Fun Herbstosaurus Facts For Kids

Herbstosaurus pigmaeus is a type of pterosaur that used to exist on the Earth during the Tithonian Age. Only one fossil specimen of the Herbstosaurus has been found in Argentina in South America.

This pterosaur could fly and exist at the same time as dinosaurs. The fossil of this species was first found in 1974 by Argentinian paleontologist Rafael Herbst after which the creature was named. The Herbstosaurus was thought to have been an example of Pterodactyloidea.

Till 1978, it was thought to be a theropod dinosaur until paleontologist John Ostrom argued that it was a pterosaur. While there are disagreements regarding this species, it is now agreed upon that the fossil was recovered from the Vaca Muerta Formation.

Herbstosaurus Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Herbstosaurus'?

You can pronounce Herbstosaurus as 'Herbs-to-sau-rus'.

What type of dinosaur was a Herbstosaurus?

THe Herbstosaurus is a type of pterosaur, a flying reptile and not a dinosaur.

In which geological period did the Herbstosaurus roam the Earth?

There are disagreements between scientists and paleontologists regarding the geological period in which this pterosaur used to exist. Most paleontologists agree that these pterosaurs existed in the late Jurassic Period during the Tithonian Age.

When did Herbstosaurus become extinct?

The Herbstosaurus pterosaurs became extinct around 145 million years ago.

Where did a Herbstosaurus live?

Herbstosaurus pterosaurs lived in South America as the only fossil specimen of this pterosaur has been found in Argentina.

What was Herbstosaurus' habitat?

These pterosaurs were flying reptiles who mainly depended on fish, they were found in the marine environment.

Who did Herbstosaurus live with?

Since only one fossil specimen with pelvic and femur bones of this pterosaur has been found so far in Argentina, it is difficult to determine if the Herbstosaurus pterosaurs lived in groups.

How long did a Herbstosaurus live?

The exact lifespan of this pterosaur specimen is not known.

How did they reproduce?

While the exact reproduction mechanism of the Herbstosaurus is not known, it can be assumed that these pterosaurs also reproduced like the rest of the genus through a process where the female would lay eggs.

Herbstosaurus Fun Facts

What did a Herbstosaurus look like?

Scientific drawings based on the disarticulated bones that have been found show this dinosaur from South America to look a lot like a small reptile that can fly. The Herbstosaurus pigmaeus is seen to have a long neck and a long beak.

The small reptile also seems to have long wings that are joined with the femur bone of the limbs.

How many bones did a Herbstosaurus have?

Only the sacrum, fragmentary pelvis, and both the femur bones of this pterosaur specimen have been found till now from the Vaca Muerta Formation.

How did they communicate?

It is not known how the Herbstosauruses communicated with each other.

How big was a Herbstosaurus?

Due to the incomplete fossil record, paleontologists have not been able to determine the length or height of a Herbstosaurus pigmaeus.

How fast could a Herbstosaurus move?

The speed of the Herbstosaurus has not yet been determined. However, the dinosaur is generally thought to be a fast flyer since it is also a predator who caught fish from water bodies.

How much did a Herbstosaurus weigh?

Scientists have not really been able to calculate the exact weight of this dinosaur because they have only found one partial skeleton from the Vaca Muerta Formation.

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no separate names for a male or female creature of the species or genus. Therefore, they are usually referred to as a male or female Herbstosaurus.

What would you call a baby Herbstosaurus?

A baby Herbstosaurus does not have a separate, unique name. Thus, it is referred to as a hatchling or a nestling following the standard terminology.

What did they eat?

Scientists have agreed upon the fact that Herbstosauruses were piscivorous in nature. A piscivorous animal is a carnivorous animal that mostly depends on fish. Thus, these dinosaurs ate fish.

How aggressive were they?

Since Herbstosaurus were piscivorous predators in nature, we can assume that they were quite aggressive. These flying dinosaurs had to catch their fish from the water bodies at great speed.

Did you know...

The Herbstosaurus is also known as the 'Herbst's Lizard' as a reference to Rafael Herbst, the fossil collector who found the specimen first.

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