Pterodactyl: Difference between revisions

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| affiliation =  
| affiliation =  
| origin = [[Earth]]
| origin = [[Earth]]
| first = Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)
| first = The Didus Expedition (comic story)
| appearances = [[Pterodactyl - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
| appearances = {{appears}}
| individuals = [[Myfanwy]]}}{{looks like|Terrordactyl|Vortisaur}}
| individuals = [[Myfanwy]]
'''Pterodactyls''' and the closely related '''pteranodons''' were a type of winged [[reptile]] native to [[Earth]] in its [[Distant past|early history]].
}}{{looks like|Terrordactyl|Vortisaur|Perrincott}}
'''Pterodactyls''' and the closely related '''pteranodons''' were two species of winged [[reptile]] native to [[Earth]] in its [[Distant past|early history]].


== Biology ==
== Biology ==
There were numerous species of pterosaurs, ranging in size from small ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)|Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]'') to ones with forty-foot wingspans. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Blood Heat (novel)|Blood Heat]]'') No one knew how they took off from the ground to fly. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[EarthWorld (novel)|EarthWorld]]'')
There were numerous species of pterosaurs, ranging in size from small ([[TV]]: {{cs|Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)}}) to ones with forty-foot wingspans. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Blood Heat (novel)}}) No one knew how they took off from the ground to fly. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|EarthWorld (novel)}})
 
The genus properly called ''Pterodactylus'' was quite small, about the size of a [[chicken]]. They had bald heads and flappy, leathery wings; they fed principally on freshwater [[fish]] and small, flying [[insect]]s. By contrast, the ''Pteranodon'' was "almost the size of a small [[aeroplane]]" and a carnivore which would snatch up terrestrial prey, either for its own consumption or to bring to its ever-hungry young. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book (novel)}})


== History ==
== History ==
Pterodactyls lived during the [[Jurassic]] period, approximately [[BC|150,000,000]] million years before [[Jago]] and [[Litefoot]]'s time. The pair encountered one when they accidentally travelled to this time period. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Monstrous Menagerie (audio story)|The Monstrous Menagerie]]'')
Pterodactyls lived during the [[Jurassic]] period, approximately [[Distant past#Hundreds of millions of years BC|150 million years]] before [[Jago]] and [[Litefoot]]'s time. The pair encountered one when they accidentally travelled to this time period. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Monstrous Menagerie (audio story)}}) The [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Companion (The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book)|his companion]] encountered a few Pterodactyls during an exploration of the [[Earth]] of around 177 million years before the [[20th century]], with one attempting to "dive-bomb" the Doctor. Later, having moved forward to "just" [[75000000 (number)|75 million]] years in the past, they met the much larger Pteranodons, with the time travellers soon having to run from a voracious mother, ending up confronted with a view of the sea and some of its own reptilian predators as they reached the edge of a cliff in their flight. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book (novel)}})


A weaponised, genetically modified breed of Pterosaurs with armour-like scales were bred by the [[Silurian]]s. They were utilised in [[Grand Marshal]] [[Jastrok]]'s [[2010s]] siege of [[Great Britain]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[United (audio story)|United]]'')
A weaponised, genetically modified breed of Pterosaurs with armour-like scales were bred by the [[Silurian]]s. They were utilised in [[Grand Marshal]] [[Jastrok]]'s [[2010s]] siege of [[Great Britain]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|United (audio story)}})


One type of Pterosaur was brought to the [[1970s]] during [[Operation Golden Age]]. They were used for general chaos and to help guard the Operation's base. ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)|Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]'')
One type of Pterosaur was brought to the [[1970s]] during [[Operation Golden Age]]. They were used for general chaos and to help guard the Operation's base. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)}})


