New discoveries are bringing the world of pterosaurs to life
The latest clues hint at where the flying reptiles came from, how they evolved, what they ate and more

Pterosaurs originated well over 200 million years ago during the Triassic Period and were the first vertebrates to take to the skies.
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In an eat-or-be-eaten world, flight conveys a bevy of benefits. A creature that takes to the third dimension can more easily escape earthbound predators, dine off a much broader menu or drop down on unsuspecting victims from above.