Tree-Bound Pterodactyl: Scientific American Annotated

FROM TREE-DWELLING TO TERRIFYING: The discovery of a bat-size, branch-hopping pterodactyl helps round out the origins of the far larger variety that would dominate the skies millions of years later, according to a new report. Among the smallest pterodactyls yet discovered, Nemicolopterus crypticus was (at least in its juvenile form) a toothless creature with a 25-centimeter (9.8-inch) wingspan and possessing curved foot bones that suggest a life spent grasping tree branches.

They say the teensy pterodactyl (envisioned here snacking on an insect) is closely related to the monster, six-meter- (20-foot-) wide and larger wingspan pterosaurs that soared during the upper Cretaceous, 65 million to 100 million years ago.

Courtesy of Michael Skrepnickaption