In an [[Silurian Earth|alternate universe]], an especially large type of Pterosaur were used by the [[Silurian]]s as steeds. With a forty-foot wingspan, they could easily carry a Silurian. They were used as war steeds in times of battle and would cling to the side of the [[Silurian airship|airships]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Blood Heat (novel)|Blood Heat]]'')
In an [[Silurian Earth|alternate universe]], an especially large type of Pterosaur were used by the [[Silurian]]s as steeds. With a forty-foot wingspan, they could easily carry a Silurian. They were used as war steeds in times of battle and would cling to the side of the [[Silurian airship|airships]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Blood Heat (novel)}})


A Pterodactyl later named [[Myfanwy]] came through the [[Cardiff Space-Time Rift]] to [[Cardiff]] in the [[21st century]]. It was captured by [[Torchwood Three]] and kept as a mascot at the Hub. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')
A Pterodactyl later named [[Myfanwy]] came through the [[Cardiff Space-Time Rift]] to [[Cardiff]] in the [[21st century]]. It was captured by [[Torchwood Three]] and kept as a mascot at the Hub. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Everything Changes (TV story)}})


On [[New Jupiter]], [[EarthWorld]] had a Pterosaur in its Prehistoric Zone. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[EarthWorld (novel)|EarthWorld]]'')
On [[New Jupiter]], [[EarthWorld]] had a Pterosaur in its Prehistoric Zone. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|EarthWorld (novel)}})


In [[2010]], Pterodactyls were some of the prehistoric creatures brought into [[Sydney]] by [[chronal wave]]s caused by the [[SKARDIS]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Age of Ice (comic story)|The Age of Ice]]'')
In [[2010]], Pterodactyls were some of the prehistoric creatures brought into [[Sydney]] by [[chronal wave]]s caused by the [[SKARDIS]]. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Age of Ice (comic story)}})
[[File:Pteranodons.jpg|thumb|left|Pteranodons in Hyde Park ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song (TV story)|The Wedding of River Song]]'')]]
[[File:Pteranodons.jpg|thumb|left|Pteranodons in Hyde Park ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Wedding of River Song (TV story)}})]]
In an [[River Song's World|alternative timeline]] in which all of history happened at once, Pteranodons were considered to be vermin. They were found in places such as [[Hyde Park]] and would chase people. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song (TV story)|The Wedding of River Song]]'')
In an [[River Song's World|alternative timeline]] in which all of history happened at once, Pteranodons were considered to be vermin. They were found in places such as [[Hyde Park]] and would chase people. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Wedding of River Song (TV story)}})


Pterodactyls were among the species placed aboard the [[Silurian Ark]] to repopulate the Earth with once the catastrophe the [[Silurian]]s incorrectly predicted had passed. Flocks of Pteranodons were known to live in the Ark's beach-like environments.
Pterodactyls were among the species placed aboard the [[Silurian Ark]] to repopulate the Earth with once the catastrophe the [[Silurian]]s incorrectly predicted had passed. Flocks of Pteranodons were known to live in the Ark's beach-like environments.


The Ark's Pterodactyls were presumably sent to the planet [[Siluria]] by the [[Eleventh Doctor]] in the [[24th century]] after he stopped the Ark from returning to Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (TV story)|Dinosaurs on a Spaceship]]'')
The Ark's Pterodactyls were presumably sent to the planet [[Siluria]] by the [[Eleventh Doctor]] in the [[24th century]] after he stopped the Ark from returning to Earth. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (TV story)}})
 
{{O'Mara|c}} genetically modified Pterodactyls to attack Koturians and bring her black blood and tissue samples from them. Sometimes they would also bring back the whole individual for her experiments. The [[Sixth Doctor]] recognised them as the work of the Rani thanks to the gold sheen on their wings. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Something Borrowed (short story)}})


