Pterosaur Wing Phalanx

Pterosaur Wing Phalanx Age: 92 / 98 Million Years Old Cretaceous Era Species: Anhanguera Specimen: Wing Phalanx Discovered: Kem Kem, Morocco  Measures Roughly 5' Long   Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era, from about 228 million to 66 million years ago. They were not actually dinosaurs, but a separate group of reptiles that evolved the ability to fly. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, and they were incredibly diverse, with over 150 known species.   Pterosaurs ranged in size from small creatures the size of sparrows to giants with wingspans of over 30 feet. Their wings were made up of a thin membrane of skin, muscle, and other tissues that stretched from their elongated fourth fingers to their ankles. They had hollow bones and a keeled sternum, which allowed them to be lightweight and efficient flyers.   Pterosaurs were incredibly successful animals, with a range of adaptations that allowed them to exploit a variety of niches. Some pterosaurs were adapted for catching fish, while others were scavengers or even predators of other pterosaurs. Despite their success, all pterosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, along with the non-avian dinosaurs. The exact cause of their extinction is still a subject of debate among scientists.