How the Largest Animals That Could Ever Fly Supported Giraffe-Like Necks These pterosaurs had wingspans as long as 33 feet, and scans of fossilized remains reveal a surprise in their anatomy. Video An end-to-end CT scan of a fossilized pterosaur vertebra reveals the spoke-like structures inside. Video by Williams et al.Credit By Becky Ferreira April 14, 2021Updated 12:33 p.m. ET If you were to gaze skyward in the late Cretaceous, you might catch a glimpse of surreal flying giants with wingspans that rival small planes. This supersized group of pterosaurs, known as azhdarchids, included species that measured 33 feet between wingtips, which made them the largest animals that ever took to the air.