Researchers have discovered that the Tyrannosaurus rex may have been warm-blooded, similar to modern birds and mammals. By analyzing the teeth of T. rex using a method called clumped isotope thermometry, scientists found that the dinosaur’s body temperature was about 36° Celsius, akin to that of an elephant. This technique measures the bonding of heavy isotopes in tooth enamel, which reflects the temperature at which the enamel formed, providing a more accurate estimate of the dinosaur’s body temperature. This finding challenges the long-held view of T. rex as a cold-blooded reptile and suggests it might have been more active and bird-like. The study used teeth from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, comparing them with crocodilian teeth to validate the results.
QUESTION: How might the discovery that T. rex was warm-blooded change our understanding of dinosaur behavior and their environment?
T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant
