By: Chloe Ong

The Tyrannosaurus rex is known for its enormous size, but researchers have recently suggested it might have been even bigger than previously estimated. According to a new study, the T. rex could have been up to 25% longer and 70% heavier than the largest specimens we know from fossils.

The study, published in the scientific journal Ecology and Evolution, used computer modeling rather than relying only on fossil evidence. This computer model assessed a range of factors, including population size, growth rates, life spans, and the incomplete nature of the fossil record. The researchers arrived at some shocking estimations by comparing these factors to modern alligators chosen for their large size and evolutionary kinship to dinosaurs.

Dr. Jordan Mallon from the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, who contributed to the research, called attention to the suggestions for these findings.

“Our study suggests that, for big fossil animals like T. rex, we really have no idea from the fossil record about the absolute sizes they might have reached.”

“It’s fun to think about a 15 tonne T. rex, but the implications are also interesting from a biomechanical or ecological perspective.”

The discoveries suggest that the largest T. rex could have weighed approximately 15 tons and measured 15 meters in length. This new estimated size represents a significant increase compared to the size of the largest known T. rex from fossil records.

Dr. David Hone from Queen Mary University of London noted that these findings could have bigger implications for dinosaur research.

“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.

“Some isolated bones and pieces certainly hint at still larger individuals than for which we currently have skeletons.”

Researchers have tried to understand the mystery of how dinosaurs evolved to such enormous sizes. The study emphasizes that our current knowledge of dinosaur specieses is based on only a few specimens, suggesting that we still may not know what the largest individuals are.

This study emphasizes the limitations of fossil records and the potential for new discoveries that could further change our understanding of prehistoric life. The new computer model provides a new perspective on how large these ancient giants could have been.

Image Credit by Wallace Silva