Pteranodon

Overview

Pteranodon was a large, toothless pterosaur that lived near the Western Interior Seaway in Late Cretaceous North America. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles, not dinosaurs. Its long wing finger supported a membrane wing.

“Some Pteranodon specimens preserve fish remains in the stomach area, supporting the idea that it fed on fish.”

Key facts

Size & simulator stats

Some males had an estimated wingspan of about 6 m; females were generally smaller. Wingspan estimates vary among fossils.

Length

6 m

Height

2 m

Weight

0.0 t

See how Pteranodon measures up in the sourced size comparison chart.

Habitat

Coastal environments around the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway; many fossils are from Kansas.

Coastal areas around the Western Interior Seaway in North America; many fossils come from Kansas.

Diet

Likely caught fish at the water surface. Its toothless beak distinguishes it from many other pterosaurs.

Likely ate fish and other marine prey. Pteranodon was toothless, and fossils are associated with marine deposits.

Fossils & discovery

First described from Fossil record (Multiple fossil formations).Some Pteranodon specimens preserve fish remains in the stomach area, supporting the idea that it fed on fish.

Research sources

• American Museum of Natural History: Pteranodon
• Natural History Museum: Pterosaurs

Sources checked on September 28, 2026 by the Dinosaurs Names Editorial Team. Editorial policy

Gallery

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