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'Pteranodon sternbergi' — the flying fish eater

Object Description

'Pteranodon sternbergi’ belonged to the group Pterosaurs which were carnivorous flying reptiles with skin-covered wings. Its name (ter-ran-oh-don) means ‘winged and toothless’. The fossils of ‘Pteranodon’ were discovered in the USA.

 ‘Pteranodon’ was a carnivore with a 3 metre wing span.  ‘Pteranodon’ lived 90–70 million years ago in the Cretaceous.

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Educational Value Statement

These large pterosaurs had a short tail, a long neck and skull, and a small body that palaeontologists think was partly covered with hair. Palaeontologists think that they mainly ate fish, although it is not clear how they caught them. Pteranodon fossils have been found in areas that would once have been wetlands and coastal lagoons, several with fossilised fish in their stomachs. Pteranodon had good balance and eyesight. It could probably swim, and would have made ‘belly landings’ on the water, holding its wings high to avoid damage.

A striking feature of this species was its large skull with a bony crest. The purpose of this crest is unknown, as aeronautical engineers have rejected the previous theories that it was a rudder or an air brake. The crest seems to have developed with maturity and was larger in males than females, which indicates it may have featured in mating displays. The Pteranodon on display at Melbourne Museum is a female specimen, demonstrating the smaller bony head crest than that of the male of this species.

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