{{O'Mara|c}} genetically modified Pterodactyls to attack Koturians and bring her black blood and tissue samples from them. Sometimes they would also bring back the whole individual for her experiments. The [[Sixth Doctor]] recognised them as the work of the Rani thanks to the gold sheen on their wings. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Something Borrowed (short story)|Something Borrowed]]'')
Pterosaurs were also native to the planet [[Raxas]], and along with the other Raxas [[dinosaur]]s, proved to be more than a match for a [[Dalek]] [[Dalek invasion of Raxas|attack]]. They picked up Daleks, grabbing them between their feet, flying high into the air and dropping them to their deaths on the rocks below. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Battle for Raxas (short story)}})


== Similar creatures ==
== Similar creatures ==
The homeworld of the [[Spidron]]s was inhabited by pterodactyl-like creatures, which attacked the [[Third Doctor]] shortly after he arrived there. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Nova (TVC comic story)|Nova]]'')
The homeworld of the [[Spidron]]s was inhabited by pterodactyl-like creatures, which attacked the [[Third Doctor]] shortly after he arrived there. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|Nova (TVC comic story)}})
 
A [[zoo]] on an [[planet (The Didus Expedition)|unnamed planet]] acquired a pterodactyl or a pterodactyl-like creature. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Didus Expedition (comic story)}})


A [[zoo]] on an [[planet (The Didus Expedition)|unnamed planet]] acquired a pterodactyl or a pterodactyl-like creature. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Didus Expedition (comic story)|The Didus Expedition]]'')
[[Terrordactyl]]s were pterodactyl-like creatures native to the Great Space-Time Void. ([[GAME]]: {{cs|The First Adventure (video game)}})


[[Terrordactyl]]s were pterodactyl-like creatures native to the Great Space-Time Void. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The First Adventure (video game)|The First Adventure]]'')
Tamed pterodactyl-like creatures were used on [[Anhaut]] as riding mounts. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Return of the Daleks (comic story)}}) Pterodactyls were also used as riding mounts in the [[Yssgaroth]]'s [[Spiral Yssgaroth|universe]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Pit (novel)}})


Tamed pterodactyl-like creatures were used on [[Anhaut]] as riding mounts. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Return of the Daleks (comic story)|The Return of the Daleks]]'') Pterodactyls were also used as riding mounts in the [[Yssgaroth]]'s [[Spiral Yssgaroth|universe]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Pit (novel)|The Pit]]'')
[[Vortisaur]]s were creatures living in the [[Time Vortex]] which were similar to pterodactyls. The [[Eighth Doctor]] and [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley]] travelled with one called [[Ramsay (Storm Warning)|Ramsay]] for a while. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Storm Warning (audio story)}}) They were forced to release Ramsay back into the wild after several failed domestication attempts. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Minuet in Hell (audio story)}})


[[Vortisaur]]s were creatures living in the [[Time Vortex]] which were similar to pterodactyls. The [[Eighth Doctor]] and [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley]] travelled with one called [[Ramsay (Storm Warning)|Ramsay]] for a while. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Storm Warning (audio story)|Storm Warning]]'') They were forced to release Ramsay back into the wild after several failed domestication attempts. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Minuet in Hell (audio story)|Minuet in Hell]]'')
The [[Perrincott]] were a pterosaur-like species native to the planet [[Senkus Sha]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Prehistoric Peril (short story)}})


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
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Pterodactyls from ''Dinosaurs on a Spaceship'' appear as enemies in the [[video game]] ''[[Legacy (video game)|Doctor Who: Legacy]]''.
Pterodactyls from ''Dinosaurs on a Spaceship'' appear as enemies in the [[video game]] ''[[Legacy (video game)|Doctor Who: Legacy]]''.
=== ''Doctor Who: Battles in Time'' ===
The [[Tardis:Valid sources|non-narrative]] material in ''[[Doctor Who: Battles in Time (magazine)|Doctor Who: Battles in Time]]'' magazine pertaining to [[Doctor Who: Battles in Time Dalek Wars|Dalek Wars]] explained more about pterosaurs and pterosaur-like creatures.
According to [[DWBIT 7|''DWBIT'' 7]], Pterosaurs were also native to the planet Raxas, and along with the other Raxas dinosaurs, proved to be more than a match for a [[Dalek]] attack. They picked up Daleks, grabbing them between their feet, flying high into the air and dropping them to their deaths on the rocks below.
According to [[DWBIT 27|''DWBIT'' 27]], the Perrincott were a pterosaur-like species native to the planet Senkus Sha.


