Pterodactylus

Basic Information

Pterodactylus (the true “pterodactyl”) was not actually a dinosaur, but a flying reptile called a pterosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 150.8-148.5 million years ago!

Scientists found the very first Pterodactylus fossil in Germany in 1784, and people were so amazed by it that they thought it might be a sea creature at first!

Pterodactylus was about the size of a modern-day crow, with a wingspan of about 3.5 feet (1.04 meters) — that’s about as wide as a kid is tall!

The name “Pterodactylus” comes from Greek words meaning “wing finger” because they had one super-long finger that supported their wing membrane!

Unlike birds, which are covered in feathers, Pterodactylus had a covering of fine, hair-like structures called pycnofibers that helped keep them warm!

Pterodactylus lived alongside dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx and Compsognathus in what is now southern Germany, where the land was covered in warm, tropical lagoons!

A baby Pterodactylus could probably fly shortly after hatching, unlike baby birds who need to stay in the nest for weeks!

Pterodactylus was a carnivore that mostly ate fish and other small animals, using its pointed beak to catch slippery prey!

Scientists can tell from fossil evidence that Pterodactylus had excellent eyesight and balance, which helped it fly and hunt effectively!

The first complete Pterodactylus skeleton was found in the famous Solnhofen Limestone in Germany, which preserved even the delicate wing membranes!

Physical Features

Pterodactylus had hollow bones filled with air spaces, just like modern birds, which helped make them light enough to fly!

The wings of Pterodactylus were made of tough, leathery skin stretched between its elongated fourth finger and its body!

Pterodactylus had a short tail that helped with balance.

Unlike modern birds, Pterodactylus had sharp little teeth in its beak that helped it grab onto slippery fish!

The skull of Pterodactylus was lightweight but strong, with large eye sockets that suggest they had excellent vision!

Scientific Understanding

Paleontologists use CT scans of pterosaur fossils to look inside the bones and learn about how they grew and lived!

By studying the shape of pterosaur wings and running computer simulations, scientists can figure out how well they could fly and what kinds of aerial maneuvers they could perform!

Hunting & Defense

Pterodactylus had large eyes that helped it spot fish from high in the sky, so it could easily find its next meal!

When Pterodactylus caught fish, it could use its pointed beak like tweezers to grip the slippery prey securely!

Pterodactylus had special sensors in its beak that could help it feel when it touched fish or other prey, just like modern shorebirds!

Even though Pterodactylus was a skilled hunter, it probably avoided larger predatory dinosaurs by staying in the air where it was safe!

Habitat & Environment

During the time of Pterodactylus, much of Europe was covered by warm, shallow seas filled with fish, squid, and other tasty prey!

Pterodactylus lived in an archipelago — a group of islands surrounded by lagoons — similar to the modern-day Caribbean!

The water around Pterodactylus’s home was so calm and clear that when animals died, their fossils were perfectly preserved in the fine limestone mud!

Pterodactylus shared its island home with small dinosaurs, ancient crocodiles, and some of the first birds like Archaeopteryx!

The climate during Pterodactylus’s time was much warmer than today, with no ice caps at the poles and tropical plants growing far north!

Daily Life

Baby Pterodactylus, called flaplings, could probably fly within hours or days of hatching — much faster than baby birds!

Scientists think Pterodactylus might have gathered in groups near the water to catch fish, like modern seabirds do!

Fossil evidence shows that Pterodactylus grew steadily in its early life, taking a few years to reach its full size, much slower than how quickly some reptiles grow today!

Discovery & Research

The limestone quarries where Pterodactylus fossils are found are so fine-grained that they preserve even delicate details like wing membranes and pycnofibers!

Scientists can tell what colors Pterodactylus might have been by studying tiny structures preserved in its fossilized skin!

Some Pterodactylus fossils are so well-preserved that scientists can study the growth rings in their bones, like counting tree rings!

Fun and Unique Facts

Pterodactylus could fold its wings close to its body when walking, just like birds do!

The oldest known Pterodactylus fossil belonged to a juvenile about the size of a sparrow!

Scientists can tell from fossil evidence that Pterodactylus had a warm-blooded metabolism, unlike modern reptiles!

Pterodactylus had special bones in its chest that helped anchor its flight muscles, similar to the keel bone in modern birds!

Although Pterodactylus wasn’t the biggest pterosaur, it was one of the first to be scientifically described and helped us understand that flying reptiles once ruled the skies!

An adult Pterodactylus was about the size of a modern crow, making it one of the smaller pterosaurs!

The wingspan of Pterodactylus was about as wide as a tall first-grader, reaching up to 3.4 feet (1.04 meters)!

A Pterodactylus skull was about as long as a child’s hand, with a long, pointed beak full of tiny teeth!

When standing, Pterodactylus was about as tall as a house cat!

The smallest known Pterodactylus fossil is from a juvenile about the size of a modern sparrow!

The wing membranes of Pterodactylus contained tiny muscle fibers that helped it adjust the wing shape during flight!

Scientists think Pterodactylus could fly for long periods without getting tired, thanks to its efficient muscles and lightweight skeleton!

Pterodactylus had special blood vessels in its wings that helped regulate its body temperature during flight!

The wings of Pterodactylus were covered in tiny structural fibers that made them stronger and more flexible!

Fossil evidence suggests that young Pterodactylus might have lived in different areas than adults, similar to how some modern birds separate by age!

Young Pterodactylus looked quite different from adults, with shorter beaks and different proportions!

Baby Pterodactylus had different tooth shapes than adults, suggesting they might have eaten different types of food!

As Pterodactylus grew up, its skull changed shape dramatically, becoming longer and more pointed!