T-Rex

SCIENTIFIC NAME: TYRANNOSAURUS REX

"TYRANT LIZARD KING"

Reflecting its immense size and unrivaled dominance, T. rex earns its name as the 'Tyrant Lizard King' - a true ruler among dinosaurs.

QUICK FACTS

  • Time Period

    T. rex existed from approximately 66-68 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period. They were some of the last remaining dinosaurs to walk the Earth.

  • Diet

    T. rex was a carnivorous dinosaur that preyed mainly on large herbivorous dinosaurs. They would also scavenge or resort to cannibalism when necessary.

  • Size

    T. rex could grow up to between 40-45 feet long and could weigh up to 17,600 lbs. It was the largest known land carnivore to have ever existed in North America.

  • Location Found

    T. rex lived in what is now Western North America, notably in Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. The region where it lived was known as an island continent called Laramidia.

OVERVIEW

The Tyrannosaurus rex, or T. rex, was one of the most powerful land predators to ever live, roaming western North America during the late Cretaceous period around 68 to 66 million years ago. With its massive skull, bone-crushing bite, and towering frame, it has become one of the most iconic and well-studied dinosaurs in history.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • T. rex had the strongest bite force of any land animal ever. Estimated at 35,000 newtons, it was strong enough to crush a car
  • Unlike movie portrayals, T. rex probably didn’t roar but made closed-mouth vocalizations, similar to modern crocodiles

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Tyrannosaurus rex was marked by its disproportionately tiny arms—measuring about 3.3 feet long in adults—contrasted by a fearsome set of 50 to 60 banana-sized, serrated teeth designed to tear flesh and crush bone.

Its upright, bipedal posture was balanced by a long, powerful tail that provided stability and agility during pursuits and intense combat.

Notably, T. rex possessed large, forward-facing eyes that granted excellent binocular vision and depth perception, essential for stalking and targeting prey, while its highly developed sense of smell, supported by large olfactory bulbs and extensive brain regions, allowed it to detect prey from miles away.

HABTAT / ENVIRONMENT

Tyrannosaurus rex lived in diverse ecosystems ranging from dense forests and open floodplains to coastal swamps, wetlands, and semi-arid plains near rivers and other water bodies.

The climate during its time was generally warm, humid, and temperate, with seasonal variations that could occasionally bring freezing temperatures.

This rich environment, abundant with vegetation, supported a variety of other fascinating creatures, including Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, Ankylosaurus, the giant flying Quetzalcoatlus, the marine Mosasaurus, and the dome-headed Pachycephalosaurus.

BEHAVIOR AND LIFESTYLE

Tyrannosaurus rex was both an active hunter and scavenger, relying on ambush tactics that used its speed and element of surprise rather than long-distance running.

While not built for sprinting, it was a highly efficient walker, using its powerful tail as a perfect counterbalance to stalk prey over long distances.

Fossil evidence from mass death sites suggests that T. rex may have lived—and possibly hunted—in groups, much like modern wolves.

Although no confirmed nests or eggs have been found, related species indicate that T. rex likely laid eggs in ground nests, and its social behavior hints that juveniles may have stayed with adults for extended periods, benefiting from group protection.

FOSSIL DISCOVERIES

Tyrannosaurus rex was first discovered in 1902 in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana, USA, by American fossil hunter Barnum Brown.

One of the most famous and well-preserved specimens is Sue, a nearly complete T. rex skeleton with over 90% of its bones recovered, providing invaluable insight into the anatomy and life of this iconic predator.

This fact page was checked for accuracy by Paleontologist Evan Jevnikar. Visit his website here for additional resources.

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  • t-rex hat 100% cotton dome hat with curved peak. Embroidered Tyrannosaurus rex skull design with Project Pangaea stitched above and below T. Rex skull. TRD MRK written on the sides.
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