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T. Rex Was Warm-Blooded: New Study Reveals Dinosaur's True Nature
17 Sep
Summary
- T. rex body temperature was an estimated 36.3°C, similar to modern elephants.
- Geochemical analysis of T. rex teeth provided a direct temperature measurement.
- Dinosaur thermoregulation existed on a continuum, not just hot or cold.
A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that the Tyrannosaurus rex was warm-blooded. Researchers estimated its body temperature to be approximately 36.3 degrees Celsius, with a margin of error of 2.5 degrees. This temperature is notably similar to that of modern elephants.
The scientific team analyzed isotopes within fossilized T. rex teeth, dating back 69 to 65 million years. This method provided a relatively direct measurement of the dinosaur's internal body temperature. The findings suggest that T. rex maintained a higher body temperature than contemporaneous cold-blooded animals like crocodiles and clams.
This research provides strong evidence supporting the thesis that tyrannosaurs possessed an elevated metabolism. It highlights that dinosaur thermoregulation likely existed on a continuum, with different species potentially regulating their body temperatures in various ways. This challenges a simplistic cold-blooded or warm-blooded dichotomy.
