Scientists have discovered the largest animal ever to have taken to the skies.
Twice as big as a jet fighter and as elegant as a swan, the pterosaur had a wing span of 59ft - twice the size of the new Typhoon Eurofighter.
The giant lizard, a cousin of the dinosaurs, dominated the skies about 220 million years ago.
It had been known that large pterosaurs with wingspans of about 38ft were relatively common.
But scientists are now beginning to realise that larger lizards with huge wingspans were resident across the world.
The revelation follows discoveries of footprints and fossilised bones in Israel, Jordan, Brazil and Romania.
It may have been bigger than a jet fighter, but it was also just as sophisticated in its design.
It flew thanks to a very, very thin membrane of skin and super lightweight bones.
Scientists added that courtship would be carried out "with gusto".
Twice as big as a jet fighter and as elegant as a swan, the pterosaur had a wing span of 59ft - twice the size of the new Typhoon Eurofighter.
The giant lizard, a cousin of the dinosaurs, dominated the skies about 220 million years ago.
It had been known that large pterosaurs with wingspans of about 38ft were relatively common.
But scientists are now beginning to realise that larger lizards with huge wingspans were resident across the world.
The revelation follows discoveries of footprints and fossilised bones in Israel, Jordan, Brazil and Romania.
It may have been bigger than a jet fighter, but it was also just as sophisticated in its design.
It flew thanks to a very, very thin membrane of skin and super lightweight bones.
Scientists added that courtship would be carried out "with gusto".
