Using fossilized teeth as ancient thermometers, scientists have finally cracked one of paleontology's enduring mysteries: the T. rex's body temperature was remarkably similar to modern humans, hovering around our own comfortable 37°C (98.6°F).
This groundbreaking discovery reveals that these iconic dinosaurs were likely warm-blooded creatures with metabolic rates comparable to large mammals today. By analyzing isotopic ratios preserved in tooth enamel from 66-million-year-old specimens, researchers unlocked clues about how these apex predators functioned in their ancient world. Read the full story →
Today's takeaway: T. rex wasn't a cold-blooded reptile lurking in the shadows—it was an active, warm-blooded hunter that may have burned through calories as intensely as modern predators do today.
Enjoying these storys?
Get a new Environment & Nature story delivered to your inbox every morning.
Subscribe for $1/month →