Forget everything you thought you knew about the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex! For decades, we’ve pictured this prehistoric superstar as a terrifying, scaly beast with a perpetually toothy grin and thunderous, flat-footed strides. But hold onto your hats, dino-fans, because scientists are giving our favorite predator a serious makeover, revealing a T-rex that’s surprisingly different from its blockbuster movie portrayal.
First up, those infamous teeth? New research suggests T-rex might have sported fleshy lips, much like modern lizards. Instead of those fearsome fangs always on display, they could have been neatly tucked away, giving our rex a less perpetually menacing, dare we say, slightly more… reserved look.
And the scales? Think again! Some scientists are now envisioning a T-rex with a fluffy coat of feathers, perhaps making it look more like a giant, intimidating bird than a scaly monster. Imagine that – a feathered king of the dinosaurs!
But perhaps the most jaw-dropping revelation concerns its walk. Forget the slow, heavy lumber. A recent study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, analyzed fossilized tracks and the T-rex’s leg anatomy. The stunning conclusion? T-rex likely walked on its tippy-toes, much like modern birds! This incredible discovery completely changes our understanding of how this colossal predator moved, making its strides potentially more agile and efficient than previously imagined.
So, next time you picture a T-rex, remember this: science is constantly evolving our understanding of the ancient world. The mighty T-rex is still the king, but now, he might just be a fluffy, lip-wearing, tippy-toeing monarch!
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/t-rex-ran-on-its-tiptoes-like-an-8-ton-chicken
