Ripper = implies = really sharp pointy and dangerous Dactyl = means = claws, digits, fingers Q: Ripperdactyls have huge jaws —that is their special thing?— are their claws any different from Terradons? Terra = means = either “Earth” or “terror/terrible” Dons = means = teeth. (As in periodontal.) Q: Are the names of these two flying creatures hopelessly WassAckBards ? Someone else’s very nice picture
Q1: at least Ripperdactyls also have their "slashing claws" attack. So not completely weird. Q2: perhaps they wanted to call them after Pteranodons but that was a real name, and everybody just pronounced it Terradons anyway. Q3: very likely: yes.