Pterodactylus

Pterodactylus was one of the first of a new subgroup of pterosaurs. These were the short-tailed or tailless pterosaurs, known as pterodactyloids. The long tailed pterosaurs died out around the end of the Jurassic Period. Pterodactylus will live clear until the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs.

Pterodactylus are known from over 27 fossil specimens, although most of these are juveniles, many preserve complete specimens. Pterodactylus fossils have been discovered mainly in the Solnhofen area in Germany. Other fossil discovery sites include southern England, France, Tanzania and East Africa.

The skulls of Pterodactylus were long and narrow with approximately 90 conical teeth. These teeth extended back from the tips of both jaws starting larger at front and smaller in the back. Pterodactylus had a crest on its skull composed primarily of soft tissues. These crests have only been found on adult specimens, suggesting that these structures developed when the animal reached maturity.

Pterodactylus species varied in sizes, the wingspan of the smallest was only 14 inches, while the largest had wings that measured about 8 feet in length from tip to tip. They were all probably excellent fliers, and with the sharp pointy teeth may have had no problem catching flying insects, such as dragonflies in midair, or swooped on small creatures, such as lizards on the ground. The larger Pterodactylus probably fed on fish.