A 76-million-year-old pterosaur fossil found in Alberta, Canada, has provided a rare glimpse into the eating habits of these flying reptiles. The discovery, published in The Journal of Paleontology, reveals a puncture wound on the neck vertebra of the young creature that was likely made by an ancient crocodile ancestor.
The fossil, belonging to the species Cryodrakon boreas, shows signs of being scavenged or attacked by a predator. A tooth mark consistent with circular-shaped teeth found in crocodilians is present on the bone. Paleontologists believe that a crocodile relative, which lived during the Cretaceous period, was responsible for the bite.
The finding provides insight into the feeding habits of pterosaurs, which were preyed upon by various predators. Only four fossils have been discovered that suggest dinosaurs occasionally dined on these creatures. The discovery of this young Cryodrakon boreas, with a wingspan of only six feet, sheds light on the vulnerable state of juvenile pterosaurs.
The team of paleontologists who identified the fossil and analyzed its findings suggests that an ambush may have occurred or the young pterosaur was simply a “free lunch” for a hungry crocodilian. The study provides a unique window into the ancient ecosystem and highlights the diversity of predators in the Cretaceous period.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/science/pterosaur-fossil-bite-croc.html