Tapejara (Safari)

Tapejara was a remarkable pterosaur that lived in what is now Brazil during the Early Cretaceous, about 112 million years ago. Though not a dinosaur, Tapejara was part of a close evolutionary “sister group” to them—flying reptiles that ruled the skies while dinosaurs dominated the land.

For many years, paleontologists believed there were several species of Tapejara. However, further research has shown that they all represent a single species: Tapejara wellnhoferi, named after German paleontologist Peter Wellnhofer, who made significant contributions to the study of pterosaurs. The name Tapejara itself means “old being.”

Scientific Name: Tapejara wellnhoferi

Tapejara’s wings were made of skin stretched over an elongated finger, more like a bat than a bird. While some pterosaurs grew to airplane-like sizes, Tapejara was modest in scale—no larger than a modern goose. Its most dramatic feature was its enormous head crest, which may have acted as a flight rudder for maneuvering or served as a display structure to impress mates, much like a rooster’s comb. This Safari Ltd model captures both its elegant wingspan and its distinctive crest.

This Tapejara toy measures 3.75 inches long and 8.25 inches wide.

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