Tyrannosaurus rex

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The largest carnivore of northern hemisphere

Tyrannosaurus rex, a Τheropod dinosaur, was a carnivorous dinosaur with a lizard-like pelvis. It lived in North America in the late Cretaceous, 65-100 million years ago. Its name derives from the Greek word “tyrranos” meaning tyrant symbolizing the king (rex in Latin) of the tyrant lizards.

It was first discovered in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2005, a fossil that was discovered in a narrow ravine in Montana, USA, contained, preserved soft organic tissues, including blood vessels and proteins. The scientific community was astonished by these findings and altered their view on the fossilization and preservation processes of biological structures.

It is considered a superior predator that reached 12 meters in height and weighed roughly 7 tons. The front limbs seem rather small and there are several scientists that consider them vestigial (like the human appendix). Today, based on bio-mechanical simulations, it is believed that they enabled the animal to rise and grab its prey in order to kill it. It had 58 teeth, the largest tooth being 30 cm long, with a biting force 15 times stronger than the bite of a lion. This immense force was due to a massive set of muscles that supported and moved the jaws.