== External links ==
== External links ==
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{{iwx|Pterodactyl (Doctor Who)|wiki=galactic-creatures|wiki name=Galactic Creatures Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterodactyl (Doctor Who)|wiki=galactic-creatures|wiki name=Galactic Creatures Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterodactyl (Doctor Who)|wiki=monsters|wiki name=WikiBestiary Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterodactyl (Doctor Who)|wiki=monsters|wiki name=WikiBestiary Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterodactyls (Doctor Who)|wiki=gigan389|wiki name=Gigan389 Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterosaur|wiki=jurassicpark|wiki name=Jurassic Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pterosaur|wiki=dinopedia|wiki name=Dinopedia Wiki}}
{{iwx|Pteranodon|wiki=animals|wiki name=Animal Database Wiki}}
[[Category:Earth reptiles]]
[[Category:Earth reptiles]]
[[Category:Creatures from the real world]]
[[Category:Species from the real world]]
[[Category:Earth predators]]
[[Category:Earth predators]]

Latest revision as of 09:26, 22 April 2024

Pterodactyl

Pterodactyls and the closely related pteranodons were two species of winged reptile native to Earth in its early history.

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

There were numerous species of pterosaurs, ranging in size from small (TV: Invasion of the Dinosaurs [+]Loading...["Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)"]) to ones with forty-foot wingspans. (PROSE: Blood Heat [+]Loading...["Blood Heat (novel)"]) No one knew how they took off from the ground to fly. (PROSE: EarthWorld [+]Loading...["EarthWorld (novel)"])

The genus properly called Pterodactylus was quite small, about the size of a chicken. They had bald heads and flappy, leathery wings; they fed principally on freshwater fish and small, flying insects. By contrast, the Pteranodon was "almost the size of a small aeroplane" and a carnivore which would snatch up terrestrial prey, either for its own consumption or to bring to its ever-hungry young. (PROSE: The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book [+]Loading...["The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book (novel)"])

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Pterodactyls lived during the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years before Jago and Litefoot's time. The pair encountered one when they accidentally travelled to this time period. (AUDIO: The Monstrous Menagerie [+]Loading...["The Monstrous Menagerie (audio story)"]) The Fourth Doctor and his companion encountered a few Pterodactyls during an exploration of the Earth of around 177 million years before the 20th century, with one attempting to "dive-bomb" the Doctor. Later, having moved forward to "just" 75 million years in the past, they met the much larger Pteranodons, with the time travellers soon having to run from a voracious mother, ending up confronted with a view of the sea and some of its own reptilian predators as they reached the edge of a cliff in their flight. (PROSE: The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book [+]Loading...["The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book (novel)"])

A weaponised, genetically modified breed of Pterosaurs with armour-like scales were bred by the Silurians. They were utilised in Grand Marshal Jastrok's 2010s siege of Great Britain. (AUDIO: United [+]Loading...["United (audio story)"])

One type of Pterosaur was brought to the 1970s during Operation Golden Age. They were used for general chaos and to help guard the Operation's base. (TV: Invasion of the Dinosaurs [+]Loading...["Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)"])

In an alternate universe, an especially large type of Pterosaur were used by the Silurians as steeds. With a forty-foot wingspan, they could easily carry a Silurian. They were used as war steeds in times of battle and would cling to the side of the airships. (PROSE: Blood Heat [+]Loading...["Blood Heat (novel)"])

A Pterodactyl later named Myfanwy came through the Cardiff Space-Time Rift to Cardiff in the 21st century. It was captured by Torchwood Three and kept as a mascot at the Hub. (TV: Everything Changes [+]Loading...["Everything Changes (TV story)"])

