Scaphognathus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scaphognathus |
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| Cast of the holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Pterosauria |
| Family: | †Rhamphorhynchidae |
| Subfamily: | †Scaphognathinae |
| Genus: | †Scaphognathus Wagner, 1861 |
| Type species | |
| †Pterodactylus crassirostris Goldfuss, 1831
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Scaphognathus (say "SCAF-og-NAY-thus") was a type of flying reptile called a pterosaur. It lived a very long time ago, during the Upper Jurassic period. This was about 155 to 150 million years ago! Its fossils were found in a famous place in Germany called the Solnhofen Limestone.
Scaphognathus had wings that stretched about one meter wide. That's about the length of a baseball bat! It also had a long tail that ended in a shape like a leaf. This leaf-shaped tail probably helped it steer and balance while flying, much like a rudder helps a boat. Scientists think Scaphognathus flew mostly during the day. Another pterosaur, Rhamphorhynchus, might have been more active at night.
What Did Scaphognathus Eat?
Scaphognathus was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. Its main food was a type of ancient fish called Pholidophorus. Imagine it swooping down to catch fish from the water!
Images for kids
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A. Goldfuss' illustration of the type specimen
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1905 restoration of Scaphognathus (right) and other pterosaurs
See Also
In Spanish: Scaphognathus para niños
