8 months ago
T. rex Grew Slower and Lived Longer Than Thought
Scientists have found out that the Tyrannosaurus rex, a famous dinosaur, grew more slowly and lived longer than we thought before.
They looked at the bones of 17 T. rex dinosaurs and saw special rings that show how fast they grew.
These rings are like tree rings and help scientists understand how old the dinosaurs were and how big they got.
Before, people thought T. rex grew to be very big by the time they were 25 years old and lived to be about 30.
But now, scientists think they grew bigger and slower, reaching full size around 35 to 40 years.
This means T. rex could hunt different kinds of food and grow very big, making them successful hunters.
The study also used special math to make the growth information more accurate.
This new information helps us understand dinosaurs better.
Scientists discovered T. rex grew more slowly and lived longer than previously believed.
Analysis of 17 T. rex specimens revealed growth rings in leg bones, similar to tree rings.
T. rex reached full size at 35 to 40 years, not 25 years as previously thought.
Fastest growth period was between 14 and 29 years, gaining 800 to 1,200 pounds annually.
Study provides the most comprehensive data on T. rex growth, aiding future dinosaur research.
- Who
- Scientists led by Holly Woodward
- What
- Discovered T. rex grew slower and lived longer than previously thought
- Where
- Analysis conducted on 17 T. rex specimens
- When
- Study published in PeerJ
- Why
- To understand the dinosaur's growth, lifespan, and species classification
Key facts
- Study Source
- PeerJ
- Lead Researcher
- Holly Woodward
- Number of Specimens Analyzed
- 17
- Previous Estimated Adult Size
- 8 tons at 25 years
- New Estimated Full Size Age
- 35 to 40 years
- Fastest Growth Period
- 14 to 29 years
- Annual Weight Gain During Fastest Growth
- 800 to 1,200 pounds
Quotes
Holly Woodward
Anatomy professor at Oklahoma State University and lead author of the study
“This study explains why T. rex was a successful peak hunter.”
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