Tyrannosaurus
The Tyranosaurus Rex: Scavenger or Hunter?
Posts  1 - 5  of  5
Staarre
The Tyranosaurus Rex was for a long time thought of as a hunter. It had everything: fearsome appearance, huge teeth, and shredding claws. But up-to-date studies show that the Tyranosaurus Rex could not run or walk very fast: it's lower leg limbs were shorter than it's upper leg limbs; whereas in humans, our lower leg limbs are longer than our upper leg limbs, an essential factor that enables us to run fast, and for long periods of time. The T-Rex did not have this key component.
Scientists also reasoned that if the T-Rex ever fell over, it would be unable to pick itself up. Or it would already die as its skull and backbones would fracture. It would be very easy to trip and kill themselves if the T-Rex ran often, at high speeds. The T-Rex population would have likely been dwindled to extinction much earlier than it had been.
This means the T-Rex was not a hunter.

Scientists think that the T-Rex is a scavenger, relying on other prey for survival. It's terrifying appearance was most likely used to frighten away the meal's original predator. The T-Rex's skin might have been a vivid, frightning color, such as bright yellow or red. This new scavenger profile would have been perfect for the Tyranosaurus Rex.
Although all these new observations are continuously being proved correct, the matter of the T-Rex is still undecided.

Do you think the Tyranosaurus Rex is a hunter, or scavenger?

My opinion: the T-Rex was a scavenger.
Save
Cancel
Reply
replied to:  Staarre
scbrow
Replied to:  The Tyranosaurus Rex was for a long time thought of as...
I think you make a good case, Staarre, but I'm inclined to believe that T-Rex was primarily a predator (but one that wouldn't turn down the opportunity to scavenge if the opportunity presented itself).

A couple of points:
The long, serrated, dagger-like teeth of T-Rex seem to be intended to be used as weapons to quickly bring down large prey - not just to slice of chunks of meat from a carcass.

T-Rex also had a very long tail. Long muscular tails like that of T-Rex are often used to balance an animal as it is running at high speeds and making rapid course corrections (much like a Cheetah chasing a gazelle).

Finally, nature just doesn't produce many animals that rely exclusively on scavenging. I can think of just a handful that exist today. It's just not a successful surivival model. As a result, I think we should assume that a given meat-eating dinosaur was a predator unless there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Save
Cancel
Reply
replied to:  Staarre
vanrijngo
Replied to:  The Tyranosaurus Rex was for a long time thought of as...
""Scientists think that the T-Rex is a scavenger, relying on other prey for survival. It's terrifying appearance was most likely used to frighten away the meal's original predator. The T-Rex's skin might have been a vivid, frightning color, such as bright yellow or red. This new scavenger profile would have been perfect for the Tyranosaurus Rex.
Although all these new observations are continuously being proved correct, the matter of the T-Rex is still undecided.""

Here is my own point of view on this questionable matter of the Tyranosaurus Rex being a hunter, or scavenger? . If I myself was eating dinner and this animal showed up to share my dinner, I believe I would concede it all and let him have it, and I don't mean with a rock. I also believe I wouldn't have to be eating dinner for him wanting something to eat. I think maybe you have been looking at to many Munch's thinking about those bright colors,... then again, van Gogh would have been proud of you.LOL
Save
Cancel
Reply
replied to:  Staarre
ramonazero
Replied to:  The Tyranosaurus Rex was for a long time thought of as...
Well i think he was both a scavanger and hunter but if the terroy of the t-rex can only see moving objects the he was a hunter but just because he cant see it dosent mean he cant smell it so he could be a scavanger so i say both the t -rex is said to go the speed of 29-32 or even 40
Save
Cancel
Reply
replied to:  scbrow
ramonazero
Replied to:  I think you make a good case, Staarre, but I'm inclined...
I think your terroy is great
Save
Cancel
Reply
 
x
OK