Fun Ludodactylus Facts For Kids

Ludodactylus (means toy finger) is a genus consisting of anhanguerid pterodactyloid pterosaur. The name Ludodactylus of this genus was kept in 2003 by Eberhard Frey et al. in 2003. The name of this flying reptile has an interesting origin. Pteranodon is a similar-looking pterosaur that is quite popular among the general public. Its toys were also manufactured, but represented an inaccurate appearance, with the Pteranodon toy featuring teeth. Pteranodon did not possess teeth in its jaws. In a funny turn of events, it turns out that the toy-makers were ahead of paleontologists, as the toy is actually a real ferocious animal and represents Ludodactylus accurately. Ludodactylus is very similar to Pteranodon, except it can be differentiated from it due to the presence of sharp teeth!

This genus comprises only a single species, Ludodactylus sibbicki.  This genus was described by the paleontologists Frey, David Martill, and Marie-Céline Buchy. This pterosaur was discovered from northeastern Brazil's Crato Formation's lower cretaceous and is believed to have existed 112 - 122 million years ago from the Aptian age to the Albian age. The appearance of this pterosaur is based upon the fossil remains of an incomplete skull. It is estimated to have had an average wingspan of 13.1 ft (4 m). Its skull has been examined and was approximately 25.9 in (66 cm) long. It was a piscivore, just like other pterosaurs, and caught fish from water using its sharp, conical teeth! Keep reading to discover more Ludodactylus facts related to its diet, lifestyle, environment, and more!

If you enjoyed reading our fun Ludodactylus facts, you must check out our dyno-mite patagotitan facts and Coloborhynchus interesting facts as well!

Was the Ludodactylus a dinosaur?

No, Ludodactylus was a flying reptile and not a dinosaur.

How do you pronounce 'Ludodactylus'?

The name Ludodactylus was kept in 2003 by Eberhard Frey et al and can be pronounced as Loo-doe-dak-ty-lus.

What type of prehistoric flying bird was a Ludodactylus?

Ludodactylus was a genus of pterodactyloid pterosaurs that existed from the Aptian-age Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Ceará, Brazil. It consists of a single species, Ludodactylus sibbicki. It belongs to the order ‬Pterosauria, suborder‭ ‬Pterodactyloidea, and the subfamily Anhanguerinae. It has also been speculated that Ludodactylus may have been the same as Brasileodactylus, and could possibly be a synonym of Brasileodactylus, but this is not yet verified. Ludodactylus is also a close relative of Caulkicephalus.

In which geological period did the Ludodactylus live?

This flying reptile existed on Earth from the Aptian age to the Albian age, approximately 112 - 122 million years ago!

When did the Ludodactylus become extinct?

It has been estimated that these pterosaurs went extinct 112 million years ago!

Where did a Ludodactylus live?

Fossil remains of many dinosaurs have been discovered from northeastern Brazil's Crato Formation from the Aptian-age lower Cretaceous. Ludodactylus sibbicki, described in 2003 by Eberhard Frey, David Martill, and Marie-Céline Buchy, is one of them.

What was a Ludodactylus's habitat?

Ludodactylus is believed to have inhabited a marine environment as it was a piscivore that fed upon fish. It has also been speculated that it had a skim fishing lifestyle.

Who did a Ludodactylus live with?

It is believed by scientists that pterosaurs flew in small flocks and might have even nested together in small groups! It co-existed with dinosaurs such as Giganotosaurus, Arrhinoceratops, and Amazonsaurus.

How long did a Ludodactylus live?

The lifespan of these animals has not yet been evaluated by paleontologists. However, we do know that they existed for 10 million years!

How did they reproduce?

These pterosaurs reproduced through eggs, similar to others of its clade.

What did a Ludodactylus look like?

The appearance of this flying reptile is based on fossil remains of an incomplete skull missing a piece of the head crest that was about 25.9 in (66 cm) long. The average wingspan has been estimated to be 13.1 ft (4 m) and could have possibly ranged between 18-20 ft (5.4-6 m) in length. It has also been estimated that it might have attained a height ranging between 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m). It is known from its fossil remains that this unusual pterosaur had a crest present at its skull's rear end. There were conical, sharp teeth also present in its jaws, with the large teeth present at the tip of its jaws that tapered in size towards the back.

How many bones did a Ludodactylus have?

The total number of bones these pterosaurs possessed is not known as they are known only fossil remains of an incomplete skull missing a piece of the head crest.

How did they communicate?

It is uncertain how these creatures communicated with each other. However, researchers have estimated that most pterosaurs communicated via visual displays.

How big was a Ludodactylus?

Researchers have estimated that these pterosaurs had an average wingspan of 13.1 ft (4 m). Their skull has been examined and is approximately 25.9 in (66 cm) long.

How fast could a Ludodactylus move?

These creatures were actively mobile. It is believed that they flew at a speed of 60 mph (96.5 kph)!

How much did a Ludodactylus weigh?

The weight of this unusual pterosaur has not yet been evaluated.

What were the male and female names of the species?

The suffix of the term dinosaur is saurus for males and saura for females.

What would you call a baby Ludodactylus?

The baby of the species of this genus can be called a hatchling or a juvenile.

What did they eat?

It has been determined that Ludodactylus was a piscivore, similar to other pterosaurs, due to the presence of sharp teeth that would have aided in capturing fish from the water. Its dietary preferences are mainly examined from the structure of its jaw and teeth that were large at the tip of its jaws and tapered in size towards the back. It has been theorized that it lived a skim fishing lifestyle, which means that when the Ludodactylus was in flight, it might have swooped close to the surface of the water and dipped its jaws inside to catch fish.

How aggressive were they?

This animal is believed to have not been quite aggressive. It was a piscivore, like many other pterosaurs, and fed mainly on fish. It is assumed that it did not harm other animals. However, it was quite a ferocious-looking reptile that possessed sharp, conical teeth.

Did you know...

Ludodactylus is quite renowned in popular culture and has featured in the movies 'Toy Story' and in 'The Good Dinosaur'!

What does pterodactyl mean?

Pterodactyl was a pterosaur that existed during the Late Jurassic period that possesses a short tail, along with a slender and long head and neck. The name of the Genus Pterodactylus originates from the Greek term pterodaktulos that translates to 'winged finger', which is the accurate representation of the wings of this creature.

What does the term Ludodactylus mean?

The genus Ludodactylus was named in 2003 by Eberhard Frey et al and the name means toy finger. The name Ludodactylus originated from the Latin term 'ludus' that translates to play and the Greek term daktylos that translates to 'finger'. The Latin term Ludus was used to name this genus as many toy pterosaurs were sold before Ludodactylus was discovered, which looked like Pteranodon with teeth, which is the exact appearance of Ludodactylus. The Greek term dactylus was used as Ludodactylus possessed a long wing finger. The specific name of the type species L. sibbicki was kept in the honor of the paleoartist John Sibbick.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly prehistoric animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Tupandactylus fun facts and Thalassomedon facts for kids.

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

Image one by FunkMonk (Michael B. H.).

Image two by Heinrich Harder.