Dimorphodon
A medium-sized pterosaur with two tooth types and short wings.
- named_by
- Richard Owen
- location
- Europe (England; also Mexico for a separate species)
- length
- 1 metre (3.3 ft)
- wingspan
- 1.45 metres (4.6 ft)
- known_for
- Having two distinct types of teeth; short, robust wings suggesting poor flight ability
Lore & Background
An additional species, D. macronyx.
Reader's Guide
Dimorphodon holds significance as an early pterosaur with a mix of primitive and specialized traits. Its skull, with large openings and thin bony partitions, was noted by Richard Owen as an economical construction for strength with light weight. The animal's diet has been questioned: earlier interpretations depicted it as an insectivore or piscivore, but recent studies suggest it likely hunted small vertebrates, though it still consumed small invertebrates. Its flight ability was poor, with proportionally short wings and a robust skeleton offering little gliding potential; it probably relied on frantic short flights. The classification of Dimorphodon has been debated, with some analyses placing it in the basal group Dimorphodontidae, while others consider it less basal. Its fossils contribute to understanding pterosaur diversity and evolution in the Early Jurassic.
Did You Know?
- Dimorphodon means 'two-form tooth,' from Greek words for 'two,' 'shape,' and 'tooth.'
- Dimorphodon had a wingspan of 1.45 metres (4.6 ft) and a body length of 1 metre (3.3 ft).
- Recent studies suggest Dimorphodon likely hunted small vertebrates, though it also ate insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big was Dimorphodon?
The animal's body stretched to about one metre, and its wingspan reached roughly 1.45 metres. That places it firmly in the small-to-medium range among pterosaurs of its era.
What did Dimorphodon eat and how well could it fly?
Its two tooth types point toward a mixed diet rather than a single prey category, though paleontologists still argue over the specifics. Its short wings have also sparked ongoing debate about just how capable it was as a flier.
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