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Pterodactyl Facts & Worksheets

Pterodactyls, also called pterosaurs or flying dinosaurs, were flying reptiles that existed roughly 228 to 66 million years ago, also known as the Mesozoic era. They had wings made of skin, kind of like bats.

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Pterodactyls, also called pterosaurs or flying dinosaurs, were flying reptiles that existed roughly 228 to 66 million years ago, also known as the Mesozoic era. They had wings made of skin, kind of like bats. Pterodactyls came in different sizes, from tiny to huge, with wingspans up to 30 feet. Their existence helps us learn about how animals flew and lived way back when.

See the fact file below for more information about Pterodactyls, or you can download our 27-page Pterodactyls worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CLASSIFICATION

  • Pterosaurs are part of the reptile family.
  • Reptiles, including snakes, turtles, and crocodiles, have scaly skin, lay eggs, and usually depend on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
  • Pterosaurs are an extinct clade that belongs to the Archosauria subclass, also known as ruling reptiles, which includes dinosaurs and their extinct close relatives.
  • Archosaurs have certain specific skeletal features in common, like a hole behind the eye socket and a particular type of ankle joint.
  • While pterosaurs flew around during the time of the dinosaurs, they are not actually considered dinosaurs themselves.

DISCOVERY

  • The first pterodactyl specimen, now known as Pterodactylus antiquus, was discovered in Bavaria’s Solnhofen limestone during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150.8 to 148.5 million years ago.
  • Italian scientist Cosimo Alessandro Collini described the specimen in 1784 at Mannheim’s “Naturalien Kabinett.”
  • At first, Collini was unsure what the fossil was but speculated that it might be a sea creature.
  • German scientist Johann Hermann put forward the idea that it was a furry mammal that could fly, which was supported by Georges Cuvier.
  • In the early 19th century, Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring named the species Ornithocephalus antiquus and provided a life restoration of what it looked like.
  • Cuvier disagreed with Hermann and said the fossil was actually a reptile.
  • Another specimen of Pterodactylus was discovered in Solnhofen in 1817, and von Sömmerring described it as the Ornithocephalus brevirostris.
  • The generic name Ptéro-Dactyle was changed to Pterodactylus in 1815.
  • Common assumptions about Pterodactylus were that it was furry, warm-blooded, and had a wing covering its ankle.
  • Richard Lydekker designated Pterodactylus antiquus as the type species in 1888.

EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY

  • Pterosaurs, the ancestors of pterodactyls, began appearing in the Late Triassic period.
  • Pterodactyls began to evolve and develop their unique features during the Early Jurassic period, then spread out and adapted to different environments in the Middle to Late Jurassic periods.
  • Pterodactyls became some of the most common flying reptiles during the Early Cretaceous period.
  • Towards the end of the Cretaceous period, the number of different pterodactyl species decreased, most likely because of environmental changes or competition from other animals.

ANATOMY AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Pterodactyls had unique features that helped them fly well.
  • They had very big wingspans, some even as long as 30 feet.
  • An adult pterodactyl had wings about 1.04 meters wide.
  • Their wings were supported by a long finger and a membrane, like bats, which let them fly and move smoothly in the air.
  • Their bones were lightweight but strong because they were filled with air and had parts that joined firmly.
  • Pterodactyls also had different types of teeth; some were long and pointy for catching prey, while others were for eating food like fish or bugs. They had about 90 sharp teeth that went back in both jaws.
  • Pterodactyls had straight skulls and jaws, unlike similar flying reptiles with curved jaws.
  • Their brains were also huge, implying that they were intelligent creatures.
  • They also had large chest bones, which helped their muscles attach better and made flying easier. 
  • Some might have had furry skin to keep warm, but there is no recorded proof of that.

HABITAT AND BEHAVIOR

  • Pterodactyls lived in various places, such as by the coast, in forests, and on open plains during the time of dinosaurs.
  • They were good at flying because they had light but strong bones, large wings, and strong muscles. 
  • These helped them fly effortlessly, hunt for food, and stay away from bigger creatures that might try to eat them.
  • When it came to flying, pterodactyls were great hunters.
  • They could glide long distances and dive, catching prey using their sharp teeth and claws.
  • Some were fast fliers, while others were better at moving around in the air.
  • Pterodactyls likely had different ways of living together. Some might have lived alone, while others formed pairs or small groups.
  • They probably communicated with each other through sounds or maybe by showing off their crests or colors.
  • In their habitats, pterodactyls could be believed to have competed with other flying reptiles or birds for food and places to live.
  • They also had to watch out for larger predators like dinosaurs and marine reptiles that might have tried to eat them. 
  • But they were not just prey; they also could have helped keep the habitat balanced by hunting.

DIET, BREEDING, AND DAILY ACTIVITIES

  • Because of its tooth shape, size, and arrangement, scientists have long known that Pterodactylus was a carnivore that mainly ate small animals.
  • Pterodactylus antiquus likely bred seasonally and grew consistently. 
  • Each year, new young pterodactylus would hatch and grow.
  • The smallest group consisted of Pterodactylus less than a year old, while the next group was about one to two years old. 
  • This growth pattern resembles modern crocodiles more than birds.
  • By looking at the eye rings of Pterodactylus antiquus and comparing them to those of birds and reptiles today, scientists think it likely that they are diurnal creatures, meaning they were active during the day. 

TYPES OF SPECIES

  • Over 150 Pterosaurs species have been discovered, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
  • Some of the most popular types include:
    • Pterodactylus antiquus – small creatures that were one of the first species to be studied by scientists.
    • Pteranodon longiceps – had a big crest on its head, long jaws, and wide wings.
    • Rhamphorhynchus muensteri – had a long tail and a big head crest.
    • Anhanguera blittersdorfi – had a long snout with a big bony crest at the end.
    • Quetzalcoatlus northropi – one of the biggest pterosaurs ever discovered.
    • Dimorphodon macronyx – small to medium-sized and had a cool crest on its head.
    • Pterodaustro guinazui – had a long, flamingo-like beak.

Pterodactyl Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Pterodactyls across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Pterodactyls. They had wings made of skin, kind of like bats. Pterodactyls came in different sizes, from tiny to huge, with wingspans up to 30 feet. Their existence helps us learn about how animals flew and lived way back when.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Pterodactyl Facts
  2. About Pterodactyls
  3. Ptero-Search
  4. Ptero or False?
  5. Is it a Pterodactyl?
  6. Point Out Parts
  7. Differentiate Archosaurs
  8. Form a Fable
  9. Paleontologist Profiles
  10. Movie Magic
  11. Pterodactyl Recap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pterodactyl?

A pterodactyl, scientifically known as a pterosaur, was a flying reptile that lived during the Mesozoic Era, alongside dinosaurs. It is often depicted with a long, pointed beak, a large wingspan, and a membranous wing structure.

When did pterodactyls exist?

Pterodactyls existed during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods, approximately 150 to 66 million years ago. They were among the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight.

How big were pterodactyls?

Pterodactyls varied in size, ranging from small species with wingspans as small as a few feet to larger ones with wingspans exceeding 30 feet. The largest known species, like Quetzalcoatlus, were among the largest flying animals ever to exist.

What did pterodactyls eat?

Pterodactyls were primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish, small vertebrates, and possibly scavenging on carrion. Some species may have also been insectivorous, feeding on insects captured while in flight.

How did pterodactyls fly?

Pterodactyls flew using powered flight, propelled by flapping their wings. Their wings were supported by a long fourth finger, with a membrane stretching between it and the body, similar to the structure of a bat’s wing. They likely used a combination of soaring and flapping flight, much like modern birds.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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