The Pterodactyl is one of the most well-known flying reptiles from the Mesozoic Era. However, the name "pterodactyl" is often used incorrectly. What many people refer to as a pterodactyl is actually Pterodactylus, a specific genus of pterosaurs, the flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs.
So, how big was a pterodactyl? The answer depends on which species of pterosaur we are talking about, as their sizes varied greatly. Some were as small as a modern seagull, while others had wingspans wider than a small airplane. Let’s explore the different sizes of pterodactyls and their relatives.
How Big Was Pterodactylus?
The scientific name Pterodactylus refers to a specific genus of pterosaurs, which was one of the first pterosaurs ever discovered. It was relatively small compared to other pterosaurs.
Size of Pterodactylus
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Wingspan: Around 3 to 3.5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters)
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Body Length: About 2 feet (0.6 meters)
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Weight: Estimated at 2 to 10 pounds (1 to 5 kg)
Compared to later pterosaurs, Pterodactylus was one of the smaller species. It was lightweight and probably a skilled flyer, catching fish and insects near coastal regions.
Largest Pterosaurs: Giant Relatives of Pterodactylus
Although Pterodactylus itself was small, other pterosaurs evolved into much larger species. Some of the largest pterosaurs ever discovered had wingspans as wide as school buses!
Notable Large Pterosaurs and Their Sizes
1. Quetzalcoatlus – The Largest Flying Reptile
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Wingspan: Up to 36 feet (11 meters)
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Height: Around 18 feet (5.5 meters) (as tall as a giraffe)
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Weight: Estimated 440 to 550 pounds (200 to 250 kg)
Quetzalcoatlus was one of the largest pterosaurs ever. It was as tall as a giraffe and had a wingspan similar to a small airplane. Despite its large size, scientists believe it was capable of powered flight and could also walk on land.
2. Hatzegopteryx – A Colossal Predator
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Wingspan: Around 33 feet (10 meters)
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Height: Estimated at 15 feet (4.5 meters)
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Weight: Likely around 500 pounds (225 kg)
This pterosaur was another giant, similar in size to Quetzalcoatlus. It lived in what is now Romania and was likely a terrestrial hunter, meaning it could walk on the ground and hunt small dinosaurs.
3. Pteranodon – A Famous Large Pterosaur
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Wingspan: 18 to 25 feet (5.5 to 7.5 meters)
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Body Length: 6 feet (1.8 meters)
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Weight: 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23 kg)
Unlike Quetzalcoatlus and Hatzegopteryx, Pteranodon was a fish-eating pterosaur that lived near coastlines. It had a long, toothless beak and was one of the most well-known flying reptiles from the Late Cretaceous Period.
Smallest Pterosaurs: Tiny Flyers of the Mesozoic
Not all pterosaurs were giants. Some were very small, about the size of modern birds.
Notable Small Pterosaurs and Their Sizes
1. Nemicolopterus – The Smallest Known Pterosaur
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Wingspan: Around 10 inches (25 cm)
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Body Length: 4 inches (10 cm)
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Weight: Only a few ounces
This tiny pterosaur was discovered in China and is considered one of the smallest flying reptiles ever. Scientists believe it lived in forests, possibly using its small size to maneuver through trees.
2. Anurognathus – A Nighttime Insect Hunter
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Wingspan: Around 1.5 feet (50 cm)
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Body Length: 6 inches (15 cm)
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Weight: Estimated at a few ounces
This small, bat-like pterosaur had large eyes, suggesting it was nocturnal and hunted insects at night. It likely lived in dense forests, catching flying prey in midair.
How Did Pterosaurs Compare to Modern Birds?
While pterosaurs were not dinosaurs, they share similarities with modern birds and bats in terms of flight adaptations. However, there were some key differences:
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Pterosaurs had membranous wings, like bats, rather than feathered wings.
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They had lightweight bones, just like birds, which helped them stay airborne.
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Some pterosaurs walked on all fours when on the ground, unlike most modern birds.
Pterosaurs dominated the skies of the Mesozoic Era, filling many ecological roles that today are occupied by birds.
Could a Pterodactyl Carry a Human?
One common question is whether a giant pterosaur could have lifted a human like in movies. The answer is no. Even the largest pterosaurs, like Quetzalcoatlus, were lightweight for their size, and their bodies were built for flight efficiency, not strength.
A human weighing 150 pounds (70 kg) would be too heavy for any known pterosaur to lift, as their flight muscles were not designed for carrying large loads.
The size of a pterodactyl (or more accurately, Pterodactylus) was relatively small, with a wingspan of about 3 to 3.5 feet (1 meter). However, pterosaurs as a group varied greatly in size, from tiny species with wingspans under 1 foot to giants like Quetzalcoatlus, which had a wingspan of up to 36 feet.
These fascinating flying reptiles were some of the most incredible creatures of the Mesozoic Era. While they are often confused with dinosaurs, they were actually a separate group of reptiles that evolved unique adaptations for flight.
Whether soaring over prehistoric oceans or hunting in ancient forests, pterosaurs played a crucial role in their ecosystems and continue to capture the imagination of scientists and the public today.