pterodactyls

Prehistoric winged lizards

Pterodactyls is the informal name for pterosaurs—the flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs.

Though technically pterodactyl refers to a specific genus, the word serves as the popular catch-all for any of these winged creatures: The museum has a pterodactyl skeleton with a twenty-foot wingspan.

The image of pterodactyls swooping through prehistoric skies remains a staple of dinosaur media.

paleontology

fossil

Preserved ancient organism

MesozoicAge of Reptiles
CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period

wingspan · excavation · skeleton · extinct · specimen · paleontologist · sediment · prehistoric · discovery · reconstruction

anatomy

wings

Limbs for flight

membraneThin tissue sheet
beakHorny avian mouthpart
crestHighest point or tuft

hollow bones · flight · toothless · furry · claws · lightweight · skull · vertebrae · pelvis · neck

popculture

Jurassic Park

Dinosaur amusement park catastrophe

RodanGiant prehistoric flying monster
creature featureFilm showcasing a beast
PetrieBritish archaeology surname

animation · monster · attack · swoop · screech · CGI · Godzilla · kaiju · toy · figurine

misconception

dinosaur

Extinct Mesozoic reptile

leatheryResembling animal hide
scalyCovered with thin plates
terrifyingEvoking extreme fear

giant · monstrous · carnosaur · Flintstones · caveman · coexistence · inaccuracy · myth · misidentification · depiction

pterodactyls

fossil

wings

Jurassic Park

dinosaur

pterodactyls

Opposites

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