Study Finds 5.5-Pound Baby T. Rex Hunted Soon After Hatching
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 24
Study Finds 5.5-Pound Baby T. Rex Hunted Soon After Hatching
2 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 24
Summary
A new Biology study says baby T. rex and Gorgosaurus libratus left the nest soon after hatching and were already active hunters.
CT scans of hatchling foot bones showed no growth rings and dense blood-vessel networks, indicating the animals were nearly newborn yet growing fast and moving early.
Fossil teeth from both species also showed wear at the tips—damage like that seen in adults—suggesting the hatchlings were biting bone and tackling prey.
At about 5.5 pounds, a baby T. rex was roughly house-cat sized, and researchers say clutches of 20 to 30 eggs point to many small young that could fend for themselves quickly.