Photo: Ancient Flying Reptiles Likely Had Sex As Youths



Pterosaurs, like their dinosaur relatives, didn't wait until they were fully grown to have sex, a new study suggests.

Researchers examined microscopic tree ring-like growth markings in hundreds of bones from a pterosaur species Pterodaustro guiñazui—seen in an artist's rendering above—and found the reptile matured early.

Illustration by Stephanie Abramowicz/Courtesy of the Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County


EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample