Dimorphodon

pterosaur · ancient reptile · Jurassic · two-form tooth

Two kinds of teeth. Dimorphodon had two completely different types of teeth in its jaws, which is super rare among reptiles. This unique feature is actually where it got its name, which means 'two-form tooth' in Greek.

A flying hunter. This pterosaur soared through the skies of early Jurassic Europe hunting for food. Scientists now believe it caught and ate small vertebrates like lizards and other tiny creatures, not just bugs and fish as they once thought.

Named by Owen. The famous paleontologist Richard Owen discovered and named Dimorphodon in 1859, recognizing that its strange teeth set it apart from other creatures.

Medium-sized flyer. Dimorphodon wasn't the biggest pterosaur, but it was a comfortable middle size, making it nimble enough to chase down small prey in the air.