Pterodactyls in popular culture
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Pterodactyl is a popular, but scientifically inaccurate name for a pterosaur. It is probably derived from a specific genus of pterosaur, Pterodactylus. It was one of the first pterosaurs to be described, and so, understandably, may have given its name to the entire group it represented. The name is of Greek origin, and means 'wing finger', referring to the fourth finger in pterosaurs which is elongated to support the wing membrane.This article treats of the popular image of pterodactyl. For a scientific treatment of pterosaur, refer to that article.
Pterodactyls are a staple of popular culture. While the generic term "pterodactyl" is often used to describe these creatures, the animal depicted is frequently a Pteranodon or other specific species of pterosaur, or a fictionalized hybrid of several species. Many childrens toys and cartoons feature "pterodactyls" with Pteranodon-like crests and long, Rhamphorhynchus-like tails and teeth, a combination that never existed in nature. However, at least one type of pterosaur did have a Pteranodon-like crest and teeth--the Ludodactylus, a name that means "toy pterodactyl" for its resemblance to formerly inaccurate children's toys.
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[edit] In popular culture
[edit] Literature
- In Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, Professor Challenger brings one back to London - but it escapes, flying out to sea in search of its home.
- Though only referred to as "gwangi", the dinosaurs in Steve Berman's short story "Secrets of the Gwangi" that hunt a pair of cowboys are pterodactyls.
- Jurassic Park featured a scene in which several main characters are attacked by pterosaurs while passing through a giant "birdcage". This scene was not in the film adaptation but was recreated (to an extent) in the second sequel.
[edit] Films
- The horror film Pterodactyl.
- One Million Years BC
- The Land That Time Forgot
- Petrie in The Land Before Time films is called by most a pterodactyl, though he may be a pteranodon, and so is Pterri on Pee Wee's Playhouse.
- Rodan, a 160ft long pteradon attacks japan.
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III, both of which are sequels to Jurassic Park (which did not feature pterosaurs).
- In the Rite of Spring sequence of Fantasia featured Pterodactyls, one getting eaten by a mosasaur. They may have been Pteranodons.
- Unknown Bratz film called Uh Oh will have a Pterdactyl in it.
- Pornotube has a pornographic film that is called "Pterodacyl Sex".
[edit] Television
- The pterodactyl is the power source of the Pink Ranger in the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. (The animal was actually a Pteranodon, but it was thought that children might be confused with "Mastodon" and "Pteranodon" right after each other in the morphing order, so the pterodactyl was chosen instead; in the show it derived from, Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger, the creature was indeed a Pteranodon.) Another pterodactyl, known as the Bakuryuu Pteranodon/Pterazord, is used by the Yellow Ranger in Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger/Power Rangers: Dino Thunder.
- The Dinobot Swoop from The Transformers is often called a pterodactyl, however he most resembled a pteranodon when transformed.
- In the follow-up series Beast Wars the Predacon Terrorsaur could transform into a Pteranodon.
- Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin-off, features one as a pet.
- "Primeval" starred one in the fifth episode
- One episode of the animated TV series Jonny Quest featured a pterodactyl and its master.The same pterodactyl appeared in the show's opening credits.
[edit] Comics
- The Marvel comics character Sauron is an energy vampire who resembles a humanoid pterodactyl.
- French comic book artist Jean 'Moebius' Giraud has featured pterodactyl-like creatures which appear to be made of concrete in several of his works, including Arzach and The Incal.
[edit] Toys
- Swoop the Pterodactyl in Ty
[edit] Video games
- In the computer game Nanosaur 2, the player takes the form of a Pterodactyl.
- In the arcade classic Joust the invincible Pterodactyl swoops in and dismounts you if you do not complete the level quickly.
- Though not truly a video game (it has no true graphics, only text and simple maps made from text) Beyond Zork features a pterodactyl in a swamp that the player must heal and saddle so they can ride him to the castle garden and ruins. The player can only ride him three times, and is able to name him.
- In the video game Wario World, there is an enemy called a Cactdyl. it looks like a purple Pterodactyl with swirly eyes.
- Aerodactyl, who is a Pokemon from the Pokemon Series is based on one.
- Ridley of the Metroid series is likely to be based off of the Pterodactyl.
- Sonic and the Secret Rings a few were seen flying around the Dinosaur jungle stage, one also was used to kidnap Dr. Eggman while one was featured as a glider in one of the minigames.
[edit] Slang
- An older woman, botoxed, dry and desperate to the point where they swoop in, snatching their "prey" with their claws. Generationally distinct from "cougar".
- A sexual act/position, perpetrated by the male/dominant. Entering from behind, he proceeds to grab a blanket, sheet, etc. clasping with both hands and wrapping around the back. He then waves his arms/sheet about, thus imitating the leathery flapping wings of the pterosaur. 'Squawking' or other dinosaur-like noises are generally encouraged and practically mandatory. Lifting the leg in mid thrust and 'raking' with the 'talons' or feet is also a possibility, often to display dominance.
[edit] Music
- in 1972, Terry Dactyl and The Dinosaurs had a no. 2 hit in Britain with "Seaside Shuffle"
- Both Al Stewart ("Beleeka Doodle Day")and Marc Bolan ("Summer Deep") mention a pterodactyl in their songs.
[edit] Other uses of the word
- At MIT, the pterodactyl is the unofficial mascot of chemical engineering students. The mascot is named the "Course X Pterodactyl" (referring to the department number (ten) of the chemical engineering department).
- The informal name of the U.S.A. Coast Guard Aviation Association is "The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl". Their motto is "Flying since the world was flat". [1].
- The Westland-Hill Pterodactyl was a British tailess high wing aircraft design with inherently stable flight characteristics
[edit] See also
Wikibooks has a book on the topic of
