Pteranodon longiceps
In the Museum
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The Museum's fossil collection contains a number of fossil pterosaurs, including an articulated wing of a Pteranodon from the Late Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk in Kansas, which served as the basis for wing proportions for our models. Our collection also includes an articulated wing of Nyctosaurus (Nyctodactylus) gracilis; a relatively complete, disarticulated and as yet unidentified small pterosaur also from Kansas; and isolated bones from various Late Cretaceous localities, including Morocco. The best collection of North American Cretaceous pterosaurs, including Pteranodon, is probably at Yale University's Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut. |
Only the fourth of its fingers remains in our fossil of a Pteranodon longiceps's wing. Although the articulated fossil shows the wing bent where it meets this finger, the pterosaur's wingspan reached approximately 6.1 m. It was collected around 1912 and remains in its bed of Smoky Hill chalk. Catalogue: CMN8167. |
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With the expert advice of museum scientists Steve Cumbaa, Rob Holmes and Mike Caldwell, Doug Watson modeled two males of Pteranodon longiceps in 1/12th scale miniature. The models were based on the scientists' observations, scientific papers and examination of specimens in the Museum's collections. The miniatures were modeled from the inside out; scaled-down versions of the skull, rib cage, pelvic girdle and major limb bones were sculpted and then covered with muscle and skin in clay. |
Smiles all ’round. Mike Caldwell, Rob Holmes and Steve Cumbaa (left to right) pose beside one of the unpainted Pteranodon longiceps models. |
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Artist Doug Watson at work. |
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The next step in this five-month process was to scale the model up to the life-sized sculpture. Early in their discussions, Dr. Cumbaa asked Doug if he could create two Pteranodons from one mould. By modifying the angle of the wings and the direction and details of the head in a second cast, two different Pteranodons emerged at a fraction of the cost of making two original pieces. To construct a dynamic piece, the team chose to depict the two animals in an in-flight conflict over a fish.
With this plan in mind, one Pteranodon was created out of wood, styrofoam and clay. After Dr. Cumbaa and the rest of the scientific team approved the sculpture, a polyurethane rubber piece mould was made. From this mould, the finished sculptures were cast in fibreglass reinforced polyester resin. Metal armatures were incorporated into the casts to provide hanging support. The largest of the two sculptures weighs just over 91 kg. Acrylic paints and glass taxidermy eyes complete them. Each will remain suspended in mid-flight by two, 2 mm diameter, stainless steel aircraft cables. |
While Doug Watson was preparing the scale model of the Pteranodons, Jean-Guy Auger modeled their prey under the direction of Dr. Cumbaa. The 61 cm (24") Enchodus was sculpted to life-size in polyurethane foam covered with clay. The fins were carved out of plexi-glass. Once approved, this model was also moulded with polyurethane rubber. The finished plastic cast gains in realism with life-like glass taxidermy eyes. The hapless prey is held in the beak of one of the Pteranodons, with the other hunter in hot pursuit, hoping to steal itself a free meal.
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Accompanying our celebration of this achievement, CBO Morning (on CBC Radio 1) held a live broadcast from Nature's Atrium on Friday, May 14, 1999. In celebration of the 25th International Museums Day, the broadcast's these was Canadian Museums at the Millennium. |
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CBO Morning host Ashley Wright talks with Steve Cumbaa (centre) and Doug Watson. |
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