T. Rex Had a Body Temperature Similar to Humans, Study Finds
Researchers used fossilized teeth to determine the ancient predator's core temperature, revealing a metabolic rate comparable to modern mammals.
Using fossilized teeth, scientists have determined that the Tyrannosaurus rex had a body temperature remarkably similar to that of modern humans.
For decades, scientists debated whether dinosaurs were cold-blooded like reptiles or warm-blooded. While many paleontologists now agree that T. rex was warm-blooded, pinpointing its exact core body temperature has remained a challenge. Previous methods, such as studying growth patterns or bone structure, provided indirect clues but no definitive number.
A new study, published in the journal Science Advances, employed a novel technique by analyzing the chemical composition of fossilized T. rex teeth. The researchers found that atoms within the enamel clump together in specific ways that are dependent on an animal's body temperature during tooth formation.
Analysis of three T. rex teeth indicated an average body temperature of approximately 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius). This temperature is comparable to that of modern elephants and falls within the typical range for humans, which is between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36 to 37 degrees Celsius).
"We figured out how warm the most famous animal of all, a T. rex, was," said co-author Aradhna Tripati, a geochemist at the University of California, Los Angeles.
This finding suggests that T. rex maintained a stable internal temperature, which would have allowed it to thrive across various climates in prehistoric North America. A consistent body temperature is crucial for metabolic efficiency, influencing an animal's activity levels, growth, and prey requirements.
Some experts, like paleobiologist Jasmina Wiemann, who was not involved in the study, expressed slight surprise at the T. rex's temperature, having anticipated a slightly higher reading similar to modern birds, which are descendants of dinosaurs. However, the researchers suggest that this temperature allowed the T. rex to be an effective predator.
"There’s lots of interesting, charismatic species that could be explored using this," said study co-author Robert Eagle, a geobiologist at UCLA, emphasizing the potential for applying this method to other extinct species to further understand dinosaur physiology and behavior.