How a baby T-Rex bites
Researchers use 3D modelling to examine the jaws of different-sized tyrannosaurs.
Finite element analysis results for an adult Tyrannosaurus rex (FMNH PR 2081) jaw demonstrating a range of biting stresses. Blue and green (cool colors) denote the lowest amount of stresses experienced whereas red and white (hot colors) display the highest. Credit: Andre Rowe
The fearsome jaws of
Tyrannosaurus rex have long captured the popular imagination. Now, a new study from the University of Bristol, UK, has revealed a more nuanced picture of that famous bite, showing that juvenile T-Rexes lacked the powerful bite force of their adult counterparts, and probably hunted different kinds of prey.
IMAGE: Skeletons of four tyrannosaurid specimens tested in the study view more
Credit: Clockwise from above left: adult Tyrannosaurus rex Sue (FMNH PR 2081) (Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL; photo by the Field Museum), juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex Jane (BMRP 2002.4.1) (Burpee.
By closely examining the jaw mechanics of juvenile and adult tyrannosaurids, some of the fiercest dinosaurs to inhabit earth, scientists led by the University of Bristol have uncovered differences in how they bit into their prey.
They found that younger tyrannosaurs were incapable of delivering the bone-crunching bite that is often synonymous with the Tyrannosaurus Rex and that adult specimens were far better equipped for tearing out chunks of flesh and bone with their massive, deeply set jaws.
It s often referred to as the King of the Dinosaurs , but a new study suggests that T.Rex wasn t so scary after all - at least while it was a teen.
Researchers have analysed the jaw mechanics of young and adult tyrannosaurids to uncover how they bit into their prey.
Their analysis suggests that younger tyrannosaurs were incapable of delivering bone-crushing bits, and that adults were much better at tearing out chunks of flesh from their prey.
This indicates that younger tyrannousaurs may have targeted smaller prey, before moving on to larger creatures as they aged and their jaws became stronger.
The
Tyrannosaurus rex is one of the most well known of all the dinosaurs, particularly notable for its ferocious jaws.
Adult tyrannosaurs – including the species
T. rex – used a “puncture-pull” biting technique, in which they bit down and swallowed chunks of flesh and bone. But, it turns out, young tyrannosaurs didn’t possess the deep jaws necessary to undertake such a bite. Their jaws weren’t equipped to deal with the significant stresses of biting in this way.
In a new study, my colleague Eric Snively of Oklahoma State University and I examined how tyrannosaur feeding strategies may have changed as they got older. In doing so, we uncovered several interesting aspects of the
Bite of juvenile T. rex was less ferocious than an adult tyrannosaurus
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The juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex had a weaker bite than adult counterparts, according to a study by researchers in Britain. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaurs were less powerful than those of their older counterparts, according to a new study.
The fossil record is rich with the bones of adult
T. rex dinosaurs, allowing for detailed analysis of the predator s powerful bite a bite strong enough to crush bones and help
T. rex take down large, plant-eating dinosaurs.
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Previously, scientists determined the adult