T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant
Isotope ratios provide a hint that the giants were actively managing temperatures.
For much of the last century, the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex was depicted as a sluggish, sun-warmed reptile. However, recent research has shifted this perception, presenting T. rex as an active, bird-like creature similar to the portrayal in Jurassic Park. The question of whether T. rex possessed warm blood to fuel its activity remained unanswered until now.
A team of geochemists from the University of California, Los Angeles, led by Randon J. Flores and Robert A. Eagle, has made significant progress in determining T. rex's body temperature by analyzing its teeth. The researchers discovered that the dinosaur's body temperature was approximately 36°C, which is comparable to the body temperature of a modern elephant.
This groundbreaking discovery provides valuable insights into the physiology of T. rex and the endothermic nature of dinosaurs.
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- T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant arstechnica.com
