A research team from a museum in Denver discovered the first known series of footprints of an adult Tyrannosaurus rex in the Hell Creek Formation, North Dakota, according to findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The fossilized tracks stretch over 7 meters and capture a moment of prehistoric behavior roughly 66,5 miljoen jaar geleden.
Unprecedented Trackway Sheds Light on T. rex Movement
Previous discoveries of Tyrannosaurus footprints yielded only isolated prints, tracks left by juvenile animals, or footprints from close evolutionary relatives. According to researcher Tyler Lyson, this discovery marks the first time scientists have documented a multi-step sequence belonging to a walking adult T. rex.
“Botten vertellen ons ontzettend veel over deze dieren, maar voetafdrukken leggen een specifiek moment in hun gedrag vast,” Lyson stated, noting that the trackway allows researchers to follow an individual animal moving across an ancient landscape. The four distinct three-toed footprints each measure 91 centimeters in length, with the dinosaur maintaining a stride length of nearly 4 meters.
Did you know? Based on 3D scans of the site, researchers calculated that the North Dakota T. rex traveled at a speed between 5.6 and 7.2 kilometers per hour—roughly the pace of a brisk human walk.
Preservation and Future Display Plans
The site in the Hell Creek Formation yielded exceptional fossil preservation, allowing the research team to capture high-precision 3D scans of the trackway for exact digital reproductions. Museum officials confirmed that three of the four physical footprints will be transferred later this year to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for public study and exhibition.
The timing of the discovery places the dinosaur’s movement shortly before a major meteorite impact ended the Cretaceous period approximately 66 million years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the T. rex footprints found?
According to the published study, the footprints were discovered in the Hell Creek Formation in the state of North Dakota.
How long is the newly discovered trackway?
The fossilized series extends over 7 meters and consists of four distinct three-toed prints.
How fast was the dinosaur walking?
Researchers used 3D scans and stride measurements to determine the animal moved at a speed of approximately 5.6 to 7.2 kilometers per hour.
Where will the footprints be housed?
Three of the four footprints are scheduled to be moved to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science later this year.
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