Buzz
When most people think of ancient reptiles, dinosaurs are often the first to come to mind. There’s a valid reason for this, as dinosaurs were Earth's dominant creatures for over 160 million years (compared to the mere 200,000 years of modern humans), captivating the imaginations of people young and old.
However, one group that tends to be overlooked are the pterosaurs. While not true dinosaurs, pterosaurs belong to their own category of flying reptiles. Let’s dive into 10 of the most strange and frightening pterosaurs that once roamed the skies.
10. Ikrandraco Avatar
At the top of the list is a fascinating pterosaur, discovered and identified in 2014. Ikrandraco is known for its distinctive crest that jutted out from its lower jaw. This unique feature led paleontologists to name it after Ikran, the winged creature from the movie Avatar, which had a similar jaw crest. While crests were common in pterosaurs, Ikrandraco remains the only known species to feature one on its mandible.
It is believed that Ikrandraco's distinctive lower jaw, combined with an expandable throat pouch, allowed it to skim the surface of freshwater lakes in what is now China in search of fish. Its jaws, armed with at least 40 small teeth, would have efficiently trapped prey. Ikrandraco lived during the early Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago.
9. Rhamphorhynchus Muensteri
Rhamphorhynchus, meaning “beak snout,” was a small yet intimidating pterosaur that lived during the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago.
Rhamphorhynchus was a small pterosaur, measuring about 1 meter (3 ft) from wingtip to wingtip, and featured a long tail with a diamond-shaped lobe. It likely skimmed the surface of lakes and rivers for fish, using its fearsome, tooth-filled jaws to capture its prey.
What makes this pterosaur truly remarkable, however, are the extraordinary fossils it left behind, some even displaying the outlines of internal organs. One remarkable specimen appears to depict a Rhamphorhynchus locked in battle with a large prehistoric fish named Aspidorhynchus.
Paleontologists have reconstructed the battle from the fossilized remains, which show the large-toothed Aspidorhynchus with its jaws firmly gripped onto the wing of the unfortunate Rhamphorhynchus. Even more astonishing is the discovery of a small fish in the larynx of Rhamphorhynchus, indicating that the predator had quickly become prey. Aspidorhynchus likely struggled to swallow the pterosaur and was unable to expel it from its mouth. The death of these two creatures, along with the fish, was immortalized as they sank into soft sediment, offering paleontologists a rare glimpse into life during the Jurassic period.
8. Dimorphodon Macronyx
While many pterosaurs had long, elegant heads and necks, Dimorphodon took a very different approach. Resembling a flying bulldog, Dimorphodon sported a short, stubby neck, with a head and jaw that were far shorter and deeper than those of many of its pterosaur relatives. Despite its large head in proportion to its body, Dimorphodon had a light skull thanks to several large openings in the skull.
Dimorphodon was one of the earliest pterosaurs, living around 176 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Like most early pterosaurs, it had a long tail, which paleontologists believe served as a stabilizer during flight. Unlike later, larger pterosaurs that were primarily gliders, Dimorphodon likely used flapping motions to stay airborne.
The limbs of Dimorphodon were robust, allowing it to likely move on land using its hind legs. Discovered in 1828 by renowned British paleontologist Mary Anning, Dimorphodon was the first pterosaur to be identified and found in the United Kingdom.
7. Jeholopterus Ninchengensis
Probably more endearing than frightening, Jeholopterus likely resembled a fluffy bat more than a typical reptile. Thanks to an exceptionally well-preserved fossil, paleontologists have found that Jeholopterus was covered in a unique type of fiber.
The remarkable fossil, discovered in China, appears to depict an adult Jeholopterus coated in hair-like fibers. Initially, paleontologists believed these fibers were the earliest forms of feathers, termed “protofeathers.” However, further investigation revealed that these were actually thick filaments known as pycnofibers, distinct from mammalian hair. While all pterosaurs had some form of these fibers, Jeholopterus is the first fossil to definitively show that they were not protofeathers, leading to the coining of the term “pycnofibers.”
Jeholopterus likely lived in trees, as its claws had protective coverings that prevented excessive wear. This suggests that it was an excellent climber, as the claws would remain sharp and functional for a long time. With an approximate wingspan of 1 meter (3 feet), Jeholopterus was a small pterosaur that probably fed mainly on insects.
