Scientists Determine Tyrannosaurus Rex Body Temperature at 97°F, Confirming Warm-Blooded Nature
UCLA scientists have successfully measured the body temperature of the Tyrannosaurus rex, finding it to be approximately 97°F (36°C), a temperature comparable to that of humans. This groundbreaking research, published in Science Advances, utilized a refined method to analyze the chemical bonds of rare isotopes of carbon and oxygen within fossilized tooth enamel. The number of these bonds decreases in warmer temperatures, allowing researchers to act as a 'geologic thermometer.' The study used small portions of two teeth from 'Thomas the T. rex,' a well-preserved specimen from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. This finding provides empirical evidence supporting theories that T. rex was a warm-blooded, active predator or scavenger, rather than a cold-blooded, slow-moving reptile. The method involved using a dental drill to remove enamel, dissolving the powder in phosphoric acid to release carbon dioxide gas, and then measuring isotope ratios with a mass spectrometer. This advanced technique re...