On New Jupiter, EarthWorld had a Pterosaur in its Prehistoric Zone. (PROSE: EarthWorld [+]Loading...["EarthWorld (novel)"])

In 2010, Pterodactyls were some of the prehistoric creatures brought into Sydney by chronal waves caused by the SKARDIS. (COMIC: The Age of Ice [+]Loading...["The Age of Ice (comic story)"])

Pteranodons in Hyde Park (TV: The Wedding of River Song [+]Loading...["The Wedding of River Song (TV story)"])

In an alternative timeline in which all of history happened at once, Pteranodons were considered to be vermin. They were found in places such as Hyde Park and would chase people. (TV: The Wedding of River Song [+]Loading...["The Wedding of River Song (TV story)"])

Pterodactyls were among the species placed aboard the Silurian Ark to repopulate the Earth with once the catastrophe the Silurians incorrectly predicted had passed. Flocks of Pteranodons were known to live in the Ark's beach-like environments.

The Ark's Pterodactyls were presumably sent to the planet Siluria by the Eleventh Doctor in the 24th century after he stopped the Ark from returning to Earth. (TV: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship [+]Loading...["Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (TV story)"])

The First Rani genetically modified Pterodactyls to attack Koturians and bring her black blood and tissue samples from them. Sometimes they would also bring back the whole individual for her experiments. The Sixth Doctor recognised them as the work of the Rani thanks to the gold sheen on their wings. (PROSE: Something Borrowed [+]Loading...["Something Borrowed (short story)"])

Pterosaurs were also native to the planet Raxas, and along with the other Raxas dinosaurs, proved to be more than a match for a Dalek attack. They picked up Daleks, grabbing them between their feet, flying high into the air and dropping them to their deaths on the rocks below. (PROSE: The Battle for Raxas [+]Loading...["The Battle for Raxas (short story)"])

Similar creatures[[edit] | [edit source]]

The homeworld of the Spidrons was inhabited by pterodactyl-like creatures, which attacked the Third Doctor shortly after he arrived there. (COMIC: Nova [+]Loading...["Nova (TVC comic story)"])

A zoo on an unnamed planet acquired a pterodactyl or a pterodactyl-like creature. (COMIC: The Didus Expedition [+]Loading...["The Didus Expedition (comic story)"])

Terrordactyls were pterodactyl-like creatures native to the Great Space-Time Void. (GAME: The First Adventure [+]Loading...["The First Adventure (video game)"])

Tamed pterodactyl-like creatures were used on Anhaut as riding mounts. (COMIC: The Return of the Daleks [+]Loading...["The Return of the Daleks (comic story)"]) Pterodactyls were also used as riding mounts in the Yssgaroth's universe. (PROSE: The Pit [+]Loading...["The Pit (novel)"])

Vortisaurs were creatures living in the Time Vortex which were similar to pterodactyls. The Eighth Doctor and Charley travelled with one called Ramsay for a while. (AUDIO: Storm Warning [+]Loading...["Storm Warning (audio story)"]) They were forced to release Ramsay back into the wild after several failed domestication attempts. (AUDIO: Minuet in Hell [+]Loading...["Minuet in Hell (audio story)"])

The Perrincott were a pterosaur-like species native to the planet Senkus Sha. (PROSE: Prehistoric Peril [+]Loading...["Prehistoric Peril (short story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

A Pterodactyl soars across the river with the First Doctor in its claws. (GAME: Whodle)

A Pteranodon appears in the Doctor Who -themed Google doodle game. If the player goes to the egg which is hidden in a bush (returning it to its nest), the Pteranodon will later help the Doctor cross the lava river to get back to his TARDIS.

Pterodactyls from Dinosaurs on a Spaceship appear as enemies in the video game Doctor Who: Legacy.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]