By: Ethan Ding

Everybody knows that the Tyrannosaurus Rex was huge, but could it be bigger than we thought? Some researchers found it might be 70% heavier and 25% longer than we think.

A recent study by Dr. Jordan Mallon from the Canadian Museum of Nature sheds new light on this iconic dinosaur’s dimensions. Using computer modeling, the researchers explored the maximum possible size of T. rex, and their findings challenge our previous understanding. The most complete T. rex specimen measures around 12.3–12.4 meters (40–41 feet) in length.

However, estimates suggest that T. rex could have exceeded sizes of up to 13 meters in length, with a hip height of 3.7-4 meters and a mass of 8.8 tonnes.

“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,” Mallon said.

Dr. David Hone of Queen Mary University of London said it could also affecteesearch about all dinos.

“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,” Hone said.

Image Credit by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz