Paleontologists recently discovered a fossilized “mini pterodactyl” in China. The reptile, scientific name Nemicolopterus crypticus, was about the size of a sparrow and lived 120 million years ago. From National Geographic:
Pterosaurs, which had wings formed of skin rather than feathers, first appeared about 215 million years ago and are believed to be the first flying vertebrates…
A team of Chinese and Brazilian paleontologists found the N. crypticus fossil preserved in the fine siltstone of an ancient waterway in northeastern China.
The tiny pterosaur was a small, toothless reptile with curved foot bones that are similar to those of birds.
