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

Location: Elrhaz Formation, Niger, Africa

Weight: 0.3 Ounces 

Dimension: 1.2 Inches Long, 0.2 Inches Wide

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Upper Cretaceous 96 Million Years Old

 Name: Pterosaur

Type: Carnivore

Size: 10 to 12 meters in length

Pterosaurs were extraordinary flying reptiles of the extinct group Pterosauria, soaring above the Earth during the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods (228–66 million years ago). They are recognized as the first vertebrates capable of powered flight, predating birds by millions of years and displaying a remarkable array of adaptations for life in the air.

Pterosaur wings were formed from a skin-and-muscle membrane stretched from the elongated fourth finger to the hind limbs, allowing these reptiles to glide, maneuver, and launch into flight with precision. Early species had long tails and toothed jaws, which were ideal for capturing fish and small prey, while later species evolved shorter tails and toothless beaks, showing dietary and aerodynamic specialization.

The pterosaur skeleton was uniquely built for flight. Their hollow, air-filled bones reduced weight while maintaining strength, and thin bone walls increased flexibility. A keeled breastbone anchored powerful flight muscles, and an enlarged brain enabled complex flight control and coordination.

Pterosaurs ranged from small, sparrow-sized species to giants with wingspans exceeding 10 meters, making them the largest flying animals in Earth’s history. Their evolution highlights how vertebrates adapted to conquer the skies, becoming some of the most fascinating and efficient Mesozoic flying reptiles.