By: Rachel Chen

Scientists have recently proved that the Tyrannosaurus rex might have been 70% heavier and 25% longer than the previous estimates.

Scientists studied the Tyrannosaurus rex, or T. rex, by using computer modeling and found that the largest T. rex that ever existed could have been much bigger than previously thought. Scientists now think the T. rex could have weighed about 15 tons and measured about 15 meters.

Scientists used population size, growth rate, life span, and the incomplete fossil records of the T. rex species in this study. Another factor studied was the nonrelative, extended relationship of dinosaurs and living alligators. Scientists believe alligators and dinosaurs were in some ways similar.

Through this study, scientists predict the largest T. rex fossils have not been found. Dr. Jordan Mallon of the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa who worked on the study, says, “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.”

Dr. David Hone of Queen Mary University of London also says this study could affect all research about dinosaurs, not just the T. rex species. He says, “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.”

Image Credit by Diego F. Parra