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Description
Close up of the Nyctosaurus's head. Taken at Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio on March 8th, 2014.

Nyctosaurus
"Night Lizard"

Range:
* Occurred along the Western Interior Seaway of North America during the Late Cretaceous Period. Fossilized remains have been recovered from the Smoky Hill Chalk deposits in Kansas.

Description:
* Nyctosaurus had a wingspan of about 6.5 feet and was 1.2 feet long.
* One of the largest and most elaborate head crests of any flying reptile; the crest was 3 times longer than the head.
* The jaws were long and very pointed with a needle-sharp tip.
* Differs from its larger cousin Pteranodon by having no wing claws.

Behavior:
* Likely spent most of its time soaring in the air; the lack of a wing claw probably impaired movement on the ground.
* The elaborate crest was probably for species recognition; both genders were crested.

Habitat: Primarily found over open sea except when rearing young.

Food in the wild: Marine fish and invertebrates

Description
Close up of the Nyctosaurus's head. Taken at Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio on March 8th, 2014.

Nyctosaurus
"Night Lizard"

Range:
* Occurred along the Western Interior Seaway of North America during the Late Cretaceous Period. Fossilized remains have been recovered from the Smoky Hill Chalk deposits in Kansas.

Description:
* Nyctosaurus had a wingspan of about 6.5 feet and was 1.2 feet long.
* One of the largest and most elaborate head crests of any flying reptile; the crest was 3 times longer than the head.
* The jaws were long and very pointed with a needle-sharp tip.
* Differs from its larger cousin Pteranodon by having no wing claws.

Behavior:
* Likely spent most of its time soaring in the air; the lack of a wing claw probably impaired movement on the ground.
* The elaborate crest was probably for species recognition; both genders were crested.

Habitat: Primarily found over open sea except when rearing young.

Food in the wild: Marine fish and invertebrates