Tyrannosaurus Rex:A Paleobiological Analysis
Taxonomy of Tyrannosaurus rex
Tyrannosaurus rex,
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Sauropsida
Superorder: Dinosauria
Order:Saurischia
Suborder:Theropoda
Infraorder:Coelurosauria
Superfamily:Tyrannosauroidea
Family:Tyrannosauridae
Subfamily:Tyrannosaurinae
Genus:Tyrannosaurus
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Period:Upper Cretaceous
Ages:Maastrichtian
Time Span:67-65 Mya
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Anatomy
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Length:12m(40ft)
Height:4m(12ft) at shoulder
Weight:6.8 metric-tons(7.5 short)
Diet:carnivorous
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The most noticeable feature of Tyrannosaurus rex is it's enormous skull. The skull could measure over five feet long and was packed with rows of razor sharp teeth. The large openings in the skull (fenestrae) rediced the weight of the skull and provided a place where muscle could be attached.
The bone structure of Tyrannosaurus rex is very similar to the structure of modern birds. Both have bones which are filled with tiny honeycombed spaces, reducing the weight of such a massive head. The head of Tyrannosaurus is very wide at the rear, but tapers to a narrow snout at the front. This allowed the powerful predator to have efficient binocular vision. Tyrannosaurus had a very powerful sense of smell, after extensive study of the brain of Tyrannosaurus, it has been discovered that Tyrannosaurus had one of the most powerful olfactory systems of any species in Dinosauria. Tyrannosaurus had powerful legs which enabled it to support it's massive body weight.Estimates on the speed Tyrannosaurus could achieve vary from as fast as 20 meters per second (45mph) to as slow as 5-11 meters per second(11-25 mph.) It is difficult to say how fast
Tyrannosaurus ran because no trackways of Tyrannosaurus have been found where the animal was running. Scientists estimate that the two short arms were used to help lift the Animal off of the ground after it lay down to rest. Scientists also speculate that infant Tyrannosaurus may have had a coat of down to kep warm. This coat would have been eventually lost as the animal grew to maturity. When first discovered,Tyrannosaurus was mounted in an upright "tripod" position with it's tail dragging on the ground. After later finding this posture would have been impossible, the true posture, where the head and tail were parallel with the ground, was devised and all mounted specimans were corrected.
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Predatory Behavior
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Currently, there is a debate in the field of Paleontology as to whether
Tyrannosaurus was primarily a hunter or primarily a scavanger. Pro hunt arguements include teeth for cutting meat and jaw strength to suffocate prey, binocular vision, powerful leg muscles and many fossils which show Tyrannosaurus teeth marks and one particular fossil of a healed Tyrannosaurus bite on a Hadrosaur.
Arguements from the primarily scavanger camp include a powerful sense of smell for detecting rotting carcasses, no real estimate on how fast Tyrannosaurus could run, and the high bite force of Tyrannosaurus which enabled it to crush bone. The consensus among most Paleontologists is that
Tyrannosaurus was an equal oppurtunity feeder. Neither solely a hunter nor solely a scavenger. Like lions today.
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Social Behavior
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Little is known of Tyrannosaurus social behavior, but what we do know paints a fascinating picture of the animal. We know that Tyrannosaurus took care of it's young from fossil nest sites. The parent(s) would bring food from kills and bring it to the juvenile to feed on. It is postulated by Paleontologists that the parent(s) would teach their offspring to hunt before the young went off on its own. Another interesting find suggests that Tyrannosaurus may have cared for injured members of their group. The famous Tyrannosaurus fossil "Sue", Discovered by Susan Hendrickson on the Chyenne River Indian Reservation,South Dakota in 1990, the speciman shows numerous crippling injuries that did not kill the dinosaur. This evidence suggests that other members of "Sue's" group nursed her back to health by bringing her food when she was injured. A stark contrast from the brutal killer image these animals hold for many people.
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Conclusion
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Tyrannosaurus rex, is the iconic image we have when we think of a Dinosaur. It's bones, a sad shadow of what the creature must have looked like in life, exude power and induce terror as we gave at them. But it was also a caring parent and may have even cared for injured each other when injured. Truly, a magnificent animal.
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Reply With Quote
, studies have shown that some dino's, like velociraptors, had feathers.
Originally Posted by Helm
...T-rex sex? 
