Pterodactyls, also known as pterosaurs, were carnivores. They were scavengers, and when young, consumed insects. Once they matured, they ate fish and the carcasses of other animals, including those of other dinosaurs.
Because pterodactyls enjoyed eating fish, they resided mainly near bodies of water. Originally, many scientists thought that they were an aquatic species because their habitats were close to water. It was thought that pterodactyls used their wings to navigate in the water. Eventually that theory was proven mistaken, and it was learned that fossils existed in areas such as caves.
Pterodactyls had more ways to get around than other animals of the time because they could fly and walk. Because of their mobility, they appeared in a wider range of areas of the world than other animals did. They lived in places like current-day England, Germany, France, Japan, the Americas, China and Guam. One of the most well-known characteristics of the pterodactyl was the crest on its head. It was made of mostly soft tissue and surrounded by scales. Long fibers were joined together to create a spiral pattern in the conical portion of the crest. Their teeth were long and are thought to have been used for activities such as straining.