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Ancient Pterosaur Fossils Reveal Stormy Deaths of Juveniles

9/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers studied 150-million-year-old pterosaur fossils from Solnhofen, Germany, revealing details about their deaths.
Two juvenile pterosaurs, named Lucky and Lucky II, likely perished in a storm, suffering wing injuries from strong winds.
The fossils, among the smallest pterosaur specimens, exhibit excellent preservation due to rapid burial in lagoon sediments.
The study challenges previous beliefs about small pterosaurs' dominance, suggesting many were swept in from nearby islands.
Adult pterosaurs likely died of natural causes and decomposed slowly on the lagoon's surface.

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Story summary

Researchers studied 150-million-year-old pterosaur fossils from Solnhofen, Germany, revealing details about their deaths.
Two juvenile pterosaurs, named Lucky and Lucky II, likely perished in a storm, suffering wing injuries from strong winds.
The fossils, among the smallest pterosaur specimens, exhibit excellent preservation due to rapid burial in lagoon sediments.
The study challenges previous beliefs about small pterosaurs' dominance, suggesting many were swept in from nearby islands.
Adult pterosaurs likely died of natural causes and decomposed slowly on the lagoon's surface.