The short version
- Researchers have identified the first known trackway from an adult Tyrannosaurus rex in North Dakota's Hell Creek Formation.
- The four-foot sequence suggests the animal was walking at a brisk pace of roughly three to four and a half miles per hour.
- Three of the prints are scheduled for extraction and transport to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science later this year.
Scientists have confirmed the discovery of the first known series of footprints belonging to an adult Tyrannosaurus rex, marking a significant advancement in paleontological understanding. The trackway, located in the Hell Creek Formation in southwestern North Dakota, consists of four distinct three-toed impressions. This finding provides rare behavioral data that skeletal remains alone cannot offer, allowing researchers to observe how these apex predators moved across their environment during the final days of the Cretaceous period.
The discovery was initially made last year by a collaborative team involving researchers from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado and Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. While isolated footprints and tracks from juvenile dinosaurs or related species have been documented previously, this specific sequence represents the first identified trail left by a wandering adult T. rex. The publication of these findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal underscores the rarity and importance of the specimen.
The trackway spans approximately 23 feet and includes two left and two right footprints. Each individual impression measures about three feet in length, with a stride length of roughly 13 feet between steps. These dimensions provide critical metrics for estimating the size and gait of the animal. The precision of these measurements helps refine previous assumptions about T. rex locomotion, which have historically relied heavily on bone structure analysis rather than direct evidence of movement.
To document the site with high accuracy, the research team employed high-resolution 3D surface scanning technology. This process allowed them to create detailed digital models and physical reproductions of each footprint. By analyzing the depth, shape, and spacing of the impressions, scientists were able to estimate that the dinosaur was traveling at a speed between 3.5 and 4.5 miles per hour. This pace is comparable to a brisk human walk, suggesting the animal was moving steadily rather than running or sprinting.
The footprints date back approximately 66.5 million years, placing them near the end of the Cretaceous period. T. rex lived during this window, roughly between 66 and 68 million years ago, standing about 12 to 13 feet tall. These creatures were among the last non-avian dinosaurs to inhabit Earth before a catastrophic mass extinction event eliminated them. The timing of these prints offers a glimpse into the behavior of these animals just prior to their disappearance from the fossil record.
Tyler Lyson, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Denver museum, emphasized the unique value of trackways in understanding dinosaur behavior. He noted that while bones provide extensive information about anatomy and physiology, footprints capture a specific moment of action. The ability to follow an animal’s path across the landscape is exceptionally rare for T. rex, making this discovery particularly valuable for reconstructing the daily lives of these predators.
The initial identification of the site is credited to Kent Hups, a long-time museum volunteer and schoolteacher from Colorado. Hups, who co-authored the research paper, described the discovery as a testament to the power of curiosity and careful observation. His role in finding the trackway highlights how amateur enthusiasts can contribute significantly to scientific progress when they apply rigorous attention to detail in the field.
Plans are underway to recover three of the four footprints later this year. The specimens will be extracted using helicopter support and transported to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for further study and potential public display. This recovery operation aims to preserve the fragile geological context while allowing scientists to conduct more detailed analyses in a controlled environment. The remaining footprint may stay in situ to protect the integrity of the site.
This discovery fills a notable gap in the fossil record by providing direct evidence of adult T. rex movement. Previous studies have often relied on skeletal comparisons with modern animals or theoretical models to infer gait and speed. The physical presence of these footprints allows for more concrete conclusions about how these massive creatures navigated their terrain. As researchers continue to analyze the data, new insights into the ecology and behavior of late Cretaceous ecosystems may emerge.
The Hell Creek Formation has long been a hotspot for dinosaur fossils, yielding numerous T. rex skeletons over the decades. However, trace fossils like footprints are far less common due to the specific conditions required for their preservation. The survival of this trackway offers a unique opportunity to study not just what T. rex looked like, but how it lived and moved in its final moments before extinction. Future research may focus on correlating these findings with other environmental data from the region.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗One giant step: first known T rex footprints found in North Dakota
