Pterodactyl vs. Pterosaur — What's the Difference?

A pterosaur of the late Jurassic period, with a long slender head and neck and a very short tail.

Pterosaurs (; from Greek pteron and sauros, meaning "wing lizard") were flying reptiles of the extinct clade or order Pterosauria. They existed during most of the Mesozoic: from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous (228 to 66 million years ago).

Any of various pterosaurs of the group Pterodactyloidea of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, having a short tail or no tail, and including the pteranodons.

Any of various extinct flying reptiles of the group Pterosauria, including the pterodactyls, of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by wings consisting of a membrane of skin extending from the side of the body to the very long fourth digit of the forelimb.

(paleontology) A pterosaur in the genus Pterodactylus.

Any of several flying reptiles, of the extinct order †Pterosauria, including the pterodactyls.

(informal) Any pterosaur.

A pterodactyl.

An extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. See Illustration in Appendix.

Extinct flying reptile of the Jurassic and Cretaceous having a birdlike beak and membranous wings supported by the very long fourth digit of each forelimb

Extinct flying reptile