T. rex moved with bird-like toe-first gait, not flat-footed walk

11 articles · Updated · The Economic Times · Apr 25

A new biomechanical study by Adrian Tussel Boeye and colleagues from US institutions finds T. rex used digitigrade locomotion, with adults reaching speeds of 11–25 mph and juveniles up to 25 mph.
Researchers combined fossil bone measurements, speed-based models, and ichnology evidence, showing T. rex’s mass was supported mainly by its toes, enhancing efficiency and speed estimates by about 20 percent.
This challenges long-held views shaped by popular media, refines speed debates, and encourages more accurate depictions of dinosaur movement in science and entertainment, while highlighting the importance of integrating multiple evidence sources.

How does a bird-like gait change everything we thought we knew about T. Rex's true speed?

Could T. Rex's foot mechanics inspire the design of more efficient large-scale robots?

Could a T. Rex have hunted with the silent, toe-walking stealth of a giant cat?

Was Jurassic Park's iconic T. Rex fundamentally wrong about how the predator moved?

What does T. Rex's bird-like walk reveal about its evolutionary link to modern birds?

Will museums now reposition their T. Rex skeletons to stand permanently on their toes?