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Why did Tyrannosaurus rex hold its body horizontally while walking?
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tyrannosaur
The fossilized remains of Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world, on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.
Tyrannosaurus rex typically held its body in a horizontal position, parallel to the ground, rather than standing upright. This posture was essential for maintaining stability and agility, particularly when the animal was navigating its environment or pursuing prey.1
In this horizontal orientation, the dinosaur's heavy tail was held off the ground to serve as a vital counterbalance to the weight of its massive body. While an upright stance would have made the T. rex significantly taller—exceeding 6.5 meters (21 feet)—the horizontal carriage was the standard functional posture for this large theropod dinosaur.21