Paleontologists from the University of Queensland have unveiled a near-complete skeleton of a new pterosaur species, Cryodraco nivalis, found in the Antarctic Peninsula. This flying reptile lived during the Early Cretaceous and possessed unique snowshoe-like foot structures designed for walking on soft, seasonal snow or mud in the polar forests of Gondwana. The fossil exhibits exceptionally preserved filament-like structures that acted as thermal insulation.
The discovery confirms that these apex aerial predators were well-adapted to the freezing temperatures of the high latitudes. The species has a wingspan of approximately 4 meters and a specialized beak suited for catching freshwater fish in sub-glacial rivers. This find effectively doubles the known diversity of polar pterosaurs and provides critical data on how prehistoric flight-capable species survived in extreme environments without migrating.