Tyrannosaurus
dinosaur genus
Also known as: Tyrannosaurus
Quick Summary
skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex
Skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex constructed from specimens discovered in 1902 and 1908 in the Hell Creek Formation, Montana, U.S., by fossil hunter Barnum Brown; displayed at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Tyrannosaurus rex was a large predatory dinosaur that lived in western North America during the late Cretaceous Period, approximately 66 million years ago. Its name means "king of the tyrant lizards".12
Key Characteristics:
- Size: Adults could weigh between 4,000 to 7,000 kg (9,000 to 15,000 pounds) and measure over 12 meters (39 feet) long.12
- Hunting: T. rex could run up to 32 km/h (20 mph) over short distances and possessed a powerful bite capable of crushing bone. It may have also been a scavenger.12
- Anatomy: It had a massive skull, some exceeding 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) in length, with about 60 teeth that could grow up to 15 cm (6 inches) long. Its forelimbs were notably small.32
- Fossils: Fossils are found primarily in the United States and Canada.12
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