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

Location: Elrhaz Formation, Niger, Africa

Weight: 0.3 Ounces 

Dimension: 1 inch long, 0.2 Inches Wide

Comes with a free Display.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Upper Cretaceous 96 Million Years Old

 Name: Pterosaur

Type: Carnivore

Size: 10 to 12 meters in length

Pterosaurs, belonging to the extinct group Pterosauria, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, dominating the skies throughout the Mesozoic Era, from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods (228–66 million years ago). These flying reptiles displayed incredible diversity in size, shape, and feeding strategies, ranging from small insect-eaters to massive fish-hunting giants.

The wings of pterosaurs were supported by a membrane of skin, muscle, and connective tissue extending from the elongated fourth finger to the hind limbs, allowing for exceptional maneuverability in the air. Early pterosaurs possessed long, toothed jaws and lengthy tails, ideal for catching prey, while later species evolved toothless beaks and reduced tails, demonstrating adaptations for improved flight efficiency and dietary flexibility.

Pterosaurs’ anatomy was finely tuned for flight. Their hollow, air-filled bones reduced skeletal weight, while thin bone walls provided strength and flexibility. A keeled breastbone anchored powerful flight muscles, and an enlarged brain coordinated complex aerial movements, making them highly skilled hunters and navigators.

From sparrow-sized species to giants with wingspans over 10 meters, pterosaurs were the undisputed rulers of the Mesozoic skies. Their remarkable adaptations illustrate the evolutionary ingenuity of Pterosauria, making them one of the most fascinating groups of prehistoric flying reptiles.