T. rex had a robust build, with a massive skull that could measure more than 1.5 meters long, and a jaw equipped with large, sharp teeth, some of which could measure up to 30 centimeters long. These teeth were adapted to crush bones and tear the flesh of its prey, making it a superpredator in its ecosystem.
Despite its small arms, which barely reached a meter in length, these were incredibly strong and had two fingers with large claws. Although the exact function of these arms has been debated, it is thought that they may have been used to hold prey or during mating. In contrast, its powerful hind legs, with large claws and formidable musculature, allowed it to move quickly, although it was probably not a fast runner due to its enormous size.
T. rex had a long, heavy tail that helped it maintain balance, especially when moving at high speeds or turning quickly. Its eyesight and sense of smell were extremely developed, giving it a considerable advantage as a hunter, able to detect prey at great distances.
This dinosaur inhabited what is now North America, in a variety of environments ranging from forests to open plains. It was an apex predator, feeding on large herbivorous dinosaurs such as hadrosaurs and ceratopsians, although it may also have been a scavenger on occasion.
The Tyrannosaurus rex has captured the popular imagination as the archetype of the ferocious and dominating dinosaur, depicted in countless films, books and documentaries. Its discovery and study have provided a wealth of insight into the biology and behaviour of large theropods. Even though its reign ended abruptly with the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous, the T. rex remains an enduring symbol of the age of the dinosaurs.
Approximate measurements of the Tyrannosaurus rex:
- Scale 1:35 Complete
- Length 224 mm
- Height 113 mm
- Width 132 mm
- Snout-tail length 345 mm