New research indicates that Tyrannosaurus rex may have run on its tip-toes, challenging long-held beliefs about the dinosaur's locomotion. Scientists from the College of the Atlantic in Maine analysed T.Rex anatomy, fossilised tracks, and modern bird movement to create a model of how the predator's feet struck the ground.
The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests a 'toe-first' pattern, contradicting the heel-stomping gait popularised by films like Jurassic Park. This bird-like stride could have made T.Rex 20 per cent faster than previously thought, with a top speed of up to 24.6 mph (39.6 km/h), though still slower than Usain Bolt's record of 27.78 mph (44.72 km/h).
Researchers also found that T.Rex likely took shorter, more frequent steps. 'Detailed reconstructions of track formation show a toe-first pattern reinforcing this behaviour being widespread among T.Rex,' the study notes. This shift in understanding could have significant implications for how the dinosaur hunted and moved.
Separate studies from 2024 suggest T.Rex may have been up to 70 per cent heavier than previously thought, weighing up to 15 tonnes, and may have had iron-coated teeth for tearing prey. The new findings add to a growing body of research redefining the iconic dinosaur's biology.
