NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Nerd Culture
    • About Us
      • Want to Write for Nerdbot?
    NERDBOT
    Home»News»Australian Fossil Labeled ‘Closest Thing to a Real-Life Dragon’
    Life reconstruction of Thapunngaka shawi. Image credit: Richards et al., doi: 10.1080/02724634.2021.1946068.
    News

    Australian Fossil Labeled ‘Closest Thing to a Real-Life Dragon’

    Heath AndrewsBy Heath AndrewsAugust 12, 2021Updated:August 12, 20212 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Leave it to Australia to find monstrous creatures, the likes of which we’ve never seen before, even in death. In a recent publication from the University of Queensland, PhD candidate Tim Richards described the fossilized remains that were originally found in a quarry back in June of 2011. After continued research, the fossil now represents a new species of anhanguerian pterosaur, named Thapunngaka shawi.

    In terms of being compared to a dragon, that may be a bit of dramatic license; it’s not like a fire-breathing mystical being was soaring above the land of Australia millions of years ago. Thapunngaka shawi is still very much a pterosaur; just a really big one with lots of really sharp teeth.

    Life reconstruction of Thapunngaka shawi. Image credit: Richards et al., doi: 10.1080/02724634.2021.1946068.

    Richards described the beast as “essentially just a skull with a long neck. bolted on a pair of long wings.” The skull itself would be over a meter long, and attached to it is a spear like mouth with approximately forty teeth. The wingspan is around seven meters, or close to 23 feet. Another way of putting it, is that if Alfred Hitchcock had used this thing in “The Birds,” it would’ve been a kaiju movie. Oh, and everyone would probably be dead, including Hitchcock.

    As for the name itself, it’s a combination of Wanamara words for “spear”, (thapun) and “mouth,” ngaka. The shawi refers to the person who discovered the fossil, Len Shaw. Shaw was actually pretty lucky to find the fossil as pterosaur specimens are notoriously hard to find. Because their bones, like most flying creature’s bones are hollow, they’re more likely to be damaged over time. To find a specimen this well preserved is pretty astounding.

    Currently the fossil is on display in the Kronosaurus Korner fossil museum. Maybe I’ll see it one day if I can get over my crippling fear of massive spiders.

    Sorry Australia, I’m sure the country is lovely, but even one Huntsman Spider would be enough to make me never set foot there. And your GIANT PREHISTORIC FLYING DEATH BEASTS ARE NOT HELPING!

    Author

    • Heath Andrews
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleBrendan Fraser is Too Pure, We Must Protect Him at All Costs
    Next Article “Labyrinth” Celebrates 35 Years by Coming Back to Theaters!
    Heath Andrews
    • Twitter

    Heath Andrews has been a student of pop culture ever since he found himself to be the only student in 3rd grade who regularly watched "Get Smart" on Nick-At-Nite. Ever since then he's been engrossed in way too much media with a growing collection of music, books, comics, TV on DVD box sets, and a video game collection that could rival a brick and mortar store. Prior to writing for Nerdbot he's written for Review You, MyAnimeList, and various advertising companies. Since 2016 he's run his own YouTube channel under the moniker of The Critical Android where he livestreams video games and uploads podcasts about pop culture and Frasier.

    Related Posts

    Murph Joins Twitter, Follows 5 Accounts (Including Gritty!)

    June 24, 2022

    Possible Rocketeer Spotted Over LAX Again

    June 24, 2022

    Barb to the Chest: Florida Boy Attacked by Catfish

    June 23, 2022

    Thanks, We Hate It- Double Decker Airplane Seat

    June 23, 2022

    Broadway Bound: “Back to the Future” Musical Sets 2023 Premiere

    June 22, 2022

    J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fall Of Númenor” Collection Coming this Fall

    June 22, 2022
    Subscribe for the Latest News
    • Trending
    • Latest
    • Movies
    • TV

    Christian Activist Suing The NFL For $867 Trillion Over Half-Time Show

    February 5, 2020

    Marvel Eyeing GOT Star Nathalie Emmanuel To Play The MCU’s Storm

    June 27, 2019

    Rumor: Charlie Hunnam In Talks For New Wolverine Movie

    May 20, 2019

    Scientists Are Actually Trying to Open a Portal to a Mirror Universe(Yes Really)

    December 28, 2019

    Remember When Ryan Gosling Danced in Hammer Pants?

    June 25, 2022

    Chris Pratt Hypes Mario Voice, *Could* Be Good?

    June 25, 2022

    Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” is Grotesque Mayhem [Review]

    June 24, 2022

    Amazon Alexa Can Successfully Deepfake Voices Now

    June 24, 2022

    Chris Pratt Hypes Mario Voice, *Could* Be Good?

    June 25, 2022

    Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” is Grotesque Mayhem [Review]

    June 24, 2022

    Remastered Mega Hit “Titanic” Returns to Theaters

    June 24, 2022

    Watch: “Thor: Love and Thunder” Red Carpet Premiere

    June 23, 2022

    George RR Martin Confirms “SNOW,” Jon Snow Series

    June 23, 2022

    Emilia Clarke Confirms Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow Spinoff Series

    June 23, 2022

    “What We Do in the Shadows” Gets Parental in New Trailer

    June 22, 2022

    Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen Want More “Obi Wan Kenobi” Too

    June 22, 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    San Diego Comic-Con
      • San Diego Comic-Con
    NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    © 2022 NERDBOT Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Posting....