Prehistoric Flying Reptiles

Prehistoric Flying Reptiles — Rulers of the Ancient Skies

Long before birds dominated the skies, Earth's prehistoric world was home to some of the most extraordinary flying creatures ever to evolve. For over 150 million years, from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous Period, flying reptiles known as pterosaurs soared above ancient landscapes and seas. These remarkable creatures, including Pterodactylus, Pteranodon, and Quetzalcoatlus, ranged from tiny, bird-sized species to enormous giants with wingspans exceeding 10 metres. Although often mistaken for flying dinosaurs, pterosaurs belonged to a distinct group of reptiles and were the first vertebrates to develop powered flight. Their unique adaptations, including lightweight skeletons, elongated wing fingers, and specialized feeding structures, enabled them to thrive in diverse prehistoric environments. In this thread, we'll explore the fascinating world of prehistoric flying reptiles, discovering their remarkable diversity and unique adaptations through postage stamps.

Sordes (Late Jurassic): A small flying reptile that lived approximately 155 million years ago in what is now Kazakhstan. With a wingspan of about 60–65 centimetres, Sordes possessed a relatively large head, sharp teeth, a long tail, and membranous wings supported by elongated fingers. It probably fed on insects and other small animals. Its most remarkable feature was a covering of fine, hair-like filaments called pycnofibers, which likely provided insulation. Exceptionally well-preserved fossils of Sordes provided important evidence that pterosaurs had such body coverings, suggesting they could regulate their body temperature.

Sordes, reconstruction on show in Paleontological Museum of Russian Science Academy in Moscow. issued by the USSR in 1990.


FDC, the cachet shows Sordes and the museum building.