Reptile's fear understood when picked up (9)

I believe the answer is:

pterosaur

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'reptile's' is the definition.
(pterosaur is a kind of reptile)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for pterosaur that I've seen before include "Fossil flying reptile" , "very old flier" , "Extinct flying reptile" , "ancient flyer" , "Old reptile" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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