Dimorphodon macronyx

Overview

Dimorphodon was one of the earliest and most unusual pterosaurs ever discovered, living approximately 195-190 million years ago during the Early Jurassic in what is now England. With its oversized head, long beak full of different-shaped teeth, and tiny body, Dimorphodon looked like something from a fantasy movie—and it was one of the first flying reptiles to evolve!

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Taxonomy & Classification

• Order: Pterosauria
• Family: Dimorphodontidae
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Type: Early pterosaur

Remember: Pterosaurs were NOT dinosaurs—they were flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs!

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Physical Characteristics

Size & Build

• Wingspan: 1.4 meters (4.6 feet)
• Body Length: About 1 meter (3.3 feet)
• Weight: About 2 kg (4.4 lbs)
• Head Length: About 23 cm (9 inches)—huge for its body!

That Crazy Head!

Dimorphodon's most striking feature:

• Enormous head compared to tiny body
• Looked like a puffin's head on a small body!
• Skull was deep and narrow
• May have had a colorful beak for display
• Head was surprisingly lightweight despite size

Two Types of Teeth

The name "Dimorphodon" means "two-shaped tooth":

• Front teeth: Long, sharp fangs for grabbing
• Back teeth: Smaller, leaf-shaped teeth
• Perfect for eating different types of food
• Unlike later pterosaurs that lost their teeth

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Early Flyer

Primitive Pterosaur

Dimorphodon was an early model of pterosaur:

• Short wings compared to later pterosaurs
• Long tail with a diamond-shaped vane at the end
• Probably not a long-distance flyer
• May have been more of a glider and flapper
• Lived when pterosaurs were just getting started

Flight Style

• Probably flapped and glided in short bursts
• Used thermals (rising air) to stay aloft
• Not as specialized as later pterosaurs
• The long tail helped with steering and balance

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What Did It Eat?

Versatile Predator

Dimorphodon probably ate:

• Insects—lots of them in the Jurassic!
• Small fish from coastal waters
• Small reptiles and amphibians
• Invertebrates like worms and crustaceans
• The two types of teeth suggest varied diet

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Life on Land

Good on the Ground?

Scientists once thought Dimorphodon walked on two legs, but:

• Modern research shows it walked on all fours
• Had strong legs for climbing
• May have climbed cliffs and trees
• Could launch into flight from the ground or perches
• Probably spent lots of time not flying

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Living on the Coast

Jurassic England

Dimorphodon lived in a tropical world:

• Lyme Regis area of England (now cold, then tropical!)
• Coastal cliffs and islands
• Warm, shallow seas full of life
• Shared habitat with early dinosaurs and marine reptiles

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Discovery by Mary Anning

A Famous Find

Dimorphodon has a special history:

• First specimen found by Mary Anning in 1828!
• Mary Anning was one of history's greatest fossil hunters
• Found on the Jurassic Coast of England
• Named by Richard Owen in 1859
• Part of a revolution in understanding ancient life

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Dimorphodon vs. Later Pterosaurs

Feature	Dimorphodon	Pteranodon	Quetzalcoatlus
Wingspan	1.4m	5.6m	10-11m
Teeth	Yes, two types	None	None
Tail	Long	Short	Short
Time	Early Jurassic	Late Cretaceous	Late Cretaceous

Dimorphodon was an early experiment in pterosaur design!

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Pop Culture

Movie Star

• Featured in Jurassic World (2015)—attacking park visitors!
• Shown as aggressive swarm predators
• In reality, they were much smaller and less dangerous
• But they did look pretty scary in the movie!

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Cool Facts

• Dimorphodon had a head that was 1/3 of its body length!
• Its name means "two-shaped tooth"
• Discovered by Mary Anning, one of history's most famous fossil hunters
• One of the earliest known pterosaurs
• The tail may have had a diamond-shaped sail at the tip
• Despite its huge head, the skull was mostly empty space—keeping it light
• Lived alongside early dinosaurs like Megalosaurus

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Dimorphodon was the big-headed oddball of the Jurassic skies—an early pterosaur that proves evolution was experimenting with flight from the very beginning!