Pterosaur Skulls Page 2

In cases of exceptional preservation, the internal structure of the skull can be analyzed and a cast made. The resulting endocast reveals the structure and overall shape of a Pterosaur brain. The braincase is relatively large and the overall brain weight compares favorably with that of birds.

The optic lobes are large which indicates that pterosaurian eye sight was well developed. Conversely the olfactory lobes are small and smell must not have been overly depended upon.

Pterodactyloid brains were significantly larger the Rhamphorhynchoids; this could be explained by the need for increased skill in fine wing adjustments with the loss of the tail.

Previous Next © Patrick Lyons 1998.