Dinosaur Facts Discovered Since You Were in School

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Dinosaur Facts Discovered Since You Were in School

By Trista - December 31, 2021

4. These Behemoths Hunted In A Strange Way

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the most well-known dinosaurs. You can find this giant on the big screen, in the toy aisle, and for various decorations and party themes. It’s a dinosaur we all know well, or so we thought. Did you know these monsters actually hunted in packs? Initially, these massive dinosaurs were lone hunters, but new evidence has emerged that may change the way we think. Fossils found in Utah at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument tell us a different story. These fossils show that dinosaurs hunted in packs rather than alone. The fossils also indicate something about the way they cared for their young!

Scientists now believe that the Tyrannosaurus Rex was actually a social creature. In fact, this large dino probably even enjoyed the company of others, especially while hunting. We’re sure you can imagine how much easier it would be to take down prey when there’s a group of these behemoths instead of a lone hunter. Scientists came up with this shocking discovery by studying the fossils of four T. Rexes that were found near each other. Chemical analysis of the soil and fossils show they died around the same time, leading scientists and paleontologists to believe they were hunting together. Keep reading for more interesting dinosaur facts!

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3. Let’s Talk About Growth Spurts

Like humans during their teenage years, dinosaurs went through growth spurts that helped them grow into the enormous dinosaurs we know today. The Tyrannosaurus Rex is no exception. A study published in Science Advances talks about T. Rexes going through growth spurts and growing into their full size during their teenage years. Scientists previously thought that the smaller T. Rexes were different dinosaurs entirely. Advancements in science have changed the way we look at these dinosaurs. Studies on two skeletons prove the growth spurt theory due to the size of the bones and their body structures. Keep reading to learn more about these growth spurts.

A paleontologist by the name of Steve Brusatte believes most scientists are unfamiliar with the growth spurt theory as it’s a relatively new idea. It’s amazing to think these dinosaurs went from tiny hatchlings to 19,000-pound behemoths. A growth spurt had to happen somewhere during their lives to make that happen, right? It was discovered that their teenage years were a likely age for the growth spurts to occur due to evidence from the bones studied. Originally thought to be Pygmy dinosaurs, these teenage T. Rexes have taught scientists and paleontologists much about their younger years. Keep reading for more interesting facts you never knew!

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2. Scientists Discovered New Information About Connections Between Birds And Dinosaurs

A paleontologist named Takuya Imai made an important discovery in 2013 that changed the way we look at the evolution between dinosaurs and modern-day birds. They discovered an Early Cretaceous period bird in Japan, which was the first one to be similar to modern-day birds. They found the bird first outside of China and named it Fukuipteryx prima. This bird had an intact skeleton that was perfect for study. Nature magazine reported it in 2019. Since then, it has become an essential topic of discussion between paleontologists. It helps scientists to understand better how birds evolved.

They believed the bird skeleton was one year old when it passed away, leading scientists to understand better the bird and its connection to the period in which it lived. Finding this intact skeleton provides much-needed information about these primitive birds and their connection to modern-day birds. As an example, Fukuipteryx prima is similar to modern-day birds in that their tailbones are the same. It’s interesting to see the connections between birds that lived millions of years ago to the birds we see today. You never know when someone will find a new skeleton, giving scientists more information and a better understanding of how our world works.

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1. A Scene From Jurassic Park Couldn’t Have Happened

We’re sure you all remember the scene from Jurassic Park where a Tyrannosaurus Rex outruns a Jeep. Well, we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but this couldn’t have happened. Scientists believed that the T. Rex couldn’t have run that fast due to the size of its legs. Paleontologists initially thought the T. Rex could have run upwards of 33 miles per hour, but that estimation has since been revoked. A study done in 2017 with computer models shows these vast dinosaurs couldn’t have run any faster than 12 miles per hour. That’s a bid difference from chasing down a Jeep in the movies!

It’s incredible to think of the advancements in science that bring us this new information. When we were in school, we learned all about dinosaurs. However, with new research over the years, the authors need to update their textbooks. That way, everyone can learn about the much-needed information and new findings that change the way we think of these prehistoric creatures. The T. Rex is one of the most well-known dinosaurs due to its size and appearance. Gathering new information will help scientists give us a clearer picture of how these dinosaurs lived. Hopefully, one day, we’ll have a better understanding of the way they lived, hunted, parented, and more.

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