Ancient Species

Pterosaurs

The first flying reptile, or pterosaurs, appeared early in the Jurassic Period (about 210 million years ago). The first pterosaurs had long pointed heads with well-developed teeth and tails much longer than their bodies. This type died out at the end of the Jurassic Period (about 145 million years ago).

Short-tailed pterosaurs appeared late in the Jurassic Period (213 to 144 million years ago) and lived during the Cretaceous Period (144 to 66.4 million years ago). They had only a stub of a tail and delicate teeth which had disappeared altogether in later species. Later species had long beaks and bonny crests. they ranged from the size of sparrows up to wing spans of 25 feet.

Pterosaurs disappeared in the "great extinction" at the end of the Cretaceous Period (about 66.4 million years ago).