A new study led by researchers at the University of Leicester shows that some of the largest flying reptiles, pterosaurs, spent far more time on the ground than scientists previously believed. By examining fossilized footprints attributed to Quetzalcoatlus, a giant with a wingspan up to 10 meters, researchers have enriched our understanding of how these creatures lived alongside dinosaurs. The findings help Thai readers connect global paleontology with Southeast Asia’s own ancient landscape, enriching Earth history education in Thailand.
The discovery matters for scientists and the public alike. Pterosaurs have long been imagined as airborne monarchs of the Mesozoic skies, but this research reveals they were capable and perhaps frequent visitors to terrestrial habitats as well. For Thai educators and enthusiasts, the study offers a vivid example of evolutionary adaptation and ecological diversity, highlighting how ancient life spanned continents, including what is now Southeast Asia.
Using 3D modelling, comparative anatomy, and careful analysis of trackway patterns, the team identified footprints from several pterosaur groups. The most striking evidence concerns Quetzalcoatlus: tracks found in ancient coastal and inland regions indicate these animals traveled long distances and often walked on land. A doctoral researcher from the university’s Centre for Palaeobiology and Biosphere Evolution explained that footprints let scientists study pterosaurs in their natural environments. They reveal not only movement and habitat but also daily activities in ecosystems that no longer exist.
The study suggests pterosaur trackways began appearing more frequently on dry land around 160 million years ago and continued until the Cretaceous mass extinction about 66 million years ago. This challenges the view of pterosaurs as purely aerial specialists and points to sophisticated adaptations for both flight and terrestrial locomotion.
In addition to Quetzalcoatlus, the researchers linked tracks to ctenochasmatoids—pterosaurs with long jaws and needle-like teeth. Their footprints mostly appear in coastal layers, implying wading and foraging along muddy shores and shallow lagoons, feeding on small fish. Another group, dsungaripterids, left tracks consistent with strong limbs and beak structures suited for crushing hard-shelled prey. These patterns echo feeding strategies seen in some modern birds and illustrate a deep evolutionary continuity in diet and behavior.
Experts emphasize ichnology—the study of footprints—as crucial for reconstructing prehistoric life. Tracks provide insights into how pterosaurs moved, behaved, and interacted with their environments, offering information that bones alone cannot reveal.
For Thailand, where dinosaur and pterosaur fossils have been found in Isaan’s Kalasin and Khon Kaen provinces, the findings offer a compelling teaching tool. The Sirindhorn Museum in Kalasin showcases regional fossils and life-size models, inviting visitors to imagine how Isaan’s ancient landscapes related to the global story of pterosaur life. The possibility that these flying reptiles walked and foraged on land invites renewed examination of local fossils and sedimentary layers.
Historically, pterosaurs have been portrayed as awkward ground-dwellers. The new evidence presents a more dynamic picture of versatile beings at home on both land and air. This challenges public imagination and scientific narratives, with implications for museum displays and educational materials across Thailand.
Looking ahead, researchers’ use of 3D modelling and digital analysis sets a standard for future work on ancient trackways. As methods advance, similar approaches could be applied to newly found or re-examined tracks in Asia, potentially confirming or refining theories about pterosaur diversity and behavior in the region. Thai universities and museums might partner with international teams to develop fieldwork projects, exhibitions, and STEM curricula informed by these findings.
For Thai readers, the research is more than an international headline. It invites local engagement with Thailand’s geological heritage, promotes cross-cultural scientific collaboration, and offers a fresh lens on prehistoric life that once inhabited this part of the world.
To explore further, teachers and students can visit local museums like Sirindhorn Museum, review the latest Mesozoic research, and participate in community paleontology activities that link Thai history to the broader Earth story. As ancient footprints emerge from rock, they remind us that even the mightiest flyers sometimes left their mark on solid ground—perhaps not far from home.