Fossilized skeletons of aerial and aquatic predators to be auctioned by Sotheby’s

By KAREN MATTHEWS
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The fossilized skeletons of an aerial predator with a 20-foot wingspan and an aquatic reptile with a snake-like neck will be auctioned in New York this month. The two ancient creatures will be sold July 26 at Sotheby’s. A pteranodon, a huge bird-like animal that lived about 85 million years ago, is expected to go for between $4 million to $6 million. It was discovered in Kansas in 2002. The other creature is a plesiosaur, an 11-foot marine reptile of the type that is thought to have inspired the legend of the Loch Ness monster. Its estimated auction price is $600,000 to $800,000. Sotheby’s broke ground by selling a T. rex named Sue in 1997.