More About Pterodactylus

Pterodactylus was lightly built with a small body, hollow bones, a long, curved neck and a long skull with no crest. Its beak was long and pointed and lined with many small teeth and it had a very short tail. Pterodactylus had a relatively large brain and good eyesight. The skull measured around 2.4 inches (6 centimetres) long.

Pterodactyloid wings were covered by a leathery membrane. This thin but tough membrane stretched between its body, the top of its legs and its elongated fourth fingers, forming the structure of the wing. It was supported internally by collagen fibres and externally by keratinous ridges. Its fingers were equipped with sharp claws. Pterodactylus could flap its wings and fly with power and be able to fly very long distances.

Pterodactyloids were reptiles, but not dinosaurs. By definition, all dinosaurs were diapsid reptiles with an upright stance. Pterosaurs probably had a semi-upright stance. There is a small minority of paleontologists who think that the pterosaurs stance could have been upright and that pterosaurs should therefore be included in the dinosaur group (being derived theropods). Either way, dinosaurs and pterosaurs are certainly closely related.

Pterodactylus is known from over 27 fossil specimens, and though most of those are juveniles, many preserve complete skeletons. The skulls of adult Pterodactylus were long and narrow with about 90 large, conical teeth. The teeth extended back from the tips of both jaws, and became smaller farther away from the jaw tips. Fossils have been found in Tanzania, England, France, and Germany.

The name derives from the Greek words ptero (meaning 'winged') and dactyl (meaning 'finger') and refers to the way in which the wing is supported by one large finger.

Pterodactylus was originally named Ptero-dactyle by Georges Cuvier in 1809.