Dimorphodon, a flying reptile from the Early Jurassic period, lived approximately 201 to 191 million years ago. This medium-sized pterosaur, named by paleontologist Richard Owen in 1859, inhabited regions primarily in what is now England. Its name, derived from Greek, means “two-form tooth,” reflecting its unique dental structure. Dimorphodon possessed a large head, a short but robust neck, and a long tail with around thirty vertebrae. With a wingspan typically ranging from 1.45 to 1.7 meters, its size was comparable to a large modern-day crow.
The Dimorphodon Diet
Dimorphodon’s diet has been a subject of scientific discussion, with various interpretations emerging. Early studies suggested it was either an insectivore (consuming insects) or a piscivore (primarily eating fish), but more recent research indicates Dimorphodon likely hunted small vertebrates. The consumption of softer invertebrates, such as larger insects, cannot be entirely ruled out. This suggests a varied diet that could have included a range of prey available in its environment. Some paleontologists propose its diet also encompassed small mammals and other small reptiles.
Dimorphodon’s habitat offers clues to its feeding habits. Fossil discoveries suggest it lived mainly in coastal and marshy environments. These regions provided abundant food sources, including various fish and diverse invertebrates. Its jaw musculature was adapted for a “snap and hold” feeding method, allowing it to close its jaws quickly but with little force. This adaptation points towards prey that could be easily grasped rather than requiring powerful biting or tearing.
Anatomical and Environmental Clues
Paleontologists deduce Dimorphodon’s diet by examining its anatomical features and the environmental context of its fossil discoveries. Its heterodont dentition, meaning it had two different shapes of teeth, is a notable characteristic. The front of its jaws featured larger, pointed, fang-like teeth, well-suited for grasping slippery prey like fish or small vertebrates. Towards the back, it possessed many smaller, flatter, lancet-shaped teeth, which might have been used for crushing or grinding. This dual dental structure implies an ability to process a diverse range of food items.
The skull of Dimorphodon also provides insights into its feeding behavior. It had a deep, broad skull with large eye sockets, suggesting good vision was important for spotting prey. While its jaw could close rapidly, its weak biting force indicates a preference for smaller or softer prey. Microscopic wear patterns on its teeth, examined in recent studies, support its classification as a vertebrate predator, but do not exclude the possibility of it eating softer invertebrates. Dimorphodon fossils found in Early Jurassic coastal deposits of Europe, particularly along England’s Jurassic Coast, reinforce the idea that its diet was tied to the resources available in these marine-influenced settings. Such environments are rich in both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, along with small fish, aligning with the varied diet inferred from its anatomy.