The Fascinating World of Pterosaurs: Flying Reptiles Not Dinosaurs

TLDR Pterosaurs, flying reptiles from the same era as dinosaurs, were not birds or dinosaurs themselves. They had unique features like head crests and long antennae, and were built for endurance rather than speed.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Pterosaurs were flying reptiles, not dinosaurs, with a wingspan akin to an F-16 fighter jet and were around the same time as dinosaurs.
04:28 Pterosaurs were not birds or dinosaurs, and there were actual flying dinosaurs called velociraptors that existed millions of years before birds and bats.
09:05 Pterosaurs were first discovered in Germany in the 18th century, and initially mistaken for seafaring creatures until Georges Cuvier correctly identified them as winged lizards with long pinky fingers.
14:00 The purpose and use of pterosaurs' unique features, such as their head crests and long antennae, is still largely unknown due to the scarcity of fossils, but it is believed that the head crests were primarily used by males for display and attracting mates, similar to peacocks and antlers in deer or moose, and that some pterosaurs had the ability to fly long distances over the ocean and scoop up marine life with their jaws, similar to pelicans.
18:22 Pterosaurs were not limited to eating seafood, but instead had a diverse diet that included tiny dinosaurs, and they were able to fly long distances and were built for endurance rather than speed.
22:50 Pterosaurs evolved from small, light lizards that were good at jumping, and their initial lift when taking off comes from their strong arms and shoulders rather than their legs.
27:48 Pterosaurs evolved from having long tails to steer in the air to developing other methods of changing their flight dynamics, such as altering the angle of their wrist bone or moving their ankle, and they had hollow bones that were about a millimeter thick but were made of cross sections of plywood-like material, making them strong yet lightweight.
32:16 The hosts discuss their experience flying on a private jet and how it eliminates the hassle of airports and long waits, but ultimately isn't life-changing.
36:25 Pterosaur research is currently in a golden age, with new discoveries and advancements in understanding, and the paleontologist community studying them is known for being competitive and backbitey.
Categories: Society & Culture

Browse more Society & Culture