The Rhamphorhynchus (Rhamphorhynchus muensteri) is a pterosaur in the Rhamphorhynchidae family of long-tailed pterosaurs in the Jurassic period. Rhamphorhynchus means beak snout. It is a cousin of the dinosaurs, and it is believed to be among the first flying vertebrates.
It had a long tail that ended with a soft tail vane. It had needle-like teeth that were angled forward. It also had a curved, sharp, beak-like tip that lacked teeth. From a study of its teeth and stomach contents, palaeontologists think that its diet was mainly fish and cuttlefish.
Its tail was not adapted to flight, but it shows that it had very ornamental plumage.
It measured about 126 centimetres (50 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 180 centimetres (71 inches).
The Rhamphorhynchus is part of an exhibition called “Evolution on the Road to Enlightenment.” The palaeontologist department of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris held the exhibition of dinosaurs from December 2021 to January 2022 in conjuction with the China Light Festival.
Location of photographs: National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM