Cretaceous
Quetzalcoatlus
Quetzalcoatlus northropi
The catalogue presents Quetzalcoatlus as a carnivore member of Azhdarchidae that lived during the Cretaceous, between 72.1–66.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 10.0–11.0 m wingspan in length and 200–250 kg in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Javelina Formation, Texas, USA. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.
Evidence-backed summary
For Quetzalcoatlus, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Lawson (1975).
The PBDB places it in Quetzalcoatlinae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Azhdarchidae.
- PBDB · taxon.parent
- Azhdarchidae
In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range is the Maastrichtian.
The PBDB catalogues 6 occurrences, with material from the Javelina Formation (5) and from the Black Peaks Formation (1). Provenance: United States.
The catalogue records the holotype as TMM 41450-3 and the type locality as “Javelina Formation, Texas, USA”.
- TMM 41450-3
- Javelina Formation, Texas, USA
The catalogue's reference measurements are 10.0–11.0 m wingspan in length and 200–250 kg in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.
- 10.0-11.0 m wingspan
- 200-250 kg
The record gathers 15 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.
Where it lived
Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.
Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.
Artistic 3D reconstruction
There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.
Physical Specifications
- Length
- 10.0–11.0 m wingspan
- Weight
- 200–250 kg
- Period
- Cretaceous
- Time range
- 72.1–66.0 Ma
Discovery Information
- First Discovery
- 1971
- Described by
- Douglas Lawson
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Pterosauria
- Family
- Azhdarchidae
- Genus
- Quetzalcoatlus
- Species
- Q. northropi
Data status
Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.
Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.
- Type specimen
- TMM 41450-3
- Type locality
- Javelina Formation, Texas, USA