Dimorphodon

Dimorphodon was an early pterosaur from the early Jurassic Period about 197-195 million years ago. Fossil remains of Dimorphodon have been found in southern England, near Lyme Regis. The first fossils were first dug out in 1828. It was later named in 1858 by the very scientist who also invented the name “dinosaur,” Richard Owen.

When we look at Dimorphodon’s anatomy we clearly see that its head is much bigger than that of others of its kind, looking like it might have been transplanted from a larger, terrestrial theropod dinosaur. The mouth had four large teeth on each side at the front, in both the upper and lower jaws. The upper jaw had a row of smaller teeth behind them, and in the lower jaw there were small, sharp teeth.

Compared to other pterosaurs the bill was tall from top to bottom but narrow from side to side. It seemed much too large simply to catch food, which is assumed was fish and other small sea animals. So why was the bill so big? Was it colorful or contained ornaments to possibly attract other members of the opposite sex?

Dimorphodon’s head may have been large, making one quarter of its total length, but it was not heavy. The skull was made of thin struts of bone rather than large slabs, making it very light. Most of the head was made up of the large bill.

Dimorphodon’s legs and feet were quite large and strong built for a pterosaur. It is possible that Dimorphodon was able to crawl well on all fours and maybe even stood up to run on its legs. Dimorphodon's wingspan was about 4.5 feet, and its total length was just over 3 feet. It was roughly the size of a goose.