Pterodactylus is an extinct genus of pterosaurs, whose members are commonly known as pterodactyls. It is thought to contain only a single species, Pterodactylus antiquus, which was the first pterosaur to be named and identified as a flying reptile.

What does the name pterodactyl mean?

However, "pterodactyl" stuck as the popular term. Pterodactylus comes from the Greek word pterodaktulos, meaning "winged finger," which is an apt description of its flying apparatus.

How did pterodactyl get its name?

The word comes from the Latin Pterodactylus, the creatures' genus name, which originated in the Greek pteron, meaning “wing,” and daktulos, meaning “finger.” Although technically not a dinosaur, this flying reptile thrived during the same time period is as often seen among dinosaurs in movies.