T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   T. rex teeth suggest warm-blooded metabolism

   Tyrannosaurus rex had a warm-blooded body temperature similar to humans and elephants, according to a new study. Analysis of a 66-million-year-old tooth indicates the dinosaur maintained a body temperature of 97 degrees. This evidence suggests the predator operated with a high metabolic rate rather than relying on external heat sources. The findings align the T. rex's thermal profile with modern endothermic mammals, challenging older views of dinosaur physiology.

   Why it matters

   Determining whether dinosaurs were cold-blooded or warm-blooded affects understanding of their growth rates and activity levels. This research uses dental chemistry to reconstruct prehistoric body temperatures.

   What is confirmed

   • T. rex was a warm-blooded dinosaur.
   • The body temperature of T. rex was similar to that of humans.

   Still unconfirmed

   • T. rex had a body temperature of 97 degrees.
   • T. rex ran as warm as an elephant.

   What to watch next

   • Analysis of additional T. rex teeth to confirm temperature consistency
   • Comparative studies of other theropod dinosaur teeth
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Ars Technica — T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant
   2. Smithsonian Magazine — Tyrannosaurus Rex Was a Warm-Blooded Dinosaur, With a Body Temperature Similar to That of Humans, Study Suggests
   3. The New York Times — T. Rex, King of the Dinosaurs, Had a Body Temperature of 97 Degrees
   4. Scientific American — T. rex was as warm-blooded as humans, new study finds
   5. sciencedaily.com — A 66-million-year-old tooth reveals T. rex was nearly as warm as a human
   confidence 80%