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It is resurrected from an Old Amber, and while is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it can Mega Evolve into Mega Aerodactyl using the Aerodactylite.
Aerodactyl is a reptilian, bipedal Pokémon with large, membranous wings. It has small, sharply pointed ears, narrow eyes, a ridged snout with a gaping mouth, and strong lower jaw full of serrated fangs. Its body is covered in light purplish gray skin with violet wing membranes. Aerodactyl's wings consist of a membrane running from the side of the body to the tip of an elongated finger. The clawed hands at the bend of each wing allow it to grasp objects. There is a hump-like ridge with a single spike on its back and it has a strong tail with an arrow-shaped tip. Its talon-like feet have two toes in front and one in the back and are capable of scooping up and tightly clutching its prey in flight.
Aerodactyl is extant using Fossil revitalization, but is considered extinct in the wild. Due to the sharp appearance of Aerodactyl's fangs, it was originally thought to be exclusively a carnivore. However, the anime shows it joyfully consuming fruit. Its serrated fangs and ferocious attitude were nevertheless very imposing, and it is said to be have been capable of effortlessly ripping out enemies' throats. By spreading its impressive wings, Aerodactyl is believed to have flown by gliding through the skies, freely letting out its high-pitched cries. However, its walk was weak and slow when it touched ground. When at rest it enjoyed the safety and seclusion of the mountains, where it liked to nest.
When Aerodactyl Mega Evolves, its eyes turn green and body begins to turn to stone, which some researchers believe was its original appearance before fossilization. It grows larger in size and sprouts jagged black spikes all over its body: five spikes at the wrist joint of each wing replacing its hands, three small spikes along its tail, one spike on each ear, and a long spike on its chin. The spike on its back and its rear talons have also become black and stony. Rocky plates cover its eyebrows and the corners of its jaw. Similar stone ornaments are present on its chest on its torso: two small ridges flanking a longer ridge. Because of the burden of Mega Evolution, Mega Aerodactyl is fiercer and more irritable than before.
An Aerodactyl appeared in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, where it was resurrected from a fossil alongside a Kabutops by Annie and Oakley. In the English dub, they were once used by an evil Trainer to torment the civilians of Alto Mare, but were drowned when a Latios brought water to the city. It was sent to chase after Ash and Latias. It had blank, yellow-tinted eyes with no pupils and a thick black outline.
An Aerodactyl appeared in Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl!, where it was revived by Gary Oak. The Aerodactyl seemed to enjoy eating a pear-like fruit that grew in the forests of an island. Team Rocket agents Butch and Cassidy wanted to steal this Aerodactyl in order to present it to Dr. Namba, but were stopped by Gary's Umbreon and Dodrio, and the Aerodactyl itself, who sent the two Rockets flying with a Hyper Beam.
Red obtains an Aerodactyl from a resurrected piece of Old Amber which he revives in Holy Moltres and names him Aero. He has since then used him extensively for aerial transportation and combat.
Another appeared as a silhouette in the Holy Moltres in Blaine's fantasy of what the Old Amber would turn into when it was revived.
Lance has his own Aerodactyl that he also uses for aerial transportation and combat which first appeared in Extricated from Exeggutor. He also owns multiple other Aerodactyl which were used in his Dragon-type army that were used to attack the mainlands of Kanto. They first appeared in Playing Horsea.
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.
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 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 the only Pokémon owned by Lance and Clair in the core series who is not a Dragon-type Pokémon nor a Pokémon belonging to the Dragon Egg group
This is likely due to pterosaurs being known as "winged dragons" (翼竜 yokuryū) in Japanese, further explaining why its appearance is influenced by that of wyverns
Mega Aerodactyl has the highest base Speed stat of all Rock-type Pokémon.
Mega Aerodactyl has the highest base stat total of all Fossil Pokémon.
Mega Aerodactyl has a unique base stat total of 615.
Origin
Aerodactyl's design is mostly based on rhamphorhynchids, a family of toothed pterosaurs. However, its pointed wings, spaded tail, and robust jaws also give it the semblance of a dragon, specifically wyverns.
Name origin
Aerodactyl's name is a combination of aero (Greek for air) and pterodactyl.
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.