearadactylus
Cearadactylus

see-AR-ah-DAK-til-us name means “Ceará-finger”

A jagged-toothed sky hunter that could outspan two bald eagles wing-tip to wing-tip.

Cearadactylus had a wingspan of almost thirteen and a half feet—twice as big as a bald eagle! Its compact body and well-balanced wings enabled it to dive through the air and snag unsuspecting fish in its toothy beak. The long, pointed beak of Cearadactylus was packed with curved, jagged teeth, which prevented its jaws from closing completely. Perhaps this allowed the pterosaur to securely hold its prey while letting water and silt strain out.

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Shrinking Wingspans

Shrinking Wingspans

Most modern flying creatures are relatively small. The largest known flyer today is the albatross, with a wingspan of up to eleven feet, six inches.

Modern albatrossModern albatross
Ancient giantsIn prehistoric times, many pterosaurs with giant wingspreads soared through the skies. Quetzalcoatlus, for example, had a wingspan as large as a small plane!

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Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements