Tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurus was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous Period, around 68 to 66 million years ago. It belonged to a group of dinosaurs known as theropods, which were mostly two-legged predators. The best-known species is Tyrannosaurus rex, often called T. rex. Its fossils have been found mainly in what is now western North America.

Tyrannosaurus had a body designed for hunting on land. It stood on two strong legs and had a long, heavy tail that helped it balance. Its skull was large and held powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth, some longer than a human hand. These teeth were shaped to crush bone, allowing Tyrannosaurus to feed on large animals. Although its arms were short, they were muscular and had two claws. Scientists think these arms may have helped hold prey or perform other simple tasks.

Fossils show that Tyrannosaurus lived in environments with forests, rivers, and coastal plains. These regions supported many types of animals, such as horned dinosaurs and duck-billed dinosaurs, which may have been common prey. Fossil evidence, including bite marks and bone fragments, helps researchers learn about Tyrannosaurus feeding behavior. Some scientists also study growth rings inside bones to estimate how fast these dinosaurs grew.

Tyrannosaurus is thought to have had strong senses that helped it survive. Studies of fossil skulls suggest that it had good vision and a strong sense of smell. These abilities would have been useful for finding food or noticing movement at a distance. Like other theropods, Tyrannosaurus moved on its hind legs, and its footprints show it had large, bird-like feet.

Many fossils of Tyrannosaurus have been discovered, including several nearly complete skeletons. These remains help scientists understand its size, which could reach more than 12 meters in length. Some fossils show healed injuries or bone marks, suggesting that Tyrannosaurus experienced physical challenges during its life. Skull and jaw fossils also provide clues about how it bit into prey and how its head and neck worked together.

Tyrannosaurus became extinct around 66 million years ago during the mass extinction event that ended the Cretaceous Period. This event caused many species on land and in the oceans to disappear. Today, scientists study Tyrannosaurus fossils to understand how large predators lived, how they were built, and how they changed over time. Museums often display life-size skeletons that help people learn about this well-known dinosaur and its world.