Pterosaur Skulls Page 1

Perhaps the most impressive feature of pterosaurs and certainly the most striking is their large skull. The skull often encompasses greater than 50% of the total body length. It is through detailed examination of Pterosaur skulls that conclusions can be drawn with regards to their intelligence, social behavior, senses, and ecological niche.

Rhamphorhynchus.
While the skull is extremely large for a flying animal it is exceedingly light. The bones of the skull are extremely thin; often no more than a few millimeters thick. In addition to the normal openings for nostrils and eyes there is a third opening located between the two other openings. The purpose of this third opening is not quite certain, but it is probable that it played a role in reducing the weight of the skull.

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© Patrick Lyons 1998.