PTEROSAUR FOSSILS & TEETH (SOLNHOFEN)

Pterosaurs are extinct flying reptiles of the Order Pterosauria. They existed from 228 to 66 million years ago and occupied environments worldwide. They were the first vertebrates to take flight! 85 genera encompass 110 known species, with wingspans ranging from 10 inches to 40 feet. Their fossils are generally rare in the fossil record because their bones were quite fragile and preserved poorly.

Often, individual pterosaur teeth are found as fossils. These small teeth tend to be thin, sharp, and needle-like as they were used to grasp slippery fish. Their exact shapes can vary greatly on positions in the mouth.