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Tyrannosaurus rex was a colossal, apex‑predator theropod that roamed western North America 66–68 million years ago, measuring up to ~46 ft long, weighing ~6 tons, and wielding a massive skull with ~60 bone‑crushing teeth.
- Lived 66–68 Mya in what is now Montana & Wyoming
- Length: 40–46 ft (≈12–14 m)
- Weight: ~6 tons (≈5,400 kg)
- ~60 teeth, each up to 20 cm (8 in) long
- Theropod carnivore: T. rex was a massive, meat‑eating dinosaur belonging to the theropod group1.
- Time & place: It lived 66–68 million years ago in western North America (Montana, Wyoming)2.
- Size range: Adults reached up to ~40 ft, with the largest individuals approaching ~46 ft in length and weighing around 6 tons610.
- Dental arsenal: It possessed roughly 60 large, bone‑crushing teeth up to 20 cm long7.
Overview
Tyrannosaurus rex (commonly abbreviated T. rex) was a massive carnivorous theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous, about 66–68 million years ago in what is now the western United States (Montana, Wyoming, and surrounding regions)2.
Size & Physical Traits
- Length: Most estimates place adult individuals at ≈40 ft (12 m), with the largest specimens reaching ≈46 ft (14 m)610.
- Height: Hip height is generally reported as 12–13 ft (3.6–4 m)610, though some popular descriptions cite a total standing height of ≈15 ft1.
- Weight: About 6 tons (≈5,400 kg), with variations depending on the specimen3.
- Skull & Teeth: A massive skull bearing ≈60 teeth, each up to 20 cm (8 in) long, capable of crushing bone and even a small car7.
Lifestyle
- Apex Predator: As the largest terrestrial carnivore of its time, T. rex likely hunted large herbivores such as hadrosaurs and juvenile ceratopsians1.
- Locomotion: Biomechanical studies suggest it could sprint up to 20 mph (≈32 km/h) in short bursts, despite its bulk3.
Fossil Record
Over 50 relatively complete specimens have been recovered, providing detailed insight into its growth, anatomy, and possible behavior6.
Cultural Impact
- T. rex remains a cultural icon, appearing in museums, documentaries, and even humorous media (e.g., a “best pet” video imagining a juvenile T. rex as a household companion)5.
In summary, Tyrannosaurus rex was a colossal, highly adapted predator that dominated its ecosystem at the very end of the dinosaur era, leaving an enduring legacy in both science and popular imagination.