Science Visualized Paleontology

Pterosaurs may have been covered in fur and primitive feathers

Scientists find structures similar to hair and plumes on the flying reptiles

pterosaur illustration

FUZZY WUZZY  Some pterosaurs (an artist’s rendition of one shown) may have had a furry body and feathery wisps along the tail, head and wings.

Yuan Zhang/Nature Ecology & Evolution 2018

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Think of pterosaurs, the flying reptiles that were distant cousins to the dinosaurs, and you may imagine a fearsome, leathery, winged creature.