In Alberta, remains of a flying dinosaur of the species Cryodrakon boreas were spotted, which is one of the largest flying creatures that lived on Earth, with a height comparable to that of a giraffe and a wingspan of up to 10 meters. The examinations revealed traces of ancient crocodile bites such as Leidyosuchus canadensis, indicating that it was prey in the medieval period. This discovery enhances the understanding of species interactions during the age of dinosaurs.

Crocodile Prey

Brian Pickle, a professor at the University of Reading, explained that giant flying dinosaurs or pterosaurs were part of the diet of crocodiles in the medieval era, as crocodiles periodically ate pterosaurs for about 70 million years, and it is unclear whether the winged dinosaur was alive or dead when bitten by the crocodile, according to Russia Today.

Paleontologists noted that the giant flying dinosaur was sometimes prey for large animals such as crocodiles of the species Leidyosuchus canadensis or Albertochampsa langstoni, as evidenced by the large holes and scratches in the vertebrae of a small dinosaur of the species Cryodrakon boreas, left by the teeth of ancient crocodiles.

The Largest Flying Creatures

Scientists believe that the winged dinosaur is considered one of the largest flying creatures that lived on Earth in ancient times, with a height similar to that of a giraffe, a wingspan of about 10 meters, and a weight of about 150-240 kilograms.

The scientists added, according to the media office of the University of Reading, that the new discoveries of these rare species of giant animals significantly increase the understanding of the interactions between different species of animals in the age of dinosaurs.

It is worth mentioning that the scientists reached this discovery while studying the footprints of the pterosaurs of the species Cryodrakon boreas, which were recently found in Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites located south of Alberta.