Quetzalcoatlus
/ˌkɛt.səl.koʊˈæt.ləs/noun
A genus of giant pterosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period.
Did you know?Quetzalcoatlus was named for Quetzalcoatl, the Mesoamerican deity whose name is traditionally translated as “Feathered Serpent,” linking paleontology to ancient religious symbolism.
Etymological Timeline
Before 16th Century
Nahuatl
quetzalli
“A precious or beautiful feather, especially the brilliant tail feather of the quetzal bird”
Before 16th Century
Nahuatl
coatl
“Serpent or snake”
Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
Nahuatl
Quetzalcoatl
““Feathered Serpent,” the name of a major Mesoamerican deity”
1971
Scientific Latin
Quetzalcoatlus
“A genus name formed from Quetzalcoatl and the Latinized zoological ending -us”
Modern English
English
Quetzalcoatlus
“A genus of enormous Late Cretaceous pterosaurs, including one of the largest known flying animals”
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