The term “pterodactyl” is often used broadly to describe any flying reptile from the age of dinosaurs. Both the Pterodactylus and the Pteranodon belong to the Pterosauria, an order of winged reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs but were not dinosaurs themselves. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, and they dominated the skies of the Mesozoic Era. While both creatures are members of this larger group, they represent two distinct genera separated by millions of years of evolution and possessing vastly different physical features.
Clarifying the Names and Classification
The confusion largely stems from the common, informal use of the name “pterodactyl,” which technically refers to the genus Pterodactylus. Pterodactylus was one of the first pterosaurs identified in the fossil record, leading to its name being adopted as a general term for all flying reptiles. This specific genus, Pterodactylus, is currently represented by a single species, Pterodactylus antiquus, which lived during the Late Jurassic period.
In contrast, Pteranodon is a distinct genus of pterosaur that lived much later in the Cretaceous period. The name Pteranodon translates to “winged and toothless,” which hints at one of the most defining characteristics of this genus. Both Pterodactylus and Pteranodon are classified within the suborder Pterodactyloidea, which includes the more evolutionarily advanced, short-tailed pterosaurs.
Key Physical Distinctions
The most immediate difference between the two genera is their size, as Pteranodon was a truly colossal flyer compared to its earlier relative. The wingspan of Pterodactylus was relatively modest, rarely exceeding 3 to 5 feet. Conversely, Pteranodon was among the largest flying animals known, with adult wingspans reaching an impressive 20 to 23 feet.
A definitive anatomical distinction is the presence of teeth. Pterodactylus possessed numerous small, sharp, conical teeth lining its narrow jaws, suggesting a diet of small fish and invertebrates. In sharp contrast, Pteranodon was completely toothless, instead featuring a long, pointed beak used for scooping fish from the water.
The structure of the skull also provides a clear visual difference, particularly the cranial crest. Pteranodon is famous for its large, bony, backward-pointing occipital crest. This prominent structure likely served a purpose in sexual display or as an aerodynamic rudder during flight. Pterodactylus had a far less pronounced cranial feature, typically consisting of a small, low ridge.
Divergent Times and Habitats
The two genera were separated by a considerable gap in geological time, meaning they never coexisted. Pterodactylus soared through the skies of the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. Its fossils are primarily found in the Solnhofen limestone deposits of Bavaria, Germany, which were once ancient lagoon environments. This suggests Pterodactylus was an agile flyer adapted to hunting smaller prey near inland or coastal waters.
Pteranodon emerged much later, dominating the skies of the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 70 to 86 million years ago. The remains of Pteranodon are most famously found in the marine deposits of the Niobrara Formation in North America, a region that was once covered by the vast Western Interior Seaway. This geographical and fossil evidence shows Pteranodon was a pelagic creature, adapted for sustained flight over open ocean to hunt fish.