News Paleontology

Pterosaurs may have been able to fly as soon as they hatched

A fossil analysis shows the hatchlings had a stronger bone crucial for lift-off than adults

illustration of flamingo-like flying dinosaurs, with two in the foreground and several in the background

In this artist’s rendition, flamingo-like Pterodaustro guinazui fly against the backdrop of Early Cretaceous Argentina. New research suggests hatchlings of P. guinazui could fly the moment they emerged from their shells.

Mark Witton

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Pterosaur hatchlings may have been able to fly right out of the shell — although the flight of those ancient baby reptiles might have looked a bit different from that of the adults.