Pterodactyls Were Actually Poor Flying Machines

It now seems that, pterodactyls, the scourge of the skies between 251 and 65 million years ago, were having difficulties leaving the ground, let alone fly and rapidly maneuver in mid-flight. Scientists at the University of Tokyo uncovered evidence that the enormous wings the bird had were of no practical use, as they could never flap strong enough to generate the lift-off force needed to leave the ground.

 

According to professor Katsufumi Sato from the University, it would have been virtually impossible for the massive pterodactyl to safely fly, given the fact that it weighed almost 250 kilograms. His researches show that the maximum size any bird can have is of about 40 kilograms in order to stay aloft. Otherwise, the animal wouldn't be able to maneuver and even use dynamic soaring, a flying technique that implies using air stream for lift, without the use of wings, to stay airborne.

 

After studying 28 birds in the Southern Ocean, professor Soto uncovered that the largest soaring birds that live today, including the wandering albatross, weigh a maximum of 22 kg (46lbs). Previous investigations into the fossilized remains of pterodactyls reveled that their overall body architecture was quite similar to that of modern albatrosses.

 

The main difference between them is the weight and the wingspan. A pterosaur was more than ten times heavier than an albatross, and had a wingspan of about 15 meters, which, in theory, should have allowed it to take advantage of the thermal winds blowing on the surface of our planet millions of years ago.

 

Other theories argue that pterodactyls walked great distances on foot, as proved by their feet and the markings found near the remains. Some, however, say that, due to their wide wings, it would have been very difficult for the bird to resist strong air currents and actually remain on the ground while they blew.

 

In any case, Sato's theory was not well received at the Third Annual Biologging Science Symposium at Stanford University. Many dinosaur enthusiasts were reluctant to accept that their favorite animal was unable to do the very things it became famous for, which is to actually fly.