Pterodactyl

Pterodactyl is a genus of pterosaur, a group of flying reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago.

The "type fossil" of Pterodactylus was discovered in Germany in the late 18th century, well before scientists had a firm understanding of pterosaurs, dinosaurs, or, for that matter, the theory of evolution (which was formulated decades later). Some early naturalists even mistakenly believed—although not after 1830 or so—that Pterodactylus was a kind of bizarre, ocean-dwelling amphibian that used its wings as flippers. As for Pteranodon, its type of fossil was discovered in Kansas in 1870 by famed American paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh.

A lot of the buzz originally generated by the discovery of Pteranodon and Pterodactylus has been co-opted by the truly gigantic Quetzalcoatlus, a late Cretaceous pterosaur with a wingspan of 35 to 40 feet (about the size of a small plane). Fittingly, Quetzalcoatlus was named after Quetzalcoatl, the flying, feathered god of the Aztecs.

The discovery of Pterodactyl has provided valuable insights into the diversity and ecology of the Late Cretaceous period, and has sparked continued interest in the study of pterosaurs and other prehistoric flying creatures. Although many questions about Pterodactyl and other pterosaurs remain unanswered, ongoing research and discoveries are shedding new light on these fascinating and enigmatic animals.

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Pterodactyl

Pterodactyl Eggs

Pterodactyl Leg

Pterodactyl Pelvis

Pterodactyl Skull/Beak

Pterodactyl Spine

Pterodactyl Wing