Pteranodon was a large and graceful pterosaur that would have used rising air currents, or 'thermals' to soar into the air. Pteranodon was designed to live in the air and would have been ungainly and awkward on land, putting it at risk from predators. For this reason, it probably only landed to mate, nest or rest.

Pteranodon was primarily a fish-eater and would have spent much of its time circling estuaries, lakes and seas. When it attacked, it swooped down towards the water's surface, dipped its beak in and grabbed a fish before swallowing it whole.

The distinctive head crest on Pteranodon was actually only found on the males and was probably used during mating displays or to intimidate male rivals. Pteranodon would have laid eggs and made nests much as many modern sea birds do. They would also have needed to provide food for their hatchlings, flying out to sea to catch fish and then bringing them back to the nest.

When in flight, an adult Pteranodon would have had few enemies. But the same would not have been true on land, where its lack of mobility would have made it vulnerable to the attentions of predators and rivals.

Being a specialised fish hunter, any injury to Pteranodon, especially on its delicate wings, would have presented a serious threat to its well-being. Any Pteranodon that found itself unable to take-off would be doomed to either starve to death or to be caught and eaten by a predator such as Giganotosaurus.