Tyrannosaurus rex had warm blood, scientists confirm
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Paleontologists at the University of California Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Natural History Museum determined Tyrannosaurus rex maintained an internal body temperature of approximately 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers used a refined technique to examine fossilized tooth enamel, analyzing carbon and oxygen bonds to reveal the dinosaur’s thermoregulation. This method, previously used to study the extinct megalodon shark, required a smaller sample size than earlier attempts, allowing the museum to contribute teeth from a T. rex specimen named Thomas.
Previous studies suggested many dinosaurs were more active than once believed, leading scientists to reconsider assumptions about their blood temperature. The team’s chemical analysis provided the first conclusive evidence supporting the theory that T. rex was warm-blooded, a characteristic consistent with its predatory lifestyle and ability to inhabit a wide range of climates. The ability to determine internal temperature from fossilized remains was a challenge for paleontologists for years. Early methods required large fossil samples, risking damage to rare specimens.
The recent methodological advancements made it possible to extract enough material for analysis without significantly harming the fossils, finally enabling this research. This discovery explains how T. rex fossils have been found in colder regions like present-day Alaska, areas where cold-blooded reptiles would not have survived.
