Herbstosaurus Facts
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Wing Span | 0.3m |
| Length | 0.5m |
| Weight | 100 g |
| Environment | Air |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Pterosaur |
| Location | Argentina |

| Diet | Carnivore |
| Wing Span | 0.3m |
| Length | 0.5m |
| Weight | 100 g |
| Environment | Air |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Pterosaur |
| Location | Argentina |
Although once classified as a dinosaur, Herbstosaurus is now known to be a pterosaur—a flying reptile that ruled the skies alongside the dinosaurs. This small pterosaur lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 149 million years ago, in what is now Argentina. The single known species, H. pigmaeus, was a diminutive creature whose name reflects its tiny size.
Herbstosaurus was discovered from a partial skeleton that initially puzzled scientists. Its small bones and fragmentary remains led researchers to first classify it as a small theropod dinosaur. However, closer examination revealed key anatomical features that clearly identified it as belonging to the pterosaurs—the remarkable group of reptiles that were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight.
As a pterosaur, Herbstosaurus would have possessed the characteristic wing membrane stretched between an elongated fourth finger and its body. Like other pterosaurs of its time, it was likely a carnivore, feeding on small prey such as insects, fish, or other small animals that it could catch whilst flying or hunting on the ground.
The Late Jurassic period was a time when pterosaurs were diversifying rapidly, and Herbstosaurus represents one of the smaller members of this group. Its discovery in Argentina adds to our understanding of pterosaur distribution across the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana during this fascinating period of Earth's history.
Herbstosaurus was exceptionally small for a pterosaur, with delicate bone structure typical of flying reptiles. Its diminutive size, reflected in the species name 'pigmaeus', made it one of the smallest known pterosaurs from the Late Jurassic period.
As a small pterosaur, Herbstosaurus was likely an active flyer capable of catching small prey on the wing or whilst perched. It probably spent much of its time hunting insects and other small animals, using its lightweight build to manoeuvre efficiently through the air.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Pterosauria |
| Genus | Herbstosaurus |
Herbstosaurus was first described by José Bonaparte in 1975. The original fossils were discovered at Neuquén Province, Argentina.