News Paleontology

From China, the tiniest pterodactyl

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Researchers excavating the fossil-rich rocks of northeastern China have discovered another paleontological marvel: a flying reptile the size of a sparrow.

TINY FLYER. An artist’s rendition of Nemicolopterus crypticus, a sparrow-sized pterodactyl that inhabited forests of northeastern China about 120 million years ago. M. Skrepnick

The tiny, toothless creature, dubbed Nemicolopterus crypticus—meaning “hidden flying forest dweller”—lived about 120 million years ago, says Alexander W.A.