Study Reveals T. Rex Walked on Tiptoes, Resembling Modern Birds
New research indicates that Tyrannosaurus rex moved with a digitigrade, toe-first gait similar to modern birds, challenging previous perceptions of its locomotion.
Recent research published in the journal Royal Society Open Science suggests that Tyrannosaurus rex moved with a digitigrade, toe-first gait, akin to that of modern birds. This challenges the long-held belief that the dinosaur walked flat-footed.
The study involved biomechanical analyses of T. rex leg and foot fossils, leading researchers to conclude that the dinosaur's skeletal structure was optimized for a toe-first stride. Fossilized footprints further support this, showing deeper impressions beneath the toes, indicative of forward-loaded weight distribution.
This toe-first locomotion likely enhanced the T. rex's speed and efficiency. The research estimates that adult T. rex could reach speeds between approximately 11 to 25 miles per hour, with juveniles potentially achieving the higher end of this range.
These findings not only reshape our understanding of T. rex's movement but also strengthen the evolutionary link between theropod dinosaurs and modern birds, highlighting shared locomotor traits.