Let’s be real, we’ve all loved dinosaurs at some point in our childhood. T-rex is an all-time favorite of millions across the world. And being even more real, we’ve all loved Game of Thrones just as much too. How perfect would it be then if the show had a dinosaur named after them? Especially after House Targaryen? Well, that is exactly what happened!
The fourth Dragon for House Targaryen?
The dinosaur in the discussion is a pterosaur, which is a specie with wings that used to fly. It has been named “Targaryendraco Wiedenrothi“. Sounds familiar, right? That’s because it is named after our favorite Dragon Lords in Game of Thrones, House Targaryen.
This is a special kind of Pterosaur with an unusually long snout and outward-pointing teeth. At first, it was classified in the Ornithocheirus genus. However, as time passed paleontologists realized it deserved its own genus. That is when they named it after the infamous House Targaryen of Game of Thrones.
New pterosaur: Targaryendraco. I will do what pterosaurs do. I will rule! #pterosaur #fossils #science https://t.co/iwzUcT9S9l pic.twitter.com/AOaZC8Q3EK
— Pteros (@flyingreptiles) December 11, 2019
It lived some 130 million years ago, in what is now Germany and used to feed on fish. It might not be as mighty as Drogon, but creatures like these inspired fiction writers to write about dragons. And George R.R. Martin is no different.
Speaking of George R.R. Martin and Dragons…
Dragons seem to be one of George R.R. Martin’s favorite creatures. They have been a part of Game of Thrones lore for millennia. Moreover, his books focus on a time when dragons finally make a comeback after 100 years. If that wasn’t enough, he even wrote a separate book for the House of the Dragons. And that is the book the Game of Thrones prequel will be based upon. Needless to say, George will be pleased with a dinosaur named after his work.
Game of Thrones dominated pop culture for over a decade. Therefore, It shouldn’t be that big a surprise that it has now started to dominate science and paleontology too. Here’s to more of such cool tributes to the famous show and George R.R. Martin’s work!
