Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the most iconic and fearsome dinosaurs that existed during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 68-66 million years ago, continues to surprise science with new discoveries that expand our understanding of its biology and behavior. This predator, which inhabited what is now North America, measured up to 12-13 meters long and could reach a height of around 4 meters at the hip. Its weight ranged between 8 and 10 tons, making it one of the largest known theropods.
T. rex had a massive skull, more than 1.5 meters long, equipped with powerful jaws and an extremely strong bite, considered one of the most powerful among land animals. Its teeth were sharp, with serrated edges, designed to tear flesh and break bones, and could measure up to 30 centimeters. One of the most recent findings suggests that T. rex was not only an opportunistic scavenger, but also an active hunter, capable of taking down large prey thanks to its combination of speed, strength and ambush strategy.
As for its limbs, T. rex had long and robust hind legs, allowing it to move at an estimated speed of up to 20-30 km/h over short distances. Although the front limbs were small compared to its size, they were around 1 metre long and were equipped with two strong claws, the function of which is still a matter of debate, but they likely served to hold prey or assist in other tasks during feeding or reproduction.
Recent studies have revealed fascinating details about its behaviour and physiology. Fossil analysis has indicated that T. rex had an excellent sense of smell, probably aided by a large olfactory lobe in its brain, allowing it to detect prey or carrion at great distances. Furthermore, biomechanical studies have suggested that, despite its large size, its skeleton was optimized to withstand the impact and forces generated by its weight during locomotion.
Another recent discovery is the possibility that T. rex had feathers in its youth. Although not completely covered in feathers, juvenile specimens likely had partial plumage, which probably served a thermoregulatory function. As they grew and reached their adult size, they may have lost much of this plumage due to their colossal size, which would have allowed them to retain body heat more efficiently.
As for its social behavior, although T. rex was initially thought to be a solitary hunter, some studies of fossil footprints suggest that it may have lived in small groups or at least occasionally cooperated with other individuals, especially in hunting or feeding situations. In addition, marks on the fossils reveal signs of intraspecific aggression, indicating that there may have been territorial or hierarchical competition between individuals.
The most recent analysis of its fossils has also provided information about its lifespan. Tyrannosaurus rex are estimated to have lived around 28-30 years in the wild, with rapid growth during their teenage years, followed by a slower pace as they reached maturity.
Approximate measurements of the T-Rex:
- 1:35 scale Complete
- Length 340 mm
- Height 131 mm
- Width 70 mm
- Snout-tail length 500 mm
