Vultursaurus
Template:Kaiju Infobox Comic Vulturesaurus is a species Skull Island Dinosaur Template:Kaiju that appeared in the 2005 prequel to King Kong, King Kong: The Island of the Skull.
Name
Vulturesaurus comes from Sam Kelley's having initially mistaken it for a vulture, and upon seeing it more clearly dubbed it "Vulturesaurus".
Appearance
The Vulturesaurus, is described as having a "U-shaped" head, a sleek body, and clawed feet. Its claws are very sharp and are capable of tearing flesh on contact. However, due to their slight build, they cannot carry much weight with their feet. Their wings are bat-like in appearance. The wings were broad and supple so that they could be realigned with ease.[1]
Origin
The book The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island states that Vulturesaurus is the sole surviving descendant of a second dynasty of flying theropods that developed bat-like wing membranes instead of feathers.[1]
History
King Kong: The Island of the Skull
In their debut novel, a Vulturesaurus preyed on Sam Kelley and his associates as they climbed down a rock face. It took one of them but was unable to escape Kelley's gunfire because its prey was too heavy. Another Vulturesaurus waited for Kelley and his last remaining companion to get a bit farther away from the island, and when their boat struck a rock, and one of them was thrown from the ship's cabin. Seizing its opportunity, the Vulturesaurus went in for the kill. It successfully got a hold of the girl but was killed by Kelley with a gun.
Abilities
Flight
- Vulturesaurus can fly by using its wings, but their flight was not as efficient as a bird's or a bat's though it was more than sufficient to keep Vulturesaurus afloat.[1]
Hunting Adaptations
- Vulturesaurus has pointed teeth and incredibly sharp claws.
Notes and references