Actinofibril The fibre found in pterosaurs’ wings. Several layers of actinofibrils stretched across the wings, stiffening them, thus making flying easier.

Anurognathus A small pterosaur from the Triassic Period. With a wingspan of 35 centimetres (14 inches), it was the smallest known pterosaur. It had a short tail, long skull and sharp, pointed teeth. It probably ate insects.

Azhdarchids A family of pterosaurs of the pterodactly group, mostly from the Late Cretaceous. It includes some of the largest flying animals ever discovered, such as Azhdarcho, Quetzalcoatlus and Hatzegopteryx, as well as some smaller, cat-size species. Azhdarchids had long legs, extremely long necks, relatively large heads and long, spear-like jaws. They probably fed on small ground-living prey or scavenged on carcasses.

Dimorphodon A small pterosaur from the Early Jurassic Period with a long, pointed tail and wingspan of 1.4 metres (4.6 feet). Like all members of the rhamphorhynch family, it had a disproportionately large head, which was also deep and narrow like a puffin’s. For a male, the size and colouring of its head may have played a crucial role in impressing a female during courtship.

Dsungaripterus A pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Period with a wingspan of about three metres (10 feet). Dsungaripterus had a bony crest on its snout and an upward-curving beak, probably used to prise shellfish off rocks. Blunt teeth at the back of its jaws would have been used to break shellfish open.

Eudimorphodon A small pterosaur from the Late Triassic with a wingspan of just under 1 metre (39 inches) and a long, pointed tail. Eudimorphodon used its sharp teeth to eat fish.

Ornithocheirus A pterosaur from the Cretaceous Period with a wingspan of 6 metres (19 feet). Ornithocheirus had a “keel” at the end of its toothed beak, which may have helped it to trap fish or crush crustaceans.

Pteranodon A Cretaceous pterosaur with a wingspan of up to 9 metres (30 feet). Pteranodon had a furry body and short tail. It probably fed like a modern pelican, scooping fish from the water and swallowing them whole.

Pterodactyls One of the two main types of pterosaur. Their name means “wing finger”. Pterodactyls had very short tails. They first appeared during the Middle Jurassic. Pterodactyls included Pteranodon, Pterodactylus, Quetzalcoatlus, Dsungaripterus and Tupuxuara.

Pterodactylus A small pterosaur from the Late Jurassic with a wingspan of between 50 centimetres and 1 metre (roughly 1.5–3 feet). Pterodactylus preyed on fish and small animals, but also scavenged on carrion. While on land, it got about on all fours, using its claws to help it climb.

Pteroid bone A bone found only in the wrist joints of pterosaurs. It pointed forwards and inwards to support the pterosaur’s wings and assist with steering in flight.

Quetzalcoatlus A large azhdarchid pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous. With a wingspan of around 11 metres (36 feet), it was one of the largest pterosaurs. Quetzalcoatlus had a long, toothless jaw, a curved neck and a hard crest on its head. 

Pterosaurs A group of flying reptiles that first took to the air in the Triassic Period. They dominated the skies for nearly 100 million years. They ranged in size from a few centimetres to nearly 12 metres (39 feet) across. Their wings were formed from sheets of skin stretched between their fourth fingers and their bodies. Their bones were hollow, making them light enough to fly. Many had powerful, toothed beaks, perfect for seizing fish. There were two main types of pterosaur: the short-tailed pterodactyls and the long-tailed rhamphorhynchs.

Rhamphorhynchs One of the two main types of pterosaur. Their name means “beak snout”. Rhamphorhynchs had long tails, ending in a diamond-shaped flap of skin. Their long, narrow jaws were filled with sharp teeth that pointed outwards. They first appeared in the Triassic Period. They included Rhamphorhynchus, Eudimorphodon and Dimorphodon.

Tapejara A medium-sized pterosaur from the Cretaceous Period. Tapejara had a short tail and a wingspan of up to 5 metres (16 feet). There was a large, bright crest on its head, made of skin stretched across two bones. This crest may have been used for courtship displays, to attract a mate or ward off rivals.

Consultant: Chris Jarvis