# The Order of Pterosauria (DD-203)

> Pterosaurs (order Pterosauria) were flying reptiles, close relatives of dinosaurs but not dinosaurs themselves. They were the first vertebrates known to have evolved powered flight, on wings of skin stretched along a hugely long fourth finger. Pteranodon lived in North America about 86 to 84.5 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous. Adult males had wingspans of about 5.6 to 6 m or more, with some estimates near 7 m, and a long, backward-pointing crest. It flew over the sea and ate fish. The footage shows pterosaur reconstructions, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2024-01-29
- Last updated: 2024-01-29
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-order-of-pterosauria/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-203-F01**: Pterosaurs were flying reptiles. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Flying reptiles))_
- **DD-203-F02**: They were close relatives, not dinosaurs. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Not dinosaurs))_

## Write-up

Pterosaurs flew, but they weren't dinosaurs. Pteranodon's wingspan reached about 6 to 7 m.

1. **Flying reptiles**: Pterosaurs were flying reptiles.
2. **Not dinosaurs**: They were close relatives, not dinosaurs.
3. **Finger wing**: Their wings were stretched along one finger.
4. **Pteranodon**: Pteranodon lived 86 to 84.5 million years ago.
5. **Wingspan**: Large males spanned about 6 m or more.

## Related case files

- [Eagles (DD-124)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/eagles/): I linked another master of the air
- [The Cretaceous King (DD-202)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-cretaceous-king/): I linked a true dinosaur of the same era

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Roughly 88 to 75 million years ago': Pteranodon fossils date to about 86 to 84.5 million years ago.

## Video: The Order of Pterosauria: Pterosaurs Flew, but They Weren't Dinosaurs

- Duration: 33.5 s · Published: 2024-01-29
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C2thRY_uzr9.mp4

### Transcript

Pterodactyls, often incorrectly referred to as dinosaurs, were actually flying reptiles from the order Pterosauria. DID YOU KNOW? One of the most iconic members of this group was Pteranodon, which lived during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 88 to 75 million years ago. Pteranodon had a remarkable wingspan, with some individuals reaching up to 23 feet, or 7 meters. These ancient fliers had a distinctive crest at the back of their heads, and they were well adapted for a life of blighting and soaring over the seas. Despite their impressive size, Pteranodons were not dinosaurs, they belonged to a separate branch of the reptile family tree. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Were pterosaurs dinosaurs?**  
A: A separate branch. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flying reptiles) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur)_

**Q: What supported their wings?**  
A: A skin membrane. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Not dinosaurs) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur)_

**Q: When did Pteranodon live?**  
A: Late Cretaceous. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Finger wing) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur)_

**Q: How wide were big males?**  
A: Some estimates near 7 m. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pteranodon) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon)_

**Q: What did Pteranodon eat?**  
A: Over the sea. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Wingspan) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Pterosaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterosaur)
- [Wikipedia: Pteranodon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteranodon)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Order of Pterosauria." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-203, last updated Jan 29, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-order-of-pterosauria/