# Dimorphodon (*Dimorphodon macronyx*)

Dimorphodon was a pterosaur— a flying reptile— that soared over coastlines and lakes using long wings.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic coastlines and lakes
- **Also known as:** Dimorphodon pterosaur, Two-headed dragon

![Dimorphodon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424355/objects/5806.jpg)

## Appearance

The Dimorphodon has an unusually large head with two distinct types of teeth, giving it a unique profile. It sports a robust body, short neck, and a very long tail ending in a diamond-shaped 'rudder'. Its leathery wings stretched between its long fourth finger and hind limb.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Dimorphodon was one of the earliest known pterosaurs, soaring the skies millions of years before most dinosaurs.
- Fossils of Dimorphodon were first discovered in the cliffs of Lyme Regis, England.
- Its name means 'two-form tooth', because of its uniquely different sized teeth.
- Unlike later pterosaurs, its long stiff tail probably helped it balance in the air.

## Special abilities

- **Big Bite Hunter:** Dimorphodon can snap up prey with its strong, deep jaw because of its unusually large head and two types of teeth that help it grip.
- **Tail Rudder Navigator:** Dimorphodon has a very long tail with a special diamond-shaped flap that helps them steer and balance while flying through ancient skies.
- **Climbing Grip Paws:** Dimorphodon can likely climb trees and cliffs using its strong claws on both its hands and feet, helping them find safe roosts.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 0.8-1 m
- **Weight:** 2-5 kg
- **Era:** Early Jurassic
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 180

## Diet & Feeding

This ancient flyer mainly ate fish and small land creatures.

- **Primary Foods:** Fish, Lizards, Insects
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Leptolepis fish (*Leptolepis coryphaenoides*) — Ate this common Early Jurassic fish.
- **Eats:** Marmoretta lizard (*Marmoretta oxoniensis*) — Hunted small, agile reptiles in coastal areas.
- **Eaten by:** [Dilophosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dilophosaurus) (*Dilophosaurus wetherilli*) — Potentially hunted by larger theropod dinosaurs if grounded.

## Traits

- [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
- [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head.
- [Variegated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/variegated): Pertaining to plants with leaves or petals exhibiting different colors in patches or stripes.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Dimorphodon?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Dimorphodon?

0.8-1 m

### How much does Dimorphodon weigh?

2-5 kg

### What does Dimorphodon eat?

This ancient flyer mainly ate fish and small land creatures.

### Where is Dimorphodon usually found?

Mesozoic coastlines and lakes

### How does Dimorphodon hunt?

Pursuit

### What geologic era did Dimorphodon live in?

Early Jurassic

### When did Dimorphodon go extinct?

180

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Dimorphodon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dimorphodon)