6. Nyctosaurus Gracilis
While many pterosaurs were known for their cranial crests, Nyctosaurus might have taken the crown for the most extraordinary headgear. Featuring a massive forked crest that stretched about two and a half times the length of its skull, Nyctosaurus resembled a bizarre hybrid of a deer and a pterosaur.
It is believed that Nyctosaurus glided through the skies above the ancient oceans much like today’s albatross, hunting for fish and small marine creatures. A moderately-sized pterosaur with a wingspan of around 2–3 meters (6–9 ft), Nyctosaurus was notable for its impressive crest, which paleontologists speculate may have served as a visual display during mating season. If so, the crest could have been brightly colored to attract females and intimidate competing males.
5. Nemicolopterus Crypticus
Not all pterosaurs were colossal creatures, as demonstrated by the tiny Nemicolopterus. This miniature flying reptile was a far cry from its larger relatives, measuring just 25 centimeters (10 inches) from wingtip to wingtip, about twice the size of a modern-day hummingbird.
Nemicolopterus is one of the smallest pterosaurs ever discovered, a stark contrast to its enormous, fish-eating cousins. With curved toes, it could grip branches in the trees where it likely lived. During the early Cretaceous period in what is now China, this tiny pterosaur fed on insects, catching them with its small, toothless jaws.
Nemicolopterus crypticus, which translates to “hidden flying forest dweller,” is offering paleontologists valuable new insights into the lives of inland pterosaurs, while also contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary history of pterosaurs.
4. Pterodaustro Guinazui
When most people imagine pterosaurs, they think of these flying creatures with enormous jaws hunting for fish and small prey. However, Pterodaustro breaks from this stereotype. Instead of resembling modern-day gulls, Pterodaustro appears to have been more like a Cretaceous flamingo, adopting a completely different feeding strategy.
Unlike other pterosaurs that had long, toothless beaks or numerous sharp teeth, Pterodaustro’s jaws were packed with nearly 1,000 needle-like, specialized teeth. It likely scooped up water with its jaws, filtering out small shrimp and other aquatic creatures through these teeth.
Even more fascinating, fossils suggest that Pterodaustro had a diet much like that of modern flamingos, which may have contributed to its potential pinkish coloration.
3. Quetzalcoatlus Northropi
This awe-inspiring pterosaur may have been the ruler of the skies like no other. Imagine a creature as tall as a giraffe, with a wingspan equivalent to that of an F-16 fighter jet. Now, picture this giant soaring above you, and you’ve got a glimpse of Quetzalcoatlus.
Named after the Aztec feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl, Quetzalcoatlus was a true aerial giant in the late Cretaceous, with wings stretching up to 12 meters (39 feet). It was likely a glider, effortlessly cruising through the skies at speeds of up to 107 kilometers per hour (67 mph).
Despite its enormous size, Quetzalcoatlus couldn’t escape the fate that ultimately claimed all flying reptiles, dinosaurs, and large marine reptiles. About 66 million years ago, a massive asteroid struck, wiping them out and clearing the skies for modern birds to take over.
2. Pteranodon Longiceps
The famous and possibly the most researched of all pterosaurs, Pteranodon is easily identified by the striking crest on its head. Living around 85 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, Pteranodon was one of the largest flying reptiles, with males boasting wingspans over 7.6 meters (25 feet). Despite its size, Pteranodon was surprisingly light, with some estimates suggesting a weight as low as 15 kilograms (35 pounds) due to its hollow, bird-like bones.
Thousands of fossils of this massive creature have been unearthed across North America, with the first descriptions appearing in scientific literature in 1876. Despite such extensive findings, scientists are still uncertain about the purpose of its large head crest. Some theorize that it was used for courtship displays, with males typically sporting a larger crest than females. It’s believed that Pteranodon primarily fed on fish, although it remains unclear how it caught them with its toothless beak.
1. Pterodactylus Antiquus
Few pterosaurs are as famous as Pterodactylus, commonly referred to as the pterodactyl. This fame likely stems from its status as the first pterosaur discovered in 1784, although it wasn't recognized as a flying reptile until much later.
At the time of its discovery, scientists mistakenly believed Pterodactylus was a marine creature. They thought that the long fourth finger supporting its wings was a paddle used for swimming through water.
Pterodactylus was one of the earliest pterosaurs, living during the Jurassic period about 150 million years ago. It was a small creature, with a wingspan of roughly 1.5 meters (5 feet), and it glided through the skies over what is now Germany. It survived by hunting fish and other small prey, using its mouth filled with almost 100 sharp teeth to capture its meals.
