Pterodactylus ("winged finger") antiquus was the first (holotype) pterosaur species to be named as a flying reptile. It was first described by Italian scientist Cosimo Alessandro Collini in 1784. When Collini first described this specimen he did not identify it as a flying animal, But thought that it might be some sort of sea creature, due to the fact that there were many unidentified animals in the ocean depths. In 1800 German/French scientist Johann Hermann was the first to state that the long fourth finger was used to support a wing membrane. He alerted French scientist George Cuvier of the fossils existence. In 1812 Samuel Thomas von Sommerring named the species Ornithocephalus antiquus, describing it as being both a mammal and a bat and a form somewhere between a bird and a mammal. Cuvier disagreed and said that the animal was a reptile. It was not until 1860 that a concensus was reached that the specimen was a reptile. The name Ptero-Dactylus was given to Pterodactylus by Cuvier in 1807. Our cast is a plastotype (copy) of the original holotype fossil. The fossil remains of this species is found primarily in the Solnhofen limestones of Bavaria, Germany. They are dated from the Late Jurassic Period (about 160-140 million years ago). Pterocactylus had wings which were formed of tissue and muscle which extended from its elongated fourth finger to is back limbs. It was a carnivore and its diet included fish and other small animals. Dimensions: 11-3/4" x 9-1/2" x 1"