Pterosaurs were a group of flying reptiles that lived during the time of the dinosaurs. They were the first vertebrates to develop powered flight, taking to the skies millions of years before birds or bats. These creatures were not dinosaurs, but a distinct and closely related group of reptiles. Pterosaur skeletons were highly adapted for flight, with lightweight, hollow bones similar to those of modern birds, and large breastbones to anchor powerful flight muscles.
Understanding “Pterodactyl”
The term “pterodactyl” is widely used in popular culture as a catch-all for any of these ancient flying reptiles. Scientifically, however, the name refers to a specific genus called Pterodactylus. This particular pterosaur was one of the first to be discovered and identified, leading to its name becoming a common shorthand for the entire group. For this specific animal, the answer is yes; Pterodactylus did have teeth.
Fossil evidence shows that Pterodactylus possessed a set of small, cone-shaped teeth, primarily located at the front of its long, slender jaws. The genus had a relatively low number of teeth, around 90 in total, which were straight and became progressively smaller further back in the jaw. This dental structure suggests a diet of small fish and other invertebrates, which it could snatch from the air or water.
A Spectrum of Teeth Among Pterosaurs
Moving beyond Pterodactylus, the broader group of pterosaurs displayed a diversity in their dental features. The presence, absence, and type of teeth varied significantly from one species to another, reflecting a wide array of feeding strategies. Early pterosaurs tended to have teeth, which were often varied in shape even within the same jaw, a condition known as heterodonty.
Over their long evolutionary history, a noticeable trend in some pterosaur lineages was the reduction and eventual loss of teeth. Later groups, particularly within the suborder Pterodactyloidea, saw many members evolve toothless beaks. This transition from toothed jaws to horny beaks mirrors the evolutionary path taken by modern birds.
Pterosaurs That Had Teeth
Many pterosaurs were equipped with teeth adapted for a specific diet. One prominent example is Rhamphorhynchus, a Jurassic pterosaur known for its long, needle-like, forward-pointing teeth at the tips of its jaws. These teeth interlocked when its mouth was closed, forming a trap for catching slippery prey like fish.
Another example is Dimorphodon, which lived during the Early Jurassic period. Its name means “two-form tooth,” which refers to its distinct dentition: long, fang-like teeth at the front of its jaws and much smaller, blade-like teeth at the back. This combination suggests a varied diet, possibly including insects or small terrestrial vertebrates in addition to fish.
The ctenochasmatids were another group of toothed pterosaurs with highly specialized dentition. Genera like Pterodaustro possessed a high number of bristle-like teeth, with some individuals having over a thousand. These teeth formed a dense sieve, leading scientists to conclude that these animals were filter-feeders, using their dental structure to strain small organisms from the water.
Pterosaurs That Lacked Teeth
A significant number of later pterosaurs evolved to be completely toothless. One of the most famous is Pteranodon, a large pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous. It had long, toothless jaws that formed a sharp, pointed beak, likely used for snatching fish from the surface of the Western Interior Seaway. The shape of its beak was well-suited for a diet of medium-sized fish, which it would have swallowed whole.
Another group of toothless pterosaurs, the azhdarchids, included the largest flying animals of all time, such as Quetzalcoatlus. These giants had exceptionally long necks and toothless, spear-like beaks. It is now thought they were terrestrial hunters, stalking small dinosaurs and other vertebrates on the ground, using their sharp beaks to pluck them up in a manner similar to modern storks.
Genera like Tapejara and Tupuxuara are known for their large and elaborate head crests, which were likely used for display. They also possessed short, deep, toothless beaks. The diet of these pterosaurs is still debated, but it may have included fruits, seeds, or small animals, making them the pterosaur equivalent of modern toucans or hornbills.