One of our Aerodactylus individuals mid-preen. Gotta keep the pycnofibres clean.
Scientific Name: Aerodactylus scolopaciceps
Diet: Fish and other small aquatic organisms
Projected Natural Lifespan: 6-8 years
Wingspan: Up to 1 meter (3 feet), generally smaller
Locality: Bavaria, Germany (Solnhofen Plattenkalk); 150-148 Ma
Exhibit: Solnhofen Aviary, Aquarium
About:
Yes, this is the real thing. Aerodactylus is a small pterosaur closely related to the similarly-named Pterodactylus. It’s known from multiple very well-preserved fossils - all juveniles. It’s pretty similar to Pterodactylus, really. Superb preservation of soft tissue show a low triangular crest on the top of the head and a crest projecting posteriorly, as well as tiny beaks at the very tips of the jaws. The expandable throat pouch on its neck is covered with long pycnofibres, which easily distinguishes it from our Pterodactylus. Both are pretty similar ecologically, wading on the shore for small prey such as fish.
At Huxley
Aerodactylus is one of six pterosaur species that live in the Solnhofen Aviary, part of the Jurassic section of the Aquarium. The Aerodactylus will often form temporary flocks with Pterodactylus and Ctenochasma when away from roosting sites.
Notable Behavior
Several of our shore pterosaurs live mostly in monogamous pairs. Aerodactylus is no different. Two Aerodactylus have formed a pair, and the others have formed a trio. The groups of Aerodactylus stay together to a greater extent than the other pterosaurs, eating, roosting, and flying about together. And they chirp adorably. One area of the exhibit is used as a shared roosting site for Aerodactylus and Ctenochasma; surprisingly, they seem not to mind each other (in contrast to the other pterosaurs, who tend to roost far from each other). Our best guess is they don’t see each other as competition due to differing diets.
Keeper Notes
Like all our pterosaurs, the Aerodactylus love food. We feed each Solnhofen pterosaur species different food; the Aerodactylus get a mix of small fish and shrimp. We’ve noticed one pair try to probe in the silt for food - and we’re considering working enrichment into that.
