1" Ornithocheirid Pterosaur Fossil Tooth Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz FM Niger Africa

Location: Elrhaz Formation, Niger, Africa

Weight: 0.3 Ounces 

Dimension: 1 Inch Long, 0.3 Inches Wide

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Upper Cretaceous 96 Million Years Old

 Name: Pterosaur

Type: Carnivore

Size: 10 to 12 meters in length

Long before birds took to the skies, pterosaurs ruled the air as the first vertebrates capable of powered flight. Members of the extinct group Pterosauria, these remarkable flying reptiles thrived throughout the Mesozoic Era, from the Triassic through the Jurassic to the Cretaceous periods (228–66 million years ago).

Pterosaurs had wings unlike any other animal, formed from a membrane of skin, muscle, and connective tissue stretching from the elongated fourth finger to the hind limbs. This wing design allowed for efficient gliding, precise maneuvering, and powerful flight. Early species featured long tails and toothed jaws suited for catching fish and small prey, while later species developed toothless beaks and shorter tails, improving flight efficiency and adapting to diverse diets.

Their skeletons were highly specialized: hollow, air-filled bones reduced weight without sacrificing strength, thin bone walls enhanced flexibility, and a keeled breastbone supported massive flight muscles. Additionally, an enlarged brain coordinated the complex motions needed for hunting, landing, and aerial navigation.

From tiny, agile pterosaurs to enormous giants with wingspans exceeding 10 meters, these Mesozoic flying reptiles showcase the evolutionary ingenuity of Pterosauria, illustrating how vertebrates first conquered the skies.