{"product_id":"hatzegopteryx-thambema-2","title":"Hatzegopteryx thambema","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"552\" data-start=\"0\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"44\" data-start=\"3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eHatzegopteryx thambema\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was one of the largest known pterosaurs and a dominant predator in the Late Cretaceous island ecosystems of Europe. It lived approximately 72 to 66 million years ago on Hațeg Island, an archipelago in the ancient Tethys Sea, now part of the Transylvania region of Romania. This animal belonged to the azhdarchid group, giant pterosaurs characterized by elongated skulls, extremely long necks, and large wingspans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1254\" data-start=\"554\"\u003eSize estimates suggest that \u003cstrong data-end=\"611\" data-start=\"594\"\u003eHatzegopteryx\u003c\/strong\u003e could reach a wingspan of approximately 10–11 meters, with a relatively compact body supported by robust limbs. Unlike many other azhdarchids known primarily for their very slender bones, this pterosaur possessed a remarkably robust skeleton, especially in the skull and cervical vertebrae. The skull was enormous and proportionally very wide for a pterosaur of this group, possibly exceeding 2.5 meters in length. Its cranial bones were thick and reinforced, indicating a considerable capacity to withstand bite forces greater than those of other azhdarchids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1719\" data-start=\"1256\"\u003eThe neck was formed by highly developed cervical vertebrae, with reinforced internal structures that allowed for a combination of lightness and remarkable mechanical strength. This adaptation enabled it to support the heavy skull while maintaining the mobility necessary to capture prey. The beak was long, toothless, and probably covered by a sharp, horny sheath that served as a tool for capturing and manipulating prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2249\" data-start=\"1721\"\u003eThe wings consisted of a membrane supported by an enormously elongated fourth finger, typical of pterosaurs. The wing structure and bone proportions suggest that \u003cstrong data-end=\"1925\" data-start=\"1908\"\u003eHatzegopteryx\u003c\/strong\u003e was capable of long-distance gliding, taking advantage of thermals over the Cretaceous island landscapes. When moving on land, it adopted a quadrupedal posture, supporting itself on its forelimbs, which were transformed into folded wings, and its relatively strong hind legs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2773\" data-start=\"2251\"\u003eHațeg Island was known for its unique fauna, dominated by dwarf dinosaur species, a consequence of its isolation. Within this ecological context, \u003cstrong data-end=\"2450\" data-start=\"2424\"\u003eHatzegopteryx thambema\u003c\/strong\u003e likely played the role of a terrestrial apex predator, in addition to its flying capabilities. Unlike other pterosaurs more specialized in catching fish, this azhdarchid would have acted as an opportunistic hunter, traversing plains and open woodlands and capturing small to medium-sized terrestrial prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"3310\" data-start=\"2775\"\u003ePotential prey included dwarf herbivorous dinosaurs like \u003cstrong data-end=\"2892\" data-start=\"2851\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMagyarosaurus dacus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e , small ornithopods, and other vertebrates that inhabited the island ecosystem. Thanks to its large size, powerful skull, and long, mobile neck, \u003cstrong data-end=\"3059\" data-start=\"3042\"\u003eHatzegopteryx\u003c\/strong\u003e would have been able to take down prey relatively large for a pterosaur, behaving ecologically similarly to a giant stork or prehistoric marabou stork that dominated the island's landscapes during the last few million years of the Cretaceous period.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:35 Scale Complete\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 104 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 138 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 62 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWingspan 300 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComplete 1:20 Scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 181 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 241 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 108 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWingspan 525 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"VFBPaleoart","offers":[{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54790192955660,"sku":"DC-1396-135-SINI","price":62.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54790192988428,"sku":"DC-1396-135-IMPRI","price":69.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54790193021196,"sku":"DC-1396-135-PINTA","price":189.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54790193053964,"sku":"DC-1396-120-SINI","price":134.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Primed","offer_id":54790193086732,"sku":"DC-1396-120-IMPRI","price":146.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54790193119500,"sku":"DC-1396-120-PINTA","price":296.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Hatzegopteryx_21.jpg?v=1778570675","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/hatzegopteryx-thambema-2","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}