How to Identify a Pterodactyl

The flying dinosaur is widely known as the Pterodactyl, but scientists actually classify the creature as a reptile. The Pterodactyl isn't really a dinosaur or a bird because it didn't have had feathers. Instead, it's the first known flying reptile during the Jurassic Period.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Group the flying reptiles of the late Jurassic Period in the Pterosaurs group. While many identify them as dinosaurs, the winged bird-like creatures are actually reptiles.

2. Look at the wingspan of the Pterodactyl. It was only 2 to 3 feet across. Larger flying reptiles were classified in the Pterosaurs group.

3. Imagine the Pterodactyl flying long distances, swooping down to the water like birds today do, to catch it's dinner. The Pterodactyl was a great long distance flier with good eye sight to find fish and other prey.

4. Place the Pterodactyl near lake shores. They were the creatures of the air in their time. Laying eggs to hatch their young, and eating meals of meat from the waters or nearby lands.

5. Identify the Pterodactyl by it's head. The bird-like reptile had a small head with pointed beak filled with many little teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many species of winged reptiles, but they are all sometimes labeled as Pterodactyls.
• Pterodactyls do not fit in the dinosaur category because most scientists believe it dinosaurs stood upright.
• Observe some flying reptiles had wing spans of up to 40 feet across. These dinosaurs were actually another species not Pterodactyls.

Resources

• Yahoo! Kids Dinosaurs

[kwdactyl]

on 4/3/2009 I have A few Pterodactyl fossils! I identify A pterodactyl by it's toe claw and A point A rear of skull. Rhamphorhycoidea has A rounded rear of skull with A flexable crest and A notched beak for A Gill also toes like A parrot instead of foot claws. http://www.pterodactylfossilsforsale.com/ I have photo's on my website to study ! Wing fingers are found on both Pterodactyl and rhamphorhycoidea! Both are thought to feed on fish!The fossils I have found in California have Tails that are weapon like ! in one instance A fossilized Pterodactyl has torn A pre-historic mouse in half with it's tail! suggesting larger adults ate dinosaur and mamoth as well as fish!kwdactyl