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Is it true that a person could easily escape from a tyrannosaurus rex? Debunking myths

Remember one of the most iconic scenes in the movie "Jurassic Park", where Ellie Sattler and Ian Malcolm cling to the jeep, trying to escape the pursuit of the tyrannosaurus rex? But is the tyrannosaurus really able to overtake the jeep, chasing after it through the jungle? Most likely, no, scientists suggested, after conducting a new study.

Predator movement speed

The size and weight of this predator indicate that the tyrannosaurus was unable to run. Most likely, the speed of his movement was 5 m / s (18 km / h). Thus, he not only could not catch up with the jeep, but even a man who would run away from him on his own feet. An article published in PeerJ magazine says that any speed exceeding 5 m / s would simply damage the animal's legs.

Research

"The ability of the tyrannosaurus to run (as well as other similar giant dinosaurs) remains a subject of discussion among paleontologists for decades," said lead author of the study, Dr. William Sehlers of the University of Manchester. - Many studies using different methodologies show a very wide range of estimates of maximum speed. This means that it is necessary to develop methods that could improve these forecasts. "

This time Dr. Sellers combined two separate biomechanical methods - multidimensional dynamic analysis and analysis of the skeletal load, in order to more accurately model the speed with which these giant dinosaurs could move. He found that if the tyrannosaurus tried to escape, it would probably have led to fractures in the bones of his legs.

Lifestyle of tyrannosaurus

The results of this latest study fit into one of the longest paleontological debates that have unfolded in relation to the way of life of a biped predator. For some time, scientists were divided into two camps when it came to the tyrannosaurs' behavior: some claimed they were active predators who hunted for their prey, while others believed that these animals could be scavengers.

The new work of Dr. Sellers, apparently, suggests that scientists who held the last opinion were closer to the truth. In addition, paleontologists believe that for him, both types of behavior were not characteristic. For example, tyrannosaurus could not hunt slower herbivores and at the same time feed on carrion.

Behavior of adults and young individuals

What is even more interesting, we can conclude that there are differences in the behavior of young tyrannosaurs and older ones. Some studies show that as the animal grew its body grew longer and heavier, and the limbs were proportionally smaller. This means that adult animals were more cumbersome, while juveniles turned out to be slightly more prickly. Nevertheless, Sellers says that this assumption is probably far from the truth.

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