Pteranodon vs. Pterodactyl: Comparing Non-dinosaur Species

First things first: Pteranodons and pterodactyls are not dinosaurs. They belong to a different group entirely, known as the pterosaur order.

These winged reptiles ruled the skies during the Mesozoic Era alongside dinosaurs, but they evolved on their own path. Think of them as the aerial cousins in the dinosaur family reunion — related, but clearly doing their own thing.

Despite often being called flying dinosaurs, pterosaurs are technically not classified within the group dinosaurs belong to. However, they did share habitats with other dinosaurs and played a key role in the animal community of their time.

Piecing Together Pterosaur Lineage

These pterosaurs are best understood through the fossil record, which includes a range of pterosaur fossils like skull bones and articulated skeletons.

The discovery of only one species in some fossil layers has raised debates over whether certain pterosaurs are actually different species or variations of the same species.

When scientists analyze fossil remains like complete skulls or upper arm bones, these questions become central to understanding how flying reptiles evolved.

Pteranodon is one of the most famous pterosaur genera and lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 86 to 84.5 million years ago.

What Did Pteranodons Look Like?

A large pterosaur by any standard, it boasted an estimated adult wingspan of over 20 feet (6 meters) and had powerful flight muscles anchored to an enormous breastbone (sternum) that supported long-distance flight.

Its most defining features include a long beak, toothless jaws and a dramatic cranial crest. These bony crests may have played a role in species recognition or aerodynamics, with adult males often exhibiting larger crests than adult females.

Pteranodon Fossils

Some fossil specimens also show wide pelvic canals in females, possibly linked to egg-laying adaptations. Pteranodon longiceps, a specific species in this order, is known for its upright crest and streamlined skull.

The fossil record includes nearly complete skulls, articulated skeletons, and other fossil remains.

These have given paleontologists insights into features like the upper arm bones, hind limbs, and narrow hips. One specimen even preserved the winged finger structure that supported their skin and muscle membrane wings.

These adaptations made Pteranodon a formidable member of the larger clade of flying reptiles.

A Seriously Big Flyer

Pteranodon is considered one of the larger flying reptiles (though it was significantly smaller than azhdarchids such as Quetzalcoatlus).

Some researchers believe that the combination of its powerful flight muscles and lightweight bone structure allowed it to travel long distances over prehistoric seas, hunting small animals that drifted near the water’s surface.

These behaviors draw interesting comparisons to modern birds, although they belong to different evolutionary lineages.

The term "pterodactyl" is often used to refer to all pterosaurs, but technically it points to a specific genus: Pterodactylus. This genus lived during the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, making it an older species than Pteranodon.

Pterodactylus is the only known species in its genus and was one of the first pterosaurs identified in the fossil record.

What Did Pterodactyls Look Like?

Pterodactylus had a body length of about 3.5 feet (1 meter), a long neck and a skull crest. Unlike Pteranodon, it had teeth, which is why pterodactyl fossils often feature distinct skull bones and tooth impressions.

These small but agile flyers likely preyed on small animals — such as fish and invertebrates — using their sharp teeth and swift maneuvers.

Hints From Pterodactylus Fossils

Fossil specimens of Pterodactylus include some of the most complete skulls known, providing insights into its rounded head crests and narrow skeletal frame.

Some evidence suggests that pterosaurs, including Pterodactylus, used their membranous wings for both gliding and powered flight, though their flight mechanics differed significantly from those of modern birds.

Pterodactylus also had hind limbs adapted for landing and movement on land. The combination of physical features and fossil preservation has made it a cornerstone in the study of winged reptiles.

Although often lumped together in dinosaur media, Pteranodon and Pterodactylus belong to different genera and represent two distinct branches within the larger clade of pterosaurs. Pteranodon existed millions of years after Pterodactylus and was significantly larger.

Key differences include:

Both genera are part of the larger clade of pterosaurs, which includes many other pterosaurs that filled various ecological roles during the Mesozoic Era. Some were small and nimble, while others, like Quetzalcoatlus, were among the largest flying reptiles ever.

Pterosaur fossils range from fragmentary bones to nearly complete skeletons. They show adaptations like the winged finger that supported flight membranes, long beaks, long necks and features suited for different diets and lifestyles.

The fossil record also includes evidence from other pterosaurs with similar anatomical features, which helps paleontologists understand how flying reptiles adapted to different environments over millions of years.

The discovery of only one species in some pterosaur genera suggests that extreme specialization may have limited their diversity. This supports the idea that despite surface similarities, pterosaur comparisons must account for traits across different species and genera.

Pterosaur fossils continue to puzzle and amaze scientists. Some studies in publications like the Zoological Journal and the Geological Society suggest that what we thought were two species might be just variations within only one species, or vice versa.

That means the classification of these winged reptiles is still evolving.

Thanks to fossil remains and data from natural history museums, researchers are piecing together how these animals lived, hunted and soared. From adult males with large crests to adult females with wide pelvic canals, every detail helps paint a clearer picture.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.