hatzegopteryx with Animation

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Hatzegopteryx, or "Hațeg basin wing," is a group of massive azhdarchid flying reptiles discovered in Romania's Transylvania region. Specifically, the late Maastrichtian layers of the Densuş Ciula Formation yielded this incredible find. The genus is known primarily through its type species, Hatzegopteryx thambema, identified by Buffetaut et al. in 2002 from fragments of the skull and humerus. Subsequent discoveries included a neck vertebra, which was later matched to this genus, showcasing a wide range of sizes. The largest fossils found suggest that Hatzegopteryx was one of the biggest flying creatures ever, with an estimated wingspan of 10 to 12 meters or 33 to 39 feet.