Storms killed flying baby reptiles in Jurassic period, fossils reveal
Scientists found identical wind-caused fractures in the wings of two baby Pterodactylus fossils, hinting they were caught in powerful tropical storms during the Jurassic period 150 million years ago. Pterosaurs, cousins of the dinosaurs, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. The hatchlings, just days to weeks old with wingspans under 20 cm, drowned after being flung into lagoons.