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It is widely considered to be extinct, and is only found by resurrecting it from the Old Amber.
Physiology
A ferocious, prehistoric Pokémon, it possesses serrated, saw-bladed like fangs that it uses to tear through the throats of its prey. Its wings have skin stretched from its side to its arms. The triangular-shaped tip of its tail is gray, like the tail itself which is connected to its oval body. Aerodactyl have dark green eyes, though the iris is barely visible.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Aerodactyl is capable of flying at great speeds and tearing through prey with its fangs. It is also very durable due to its rock-hard body. Aerodactyl also shows some form of relationship to Dragons, thus allowing it learn Dragon-type moves and Fire-type moves, such as Dragon Claw, Fire Blast, and Flamethrower.
Behavior
Aerodactyl's preferred method of killing its victims is by tearing through the throats of its victims with its serrated, saw-like fangs.
The exact habitat of Aerodactyl is unknown even though some living samples have been found miles underground in caves, but so far most Aerodactyl are revived from Old Amber. It most likely lived in mountainous areas.
In the episode Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon, Ash's Pokédex states "Its hard fangs suggest it might have been a carnivore. Its sharp claws were probably used to capture prey."
In the episode Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl, the Aerodactyl seemed to enjoy eating a pear-like fruit that grew in the forests of an island.
Fossils of Kabutops and Aerodactyl were resurrected by Annie and Oakley in Pokémon Heroes; in the English dub, they were once used by an evil Pokémon Trainer to torment the civilians of Alto Mare, but were drowned when a Latios brought water to the city. They were sent to chase after Ash and Latias. They have blank, yellow-tinted eyes with no pupils and are lined with a thick black outline.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: In the Ruby Field, once an egg has been hatched, Aerodactyl will fly by and replace it the next time the ball rolls into the Egg Stand.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Aerodactyl is a Pokémon from the age of dinosaurs. It was regenerated from genetic material extracted from amber. It is imagined to have been the king of the skies in ancient times.
Aerodactyl is a Pokémon from the age of dinosaurs. It was regenerated from DNA extracted from amber. It is imagined to have been the king of the skies.
Aerodactyl was originally going to use its Japanese name, "Ptera", as its English name.
Aerodactyl's German and French names are the same as its English and Japanese names, respectively.
During its first appearance in Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon it was mentioned that Aerodactyl was carnivorous based on its teeth (and the reactions of the other fossil Pokémon when it arrived). However in Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl it is shown and proven to be at least omnivorous, based on its joyful consumption of fruit.
Aerodactyl is the only fossil Pokémon that does not have an evolution or pre-evolution.
It is also the only fossil Pokémon that can be obtained in any way other than breeding it or reviving its fossil: it is available through an in-game trade in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and is one of Hayley's trades.
Despite getting Rock Head as an ability it learns only one move with recoil damage naturally (Take Down) and only 1 more via other means, Double-Edge through tutor and only in Generation III.
it is the only fossil pokemon not to evolve from any other pokemon.
Origin
It appears to be based upon pterosaurs, prehistoric flying reptiles, particularly the rhamphorhynchoidea branch, due to Aerodactyl's possession of teeth and a long tail. It also seems to possess some dragon-like characteristics, such as that of a wyvern, a two legged variety of dragon, which would explain its being on Lance's team.
Name origin
Aerodactyl's name may be a pun, combining aero, Greek for air, or aeroplane, with the similar sounding pterodactyl. The "Aero" could also refer to the shape of the end of its tail (Which resembles the end of an arrow). Its Japanese name is simply a shortening of the word pterosaur.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.