First-Ever Adult <em>T. rex</em> Trackway Shows the Dinosaur Took 13-Foot Strides
Learn more about the recent discovery of four T. rex tracks and what they tell us about this famous dinosaur.
In a significant discovery, a team of researchers has uncovered the first-ever evidence of an adult Tyrannosaurus rex trackway, revealing the massive dinosaur took 13-foot strides approximately 66.5 million years ago. The trackway, preserved in stone, was found near Marmarth, North Dakota, in the Hell Creek Formation, a notable fossil hotspot.
The team, comprising scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Liverpool John Moores University in England, utilized advanced 3D scanning technology to capture detailed data on the footprints, which are about 23 feet long and each footprint is about 3 feet long, featuring three toes. By analyzing the stride and speed of the T. rex, the researchers determined the dinosaur walked at a brisk pace, roughly equivalent to a human's walking speed.
This discovery, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, provides a rare glimpse into the behavior of these prehistoric creatures, offering a unique perspective on their movements and environment.
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