Fun Facts about Dawndraco

Dawndraco kanzai was one of the largest pterosaurs to fly through the skies during the Late Cretaceous period, 86 million years ago. This toothless, long-winged species was a near relative of Pteranodon longiceps.

The primary distinction between Dawndraco and Pteranodon is that the Dawndraco’s snout does not taper to a point like that of the Pteranodon. Dawndraco, on the other hand, had a very similar body morphology to Pteranodon and most likely lived in a similar way. A partial skeleton, including a nearly complete head and jaw, was discovered.

Learn more facts about Dawndraco.

1: Dawndraco quick facts:

Name: Dawndraco (Greek for “Dawn Dragon”); pronounced Dawn-dray-co
When it lived: Late Cretaceous, 86 million years ago
Type of dinosaur: Pterosaur
Location: USA
Habitat: Wetlands and nearby water bodies.
Wingspan/Weight: 6 meters/15kg
Diet: Piscivore
Distinguishing Characteristics: A toothless beak, a short neck, and slender long wings.
Named by: Kellner (2010)

2: How do you pronounce ‘Dawndraco’?

The name Dawndraco  should be pronounced ” Dawn-dray-co.”

3: What does the name Dawndraco mean?

Dawndraco is a combination of Dawn, a sky goddess in the culture of the Iroquois, one of the Native American tribes, and the Latin word draco, which means “dragon.”

Kanza (or Kaw), the Native American tribe from whom the state name Kansas was derived, inspired the specific name.

4: What Did Dawndraco Look Like?

Dawndraco was a pteranodontid, and like all pteranodontids, it had a long beak with upturned tips and a crest on the back of its skull. It is believed that pteranodontids, which had long, thin wings and short necks, flew over the open ocean.

Sources:Wikipedia