18, 19 Pterosaurs ‘Pterodactylus’ cuvieri

3D Model

Pterosaurs (‘winged lizards’) are flying reptiles that are not dinosaurs but existed over a similar time period and became extinct about 66 million years ago. Many diverse species lived at different times and places. These two examples were probably intended to represent ‘Pterodactylus’ cuvieri, now named Cimoliopterus cuvieri, which lived around 100 million years ago and were long-winged soaring specialists with teeth adapted to catch fish. They stand on an artificial chalk cliff representing British Chalk deposits of the Cretaceous Period.

The Crystal Palace examples were depicted as rather more bird-like in physique and proportions than they would have been, but with scaly skin. However, there was evidence, even at the time the sculptures were made, that pterosaurs had a hair-like covering. The sculptures were built around iron frames with metal extremities to necks and limbs. The heads have been replaced in fibreglass, one now severely damaged.

Model by Rhys Griffin ©Rhys Griffin/FCPD & Historic England