‘Monkeydactyl’ may be the oldest known creature with opposable thumbs

The winged reptile’s dexterity may have helped it climb trees during the age of dinosaurs

illuistration of a pterosaur with opposable thumbs

A newly discovered pterosaur (illustrated) from the Jurassic Period may have used its opposable thumbs to cling to tree branches and catch food such as cicadas.

Chuang Zhao

Future Jurassic Park films could feature one weird new beast in the menagerie: a pterosaur nicknamed Monkeydactyl for its opposable thumbs.