Tyrannosaurus Rex

Meet the famous T. rex, a powerful predator that ruled North America at the end of the dinosaur age.


An artist scene of T. rex walking across a river plain with trees and hills in the distance.
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An artist scene of T. rex walking across a river plain with trees and hills in the distance.

Duskbloom Littles (Artistic Image Rendering)

Tyrannosaurus rex, or T. rex, is one of the most famous dinosaurs ever discovered. It lived near the end of the dinosaur age and was one of the largest meat-eaters that ever walked on land.

TYRANNOSAURUS REX
COMMON NAME: Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex)
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tyrannosaurus rex
TYPE: Dinosaur (theropod)
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Pack or solitary (scientists are still learning)
WHEN IT LIVED: Late Cretaceous (about 68 to 66 million years ago)
WHERE IT LIVED: Western North America
SIZE: About 40 feet long
WEIGHT: About 6 to 9 tons
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A Giant Hunter

T. rex had massive jaws, thick teeth, and powerful legs. Its head was huge, and each tooth was as long as a banana. Even though its arms were short, they were very strong. Scientists think T. rex used its strong bite to crush bone and tear through tough meat.

T. rex skeleton towering above visitors

Museum display showing the height and size of a T. rex skeleton. Image Credit: JJxFile, Wikimedia Commons

Where Did It Live?

T. rex lived on a warm, forested landscape with rivers and floodplains. This area is now part of the western United States and Canada. Many fossils have been found in places like Montana, South Dakota, and Alberta.

Fossil Dig SiteT. rex FootprintCretaceous ForestFossilized Tooth
Fossil clues about T. rex: a real dig site, a large footprint, a forested habitat, and a fossil tooth. Image Credits (from top left to bottom right): BLMUtah, Wikimedia Commons; Chris Kirkman, Wikimedia Commons; Duskbloom Littles (Artistic Image Rendering); The Children's Museum of Indianapolis/Michelle Pemberton, Wikimedia Commons

How We Know About T. rex

Scientists learn about T. rex by studying fossils: bones, teeth, and footprints. The more fossils we find, the better we can understand how this giant dinosaur moved, hunted, and lived.

T. REX FACTS
T. rex could smell prey from far away
Its strong tail helped it balance while running
Birds are modern relatives of dinosaurs
Fossils show T. rex lived right before the dinosaurs disappeared

T. rex reminds us that prehistoric life was full of powerful, amazing creatures that we can still learn about today.