Fun Rhamphorhynchus Facts For Kids

Rhamphorhynchus fossils suggest that they were flying reptiles that existed during the dinosaur age. They specifically existed during the late Jurrasic period in the regions of Europe and Africa. The fossil prints of these creatures were mainly found in Spain, England, Portugal, and Tanzania. A higher number in their fossil print was found in Solnhofen limestone of Germany and Bavaria.

The size of this creature ranged up to 49.6 in (1.3 m). They had large wings with a size up to 70.8 in (1.8 m). Due to the said size, this creature was considered to be the largest Pterosaur of the Rhamphorhynchus genus. The growth of these ancient birds is said to drop its speed post three years although, the average growth of the young one is faster than the alligators. These animals are primarily fish eaters with its most favorite fish belonging to the Aspidorhynchus group. Hence, the Rhamphorhynchus is mainly classified as a Piscivore.

Read on to know more about this late Jurrasic period flying creature. If you like this, you should also check Ichthyovenator facts and Heterodontosaurus facts.

Was the Rhamphorhynchus a dinosaur?

No, Rhamphorhynchus and dinosaur is not the same. The Rhamphorhynchus pterosaur was one of the flying reptiles that existed during the dinosaurs' age.

How do you pronounce 'Rhamphorhynchus'?

The name of these animals with a big beak snout can be pronounced as 'Ram-foe-rink-us'.

What type of prehistoric flying bird was a Rhamphorhynchus?

These birds from the former Rhamphorhynchoidea family are long-tail Pterosaurs which were a little distinct from the pterodactyloid pterosaur, which had a somewhat shorter tail.

In which geological period did the Rhamphorhynchus live?

This Pterosaur is a prehistoric reptilia-cum-bird that existed between the early Jurassic and the late Jurassic period.

When did the Rhamphorhynchus become extinct?

It is known that these pterosaurs existed almost 145-163 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period; the detailed records of their extinction are unknown.

Where did a Rhamphorhynchus live?

With the fossil discovery of Pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus, one can say that they lived in the regions around Africa and Western Europe. The locations in Spain, England, and Tanzania might've been their most occurring spaces. Quite a few of their remains have been found in the Solnhofen limestones of Germany and Bavaria.

What was a Rhamphorhynchus' habitat?

With the evidence found through the fossil discovery of these animals, it can be assumed that their most preferred habitat focused around the marine environment like shores and the ground-areas near water bodies. The exact climatic condition is not known.

Who did a Rhamphorhynchus live with?

This species with a long beak-like snout is assumed to have lived in a small group of similar flying birds, which might've included the Pterodactyloid pterosaurs - although accurate details about their lifestyle are unknown.

How long did a Rhamphorhynchus live?

The Rhamphorhynchus pterosaur existed during the late Jurassic period. Hence the records of their lifespan are incomplete.

How did they reproduce?

There isn't much information available about the Rhamphorhynchus pterosaurs' reproduction processes. However, it is clear that due to its reptilia and bird combination, these muensteri birds were included in the group of egg-laying animals.

What did a Rhamphorhynchus look like?

The fossils found in the Solnhofen suggest that the Rhamphorhynchus is the largest of its class of creatures. This group of reptiles had a distinctive long tail and a low, slender skull. Their head lacked any soft tissue although they had nostrils that were set on the beak-snout on its head. These creatures had four feet but comparatively short legs with a leather-like expansion at its tip. They have narrow wings and separate muscle fibers that support them tackle the changes in their body shape by adjusting the wings, arteries, and veins.

The specimens suggest that these pterosaurs had 20 sharp teeth. These sharp teeth intertwined with each other when their jaws were closed reflecting the typical Piscivore jaws. Half of these teeth were on the upper jaw and the other half on the lower jaw which intertwined each other. One might say that the remains of them refer to a modern-day seagull analog.

How many bones did a Rhamphorhynchus have?

As these creatures existed million years ago, there isn't much evidence available about the number of their bones.

How did they communicate?

There isn't enough information available about this species with long tails and beak-like snout. Although due to their resemblance to the bird-reptile class one might assume that they communicated with the help of their vocals, vibrations, and chemical secretion. As they caught fish, they might've had good eyesight, which would've helped them.

How big was a Rhamphorhynchus?

This animal with wings is considered one of the largest amongst the Rhamphorhynchus muensteri and other subspecies as the Rhamphorhynchus size can go up to 49.6 in (1.3 m). They have a wingspan of up to 70.8 in (1.8 m).

The specimen results of this creature suggest that it could be four times bigger than Nemicolopterus crypticus, another pterosaur of its similar genus.

How fast could a Rhamphorhynchus move?

Even though the exact speed of this creature isn't known, their imprints prove that they could move on their hind feet as well as fly high with their great wingspan.

How much did a Rhamphorhynchus weigh?

The average weight range of these animals with a bird-like body and a reptile-like classification ranged between 1-2 lb (0.5-0.9 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

The name Rhamphorhynchus muensteri is a common name used for both sexes.

What would you call a baby Rhamphorhynchus?

A baby of the former Rhamphorhynchoidea family can be called a nestling or a hatchling.

What did they eat?

The Rhamphorhynchus were carnivores, not omnivores, and would ideally feed on insects and fishes. Although there isn't much information on what kind of insects they preyed on, the structure of their sharp teeth did justify that the major source of their diet included fish. Hence, they were also termed Piscivore.

How aggressive were they?

There isn't enough data about their combat skills or aggressive behaviors.

Did you know...

Rhamphorhynchus lived in the marine environment on the earth. Based on Chris Bennett's research, the characteristics of the Rhamphorhynchus can belong to the cold-blooded animals of the modern world. He also analyzed that the growth rate of their body was quite faster than that of an alligator, reaching its ultimate size within a span of three or just a few more months.

The term Pterodactyl means a pterosaur.

Who discovered Rhamphorhynchus?

Rhamphorhynchus was originally considered to be a part of the Pterodactylus group - meaning, all the late Jurassic period pterosaur with short tails. This was done by Professor Georg August Goldfuss who studied the specimen. Later in 1861 Richard Owen who was a well-known British naturalist promoted this creature of the genus Rhamphorhynchus to the Pterosaurs class with either a long or a short tail and a moderate wingspan. Further Von Sömmerring added that this creature was one of the ancient birds.

What does 'Rhamphorhynchus' mean?

According to its dictionary meaning, 'Rhamphorhynchus' word means 'beak snout', although the term as a whole means a genus with long or elongated tails that was supported with leather-like tip and needle-like teeth. These are not dinosaurs and their fossils justify that they were reptile-birds that belonged to the former Pterodactylus group of ancient animals.

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

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable dinosaurs riding a motorcycle coloring pages.

Main image by CK and Beat Scheffold

Second image by Tylwyth Eldar