A new fossil discovery suggests that some tyrannosaur species were opportunistic scavengers, even consuming the remains of their larger T. rex relatives. Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark identified 16 precise bite marks on a massive tyrannosaur foot bone, dating back approximately 75 million years.
Evidence of Scavenging
The bite marks indicate a smaller tyrannosaur fed on the corpse of a significantly larger relative, demonstrating they ate down to the last scraps. The study, published in Evolving Earth by Josephine Nielsen, found no signs of healing on the bone, confirming the marks were from late-stage carcass consumption.
Implications for Tyrannosaur Behavior
This discovery highlights that tyrannosaurs did not let resources go to waste, consuming even tough bones with little decaying meat. The findings shed light on the scavenging habits of these apex predators, revealing a darker side to their diet.
Researchers describe the process as "like solving an ancient murder mystery," piecing together clues from the fossilized remains. The study adds to growing evidence that tyrannosaurs were not solely hunters but also opportunistic feeders.
