Linhai Zhejiang-Wing

    (Cai & Feng, 1994)

    Zhenjiangopterus linhaiensis is a very large pterosaur from Cretaceous China, a relative of Quetzalcoatlus, possibly the largest flying animal of all time.

    Most of Z. linhaiensis consists of its tremendous head, a lightly constructed, hollow chamber of bone that is actually larger then the pterosaur's torso.  To feed, Z. linhaiensis, will wade out into the shallows of the sea on four, long legs, and scoop up great mouthfuls of water in its fantastical maw.  It's throat sack bulging, the pterosaur will then lift its head high and disgorge the water back through its open mouth, carefully straining the water through its beak to capture any fish or other small animals trapped in its mouth (Peters).

    Z. linhaiensis's nostrils are located far up on its face, allowing this pterosaur to wade into very deep water, but still continue to breathe.
 

Other websites pertinent to this article:

• John Conway's Zhenjiangopterus (great skeletal reconstruction)
•     Zhenjiangopterus drawing
• T. Mike Keesey's Zhenjiangopterus page