Darwinopterus | 3D Dinopedia

Darwinopterus

Period of life:

161 – 160 million years ago

Period:

Jurassic period

Habitat:

Floodplains

Taxonomy:

Pterosaurs

Height:

0.5 m

Countries:

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Jurassic period Darwinopterus | 3D Dinopedia

Darwinopterus (161 – 160 million years ago)

What the Name Means: “Darwin’s Wing”

Darwinopterus is a remarkable creature that lived in the mid-Jurassic, about 160 million years ago. This flying reptile—a pterosaur—was discovered in what is now China and was named in honour of the great biologist Charles Darwin.

Darwinopterus looked rather unusual. Imagine a crow-sized animal with a long, slender tail and large, leathery wings. It had an elongated head equipped with sharp teeth that were perfect for catching insects. One of its most striking features was a bony crest on the head, probably used to attract mates or to display status.

Researchers believe Darwinopterus was an excellent flier. Its wings were long and narrow, allowing agile manoeuvring in the air. Like modern birds, its bones were hollow, which made it light and helped save energy in flight.

Darwinopterus most likely inhabited forests where food was plentiful. Its sharp teeth were ideally suited to catching insects, which probably formed the bulk of its diet, though it may also have hunted small lizards or amphibians.

Its natural enemies may have included larger pterosaurs or predatory dinosaurs of the time, yet Darwinopterus could easily escape danger thanks to its ability to fly.

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