Buzz
For decades, researchers struggled to uncover much about pterosaurs due to the rarity of their fossils, as only a small number perished in conditions suitable for preservation. However, Mark Norell, head of the Paleontology Division at the American Museum of Natural History, believes the timing is perfect for a pterosaur exhibit. "Recent discoveries have significantly expanded our understanding of pterosaurs," he shares with mental_floss, "and this marks the first exhibition of its kind."
Norell, a curator for the museum's upcoming exhibit Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of the Dinosaurs, opening this Saturday, prepared by compiling a list of essential pterosaur fossils and casts. He achieved this by trading fossil casts and excavated items with curators globally. Key pieces included a rare pterosaur embryo, the Italian eudimorphodon, the London-based dimorphodon, and the remarkably preserved Dark Wing fossil from Germany, which revealed intricate wing details.
Beyond fossils, the exhibit features life-sized pterosaur models and interactive displays that let visitors experience flying like these ancient creatures. Here’s what we discovered during an early preview.
1. Contrary to popular belief, pterosaurs were not dinosaurs. Norell emphasizes this key point, clarifying that pterosaurs were relatives of dinosaurs, originating from terrestrial reptiles. They were pioneers of powered flight, following insects, and remain the largest flying creatures in history.
2. Pterosaurs exhibited remarkable size diversity, as Norell explains: “They range from the tiny Nemicolopterus cryptus, comparable to a finch, to the colossal Quetzalcoatlus northropi,” shown above, boasting a wingspan exceeding 33 feet. Over 150 pterosaur species have been identified, with scientists estimating thousands more once existed.
3. Early theories about pterosaur locomotion included ideas like hanging upside down like sloths or hopping on two legs like birds. However, fossilized tracks recently uncovered indicate that pterosaurs walked on all fours, tucking their wings neatly like folded umbrellas.
4. Attention, creators of Jurassic World: If pterosaurs appear in your films, ensure they’re depicted with a fuzzy coat. Recent studies confirm that pterosaurs had a fluffy texture, suggesting they were warm-blooded, akin to modern bats and birds.
5. The purpose of pterosaur crests remains a mystery, though theories abound: species identification, mating displays, temperature regulation, or even flight control. Michael Habib, an expert in pterosaur flight and Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California, dismisses the aerodynamic theory based on wind tunnel tests. “Positioning the crests for aerodynamic benefit would force the head and neck into unnatural, potentially harmful postures,” he explains. “The crests’ variability in size and shape, unrelated to wing structure, further supports their role in display rather than flight. While they might increase drag, such costs are typical for ornamental features.”
6. Pterosaurs laid soft-shelled eggs, a stark contrast to the hard-shelled eggs of dinosaurs. Only a handful of these eggs have been discovered. Upon hatching, pterosaur young had fully developed wings, likely enabling them to fly almost immediately. While earlier theories suggested parental care in nests, current evidence indicates that hatchlings were independent from birth.
7. The bones of pterosaurs were hollow, with walls as thin as a playing card, reinforced by internal struts similar to those in bird bones. Brain cast comparisons reveal that pterosaurs and birds shared advanced regions for vision and balance, crucial for flight.
8. Pterosaurs thrived from 220 million years ago until their extinction 66 million years ago, coinciding with the demise of non-avian dinosaurs.
Photo by Erin McCarthy
9. The first identified pterosaur, Pterodactylus Antiquus (pictured above), was collected by a German ruler in the 1700s and stored in a Curiosity Cabinet. French naturalist Georges Cuvier named it in 1809, recognizing it as a flying reptile. Recent discoveries by Norell and colleagues include a new pterosaur species estimated to be 15 percent larger than Quetzalcoatlus.
10. The nearest modern relatives of pterosaurs are an unlikely pair: crocodiles and birds.
All photos courtesy of AMNH unless otherwise noted.
