Tarbosaurus shared many characteristics with its North American relative, Tyrannosaurus rex. It was a bipedal carnivore with a large, robust body, short, muscular hind legs, and extremely small arms with sharp claws. It had a large, powerful head, with a mouth full of serrated teeth and an extremely strong bite, making it one of the most formidable predators of its time.
Tarbosaurus was characterized by its long, narrow skull compared to other tyrannosaurids, and had backward-curving teeth that allowed it to effectively grab and tear the flesh of its prey. It is believed to have hunted a variety of animals, including herbivorous dinosaurs of the time, such as hadrosaurs and ceratopsids.
In terms of size, Tarbosaurus was a giant. It is estimated that it reached a length of up to 12 meters (about 40 feet) and a height of around 4 meters (about 13 feet) at the hip. This made it comparable in size to Tyrannosaurus rex and other tyrannosaurids.
The name "Tarbosaurus" means "terrifying lizard" and refers to its impressive and terrifying appearance. Tarbosaurus fossils have been found mainly in Mongolia and some parts of China. Its presence in Asia during the Cretaceous suggests that it shared ecosystems with other notable dinosaurs, such as Velociraptor and Protoceratops.
Tarbosaurus is an important example of the diversity of tyrannosaurids in the Cretaceous, and its study has contributed to the understanding of the evolution and ecology of these predators in different parts of the world.
Approximate measurements of the Tarbosaurus:
- Scale 1:35 - 215 mm