Disclaimer: What? Pokemon belongs to Nintendo? Oh darn.
Common Name: Aerodactyl, Ptera
Scientific Name: Aerodactylus apolithoma
Description: Aerodactyl was an unusual species, a flying reptile that was not a hexaped. Instead of flying with a sixth pair of limbs, its forelimbs were modified into wings, giving it a body structure similar to a bird or a Zubat. Their arms had four fingers, the last one of which was grossly extended, supporting a skin membrane that connected to the Aerodactyl's body. Supported by a body strut extending from the elbow, this membrane made up the Aerodactyl's wing.
Aerodactyl were large Pokemon, measuring about 11 feet long from nose to tail, and with a 23-foot wingspan. They stood 4 feet tall on all fours, using their wings as forelimbs. Aerodactyl had long tails, tipped with a cartilaginous spade, which helped balance the tail in flight. They also had a 'fin' of cartilage on their backs, believed to help stabilize the Aerodactyl in strong winds. At the end of the Aerodactyl's long neck was a large head, armed with a powerful jaw full of serrated teeth. In addition, the Aerodactyl had two bone horns, covered by thick, scaly skin. Aerodactyl had three toes on each foot, one of which pointed backwards. Their eyes were dark green, their wing membranes were light purple, and their body scales were lavender gray.
Range: Aerodactyl were once found throughout the mountainous regions of northern Kanto.
Habitat: Aerodactyl bred in the mountains, especially on peaks that surrounded montane valleys.
Call: Aerodactyl's aggressive cry was described as being a kind of high, gargling shriek. Their other vocalizations are unknown.
Diet: Aerodactyl were devoted carnivores, and were incredibly bold in their attacks of even very well defended prey. They were recorded as being wasteful, often attacking prey larger than they could carry, and leaving most of it on the ground for scavengers. Even prey up to the size of Clefable and Magmar were included in this species' diet, the Aerodactyl's serrated teeth making short work of them. Most of their diet, however, was thought to be made up of Geodude.
Life Cycle: Little is known of Aerodactyl breeding. This species was known to raise young in pairs, but whether they mated for life or only for a year is a mystery. Aerodactyl eggs were slightly conical, so as to not roll off their precariously perched nest, but rather to roll in a circle. Up to four young may have lived in a nest, which was described as a simple platform of sticks.
The natural lifespan of Aerodactyl is unknown.
Relationship with Humans: The use of past tense throughout this entry has probably made evident the fact that the Aerodactyl is no longer amongst us. The last known wild Aerodactyl was killed in 3389, and the last captive specimen died in 3394. What little we know of this species is from the notes of pioneers, woodsmen, and shepherds who attempted to graze Mareep in Aerodactyl habitat. The ferocity of the Aerodactyl's attacks on Mareep herds is well documented, and the species was quickly and efficiently exterminated.
But the story does not end there.
The current controversy over Aerodactyl revolves around several embryos kept in formaldehyde in the Pewter Museum of Science. Technology today is capable of cloning the DNA of these individuals, and may even be able to rear them to viability. The question is whether we should. The genetic diversity of these few individuals, all siblings, is very limited, and if they were to breed, the young may show inbreeding depression or genetic abnormalities. In addition, the cloned Aerodactyl may lack knowledge of how to survive in the wild.
With this in mind, the cloning of Aerodactyl may not result in viable wild populations, but only a few, valuable individuals, suitable only for captivity. Since the ferocity of Aerodactyl is commonly expounded upon, the battle industry is quite keen for this very thing to happen. There is a lot of money being offered for samples of the Aerodactyl embryos' DNA.
So, will there be Aerodactyl in the future, either in the wild or in the battle arena? Only time will tell.
Naturalist's Notes: Although it is not known for certain, there is evidence that Aerodactyl were preyed upon by Charizard, in the form of Aerodactyl bones found in multi-generation Charizard nests.