What Happened
Researchers from UCLA have discovered that Tyrannosaurus rex, often dubbed the “king of the dinosaurs,” had a warm-blooded nature, maintaining an average body temperature of 97°F. This conclusion comes from analyzing the molecular structure of tooth enamel samples taken from three T. rex fossils.
The techniques employed in this research allowed scientists to conclude that T. rex had a body temperature similar to large mammals such as Indian elephants and humans.
Who Said What
The finding is noteworthy as a body temperature of 97°F is considered “unusually high for a reptile,” highlighting the evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and birds. Robert Eagle, a co-author of the study, commented that this new data could shed light on T. rex’s lifestyle, physiology, and even its food requirements.
What Next?
Moving forward, scientists plan to apply similar methodologies to other dinosaurs to understand their thermoregulation better. There remains a wealth of species that could provide insight into the evolution of warm-bloodedness in ancient creatures.
