Pterodactylus

Description

Pterodactylus is the most famous of the pterosaurs that appeared in the Late Jurassic period. Compared to earlier pterosaurs, it had a long wingspan, a long neck, and a short tail.

Pterodactylus fossils were discovered in the late 1700s, and ever since, its relatives have been called Pterodactyloids. It was a small pterosaur, about the size of a lark or a pigeon, and is believed to have been a highly maneuverable flyer, much like a bat. In fact, it was initially thought to be a type of bat, but scientists realized it was a pterosaur because its wings were supported by just a single finger. The name Pterodactylus means “winged finger.”

Its hind legs were slender, and its four toes had claws. Fossils also suggest that its hind feet were webbed. Its wings were made of skin and muscle, supported by its fourth finger and a tough tendon.

Pterodactylus was an excellent flier, but it seems to have also walked along coastlines and shallows to hunt for prey. Fossils found in the 1990s revealed that it used not only its hind legs but also its folded forelimbs to support its body.

Its long snout had sharp, pointed teeth at the front, which were perfect for catching slippery fish. The tip of its snout also had a keratinous beak, similar to a bird’s.

Its body was covered in hair or hair-like fibers, which helped to maintain its body temperature. It also had a mane on the back of its neck. These features suggest that Pterodactylus was endothermic (warm-blooded).