By: Summer Lin
Experts have discovered that the Tyrannosaurus Rex might have been bigger than people think. After a closer study of dinosaur fossils by scientists of Queen Mary University of London and others and digital help, scientists have discovered that the dinosaurs aren’t as small as people think they were. They discovered that the T-Rex might’ve been 70% heavier and 25% longer than previously thought. [1]
Originally, scientists thought the T-Rex was smaller than it is, even though fossil specimens indicate that adult T. rex could be up to 40 feet long and 12 feet tall. According to the American Museum of Natural History, The T-Rex is also estimated to weigh between 11,000 and 15,500 pounds while alive. [2] This again proves its huge size.
Using computer modeling, scientists created a model based on alligators, chosen because of their size and their being relatives of the T-Rex. The T-Rex’s weight and length were estimated to be 15 tons and measured 15 meters. This also hinted that some other dinosaurs might be larger than previously thought. The size discovery might not only apply to the T-Rex but a broad spectrum of Dinosaurs, or maybe all dinosaurs.
Dr David Hone is a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs who works on the predatory behavior and ecology of large carnivores.
“It’s important to stress that this isn’t really about T. rex, which is the basis of our study, but this issue would apply to all dinosaurs, and lots of other fossil species.” Hone said. o[1]
This size discovery helped scientists learn about dinosaur’s lives and evolution. Isolated bones discovered might be hinting that there are even bigger dinosaurs.
“Some isolated bones and pieces certainly hint at still larger individuals than for which we currently have skeletons,” Hone said.[1]
If this discovery were true, it would revolutionize the discovery of dinosaurs, helping scientists create bigger and more accurate models of dinosaurs.
[1] CBBC: Was T.rex MUCH bigger than anyone knew?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cxw21gejr9jo
[2] American Museum of natural history : T-Rex
https://www.amnh.org/dinosaurs/tyrannosaurus-rex#:~:text=Learn%20about%20how%20scientists%20study,like%20the%20one%20shown%20here.