Fun Austriadactylus Facts For Kids

A genus of rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur, the Austriadactylus is commonly known as a wing lizard. The genus was discovered by Fabio Marco Dalla Vecchia, and fossil remains that were collected generally belonged to the Upper or Late Triassic or Middle Norian age – it spans the time between 237-201.3 million years ago. The specimen was found in abandoned mines near Ankerschlag, Tyrol, in the Norian Seefelder Beds.

When the fossil was discovered, it consisted of lower jaws, the skull, a nearly complete tail, some parts of limbs and the pelvic girdle, and a few vertebrae. The length of the elongated skull was around 4 in (11 cm), and possessed a bony crest that descended towards the snout. The skull opening was formed by triangular nares. Teeth generally differed in shape. Most teeth were small and three-pointed, five larger recurved teeth were present in the front of the upper jaw that helped to grab prey easily, while six to seven teeth were interspersed with small teeth in the back of the mouth. Unlike other basal Pterosaurs, it had no stiffened rod-like vertebral extensions. The wingspan of the species was around 47 in (120 cm). Males and females of a few pterosaurs had a distinctive head crest.

These flying dinosaurs were primarily regarded as carnivores and used to prey on fish, but new studies reveal that Pterosaurs are said to be omnivores who preyed on insects and small mammals. Recent analysis proves that the species belongs to the Campylognathoides and the Eudimorphodon in the Campylognathoididae clade.

Let's read more fun facts about the Austriadactylus, and if you find this article interesting, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different animals like the Chungkingosaurus and the Zuniceratops.

How do you pronounce Austriadactylus?

The pronunciation of the dinosaur seems to be quite tough, but we have an easy method to say the name correctly. You would just have to divide it like 'Oss-tre-ah-dak-tyl-us' or you can also try it like 'Austria-dacty-lus'.

What type of dinosaur was an Austriadactylus?

The dinosaur belongs to the rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur order, the class of Reptilia, while Austriadactylus itself is a genus. The type species of the genus is Austriadactylus cristatus. It is best known for its crested head and a long tail.

In which geological period did the Austriadactylus roam the earth?

Skeleton remains that were collected generally belonged to the Upper or Late Triassic or Middle Norian age which spans the time between 237-201.3 million years ago. The specimen was found near Ankerschlag, Tyrol, in the Norian Seefelder Beds.

When did the Austriadactylus become Extinct?

Studies reveal that the species became Extinct about 215 million years ago and the prominent factor that resulted in the extinction of Pterosaurs was competition among early bird species and a huge number of species became Extinct by the end of the Cretaceous age. The competition largely affected smaller Pterosaurs like the Austriadactylus. It is also said that there were other factors such as climate change, volcanic eruption, asteroid impact, and many more.

Where did an Austriadactylus live?

The most prominent location of these Pterosaurs is an abandoned mine near Ankerschlag‭ in Tyrol, a western state of Austria. It is also said that these Pterosaurs were present in a few more European countries such as Italy.

What was an Austriadactylus' habitat?

The exact habitat of the Pterosaur species is not known as of now, but it can be said that the dinosaur must have inhabited forests, woodlands, and mountains of Austria. Coastal areas could also be included in the list as fish were a major diet.

Who did an Austriadactylus live with?

It is not known whether the Pterosaur used to live in flocks – like modern birds – but since they were carnivores, they must have hunted in groups, which also means that they were probably social. They appeared in pairs during the breeding season.

How long did an Austriadactylus live?

The exact life span of the Pterosaur dinosaur is not known as of now, but many small species of the Late Triassic or Middle Norian period generally lived for quite a shorter period, unlike big dinosaurs.

How did they reproduce?

Very little is known about the Austriadactylus cristatus reproduction pattern as of now, but it is said to be similar to all dinosaurs and the species mated by laying eggs. Like modern-day birds, the Pterosaur species used to perform courtship displays such as hovering and wing movements.

The first egg specimen of Pterosaur dinosaurs was found in quarries of Liaoning, China which had leathery shells, like eggs of modern lizards. Like crocodiles and turtles, these dinosaurs used to bury their eggs in the soil. The litter size of these creatures is not known as of now.

What did an Austriadactylus look like?

The Austriadactylus cristatus was a basal Pterosaur that had a fully toothed jaw and a long tail. The Austriadactylus crest descended towards the snout, while the skull opening was formed by triangular nares, and the size of the short head was around 4 in (11 cm). Teeth were generally sharp and pointed which helped to hunt prey easily. Five larger recurved teeth were present in the front of the upper jaw, while six to seven teeth were interspersed with small teeth in the back of the mouth.

How many bones did an Austriadactylus have?

The exact number of bones of the basal Pterosaur species is not known as of now. Bones of the dinosaur were hollow and air-filled like bones of modern-day birds. Bone walls were generally paper-thin.

How did they communicate?

No information regarding communication patterns of basal Pterosaurs is available as of now, but these dinosaurs used similar methods as modern reptiles and birds. They used tactile, visual, and auditory cues to communicate with each other.

How big was an Austriadactylus?

The average Austriadactylus cristatus size is not known as of now, but the fossil revealed that the wingspan of the species was around 47 in (120 cm). The medium-sized Late Triassic crested Pterosaur was known to be a vicious predator. Regardless of its small size, the species used to hunt its prey in coastal or freshwater habitats quite easily. The species was quite smaller to the Hydrotherosaurus and the Moabosaurus.

How fast could an Austriadactylus move?

The speed of the Pterosaur is not known, but because of its agility and fast movement, the species was known as a wing lizard. Unlike most Late Triassic species, the Austriadactylus cristatus was able to walk well on all four limbs with an upright posture. Fossil trackways also revealed that a few Pterosaurs were able to run and swim.

How much did an Austriadactylus weigh?

The exact weight of the dinosaur is not known as of now, but large Pterosaurs had an average weight of 550 lb (250 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to these male and female dinosaurs; people generally refer to them as Austriadactylus cristatus.

What would you call a baby Austriadactylus?

Like any other reptiles, the babies of these dinosaurs are called hatchlings.

What did they eat?

While talking about the Austriadactylus diet, the dinosaur used to prey primarily on fish, but new studies reveal that Pterosaurs are said to be omnivores who preyed on insects and small mammals.

How aggressive were they?

Dinosaurs tend to be aggressive to intruders.

Did you know...

Pterosaurs existed from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous age.

How did the Austriadactylus get its name?

The term Austriadactylus is a combination of two Latin and Greek words: 'Austria' and 'daktylos', respectively; the meaning of the latter term is a 'finger', while the species name 'cristatus' is a Latin word that means 'crested'.

What terrain did the Austriadactylus live in?

The species primarily inhabited coastal areas.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Sauropelta facts and Puertasaurus facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Austriadactylus coloring pages.