Nyctosaurus is an extinct genus of pterodactyloid pterosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 million years ago, in what is now North America. Several species are known within this genus, the best known being Nyctosaurus gracilis.
This pterosaur was characterized by its distinctive fan-shaped crest on the back of its skull, which was formed by bony extensions of the neck vertebrae. This crest, which was larger in males than in females, gave it a unique appearance and probably played a role in visual display during the mating season and in intraspecific communication.
Nyctosaurus was a relatively small pterosaur, with a wingspan that could reach up to 2 meters. It had a light, streamlined body, adapted for active flight over the inland seas that covered much of North America during the Cretaceous. His wings were made of a membrane of skin supported by an elongated fourth finger, which extended from the end of his hand to his side.
It is believed that Nyctosaurus was a marine animal that fed mainly on fish and other aquatic organisms, as its anatomy suggests that it was an agile flier and specialized in capturing prey in flight. Its ability to glide over the water surface would have allowed it to effectively detect and capture prey while flying over coastal seas.
Nyctosaurus fossils have been found in marine deposits, supporting the idea that it spent most of its time above the ocean. Its presence in North America suggests that it was a common inhabitant of the region's inland seas during the Late Cretaceous, forming part of the marine ecosystems of the time.
Approximate measurements of the Nyctosaurus:
This pterosaur was characterized by its distinctive fan-shaped crest on the back of its skull, which was formed by bony extensions of the neck vertebrae. This crest, which was larger in males than in females, gave it a unique appearance and probably played a role in visual display during the mating season and in intraspecific communication.
Nyctosaurus was a relatively small pterosaur, with a wingspan that could reach up to 2 meters. It had a light, streamlined body, adapted for active flight over the inland seas that covered much of North America during the Cretaceous. His wings were made of a membrane of skin supported by an elongated fourth finger, which extended from the end of his hand to his side.
It is believed that Nyctosaurus was a marine animal that fed mainly on fish and other aquatic organisms, as its anatomy suggests that it was an agile flier and specialized in capturing prey in flight. Its ability to glide over the water surface would have allowed it to effectively detect and capture prey while flying over coastal seas.
Nyctosaurus fossils have been found in marine deposits, supporting the idea that it spent most of its time above the ocean. Its presence in North America suggests that it was a common inhabitant of the region's inland seas during the Late Cretaceous, forming part of the marine ecosystems of the time.
Approximate measurements of the Nyctosaurus:
- Scale 1:20 - Complete
- Length 73mm
- Height 62mm
- Wingspan 100 mm
- 1:10 Scale - Complete
- Length 145mm
- Height 124mm
- Wingspan 200 mm
