The infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex – or T. rex – could have weighed up to 33,000 pounds (15,000 kg) when it roamed the Earth.
It’s a little more than the weight of two elephants or a London double-decker bus, and it’s 70% more than previously thought.
Researchers at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa built a model that predicted the maximum size of the prehistoric beast.
So far, only 32 adult specimens of T. rex have been discovered out of an estimated population of 2.5 billion.
The largest of these is “Scotty”, who weighed over 19,400 pounds (8,800 kg) and was over 42 feet (13 m) long when he traveled through what is now the western part of North America between 68 and 66 million years ago.
However, the researchers say the specimens discovered may not be an accurate representation of the species, and undiscovered individuals may have been much larger.
Tyrannosaurs rex (pictured) was a species of bird-like carnivorous dinosaur. It lived 68 to 66 million years ago in what is now the western part of North America.
WHAT IS THE T-REX?
Tyrannosaurus rex was a species of bird-like carnivorous dinosaur.
It lived 68 to 66 million years ago in what is now the western part of North America.
They could grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) long and 12 feet (4 meters) high.
Over 50 fossilized specimens of T. rex have been collected to date.
The monstrous animal had one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom.
Artist’s impression of the T. Rex
Paleontologists Jordan Mallon and Dr. Dave Hone first collected data on the population size and average lifespan of T. rex.
They used this data to build two models that predict the dinosaur’s typical growth curve over its lifetime.
One of these models assumed that the species exhibited sexual dimorphism in body size – where females and males attain different weights – and the other did not.
Dr Mallon told Live Science: “If T. rex were dimorphic, we estimate it would have weighed up to 53,000 lbs (24,000 kg), but we rejected this model because if true, we would have found even bigger individuals now. .’
Earlier this year, another study claimed that T. rex could actually be three species, including T. regina, or the “queen of the dinosaurs,” and T. imperator.
However, this was later refuted by other scientists who said there was not enough evidence to split the iconic species.
The researchers presented their model and prediction for the body weight of T. rex adults at the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology earlier this month.
While Mr. Mallon confirmed on Twitter that he is “tweaking” the final manuscript of this research, he also cautioned that the results are speculative until a specimen of this size is discovered.
He tweeted: “Our calculations on the back of the envelope suggest that a 15,000 kg animal is mechanically feasible, but this will require more rigorous testing.”
“We’re talking about the equivalent of humans who are 6’9,” added Dr. Hone, on Twitter.
The largest dinosaur specimen ever discovered is ‘Scotty’ (pictured), who weighed over 19,400lbs (8,800kg) and was over 42ft (13m) long when alive
Research last year found that humans could have outrun the T. Rex, as they enjoyed a “quiet” ride at just 2.8 miles per hour (4.6 km per hour).
Scientists estimated the stride length of a T. rex specimen called ‘Trix’ and reconstructed its tail to determine the rate at which it would swing.
The walking speed of the animal was thus comparable to that of emus, elephants, horses and humans.
Other studies have investigated why the dinosaur had such small arms compared to its body.
A 45-foot-long T. rex, for example, might have had a five-foot-long skull, but only three-foot-long arms — the equivalent of a 6-foot human with five-inch arms. .
Study suggests they evolved them to reduce risk of being bitten by others Starving T. rex adults as they devour a carcass.
Another claims that dinosaurs with smaller forelimbs used them to hold on to during mating or to help them get up after a fall.
T. rex had complex nerve sensors at the end of its jaws to help it recognize what it ate, study finds
Tyrannosaurus rex had nerves in its jaw that would have allowed it to recognize various parts of its prey and eat them differently.
That’s the conclusion of experts from Fukui Prefectural University, who scanned the fossilized lower jaw of a T. rex and reconstructed the nerve pattern inside.
The fearsome reptiles may also have been adept enough with their mouths to use them to make nests, care for their young, and even communicate with each other.
While the internal structure of the jaw has already been studied in several fossil reptiles, this is the first such study to focus on T. rex, the team said.
Learn more here
Tyrannosaurus rex had nerves in its jaw (shown in orange) that allowed it to recognize various parts of its prey and eat them differently
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