Scientists have debated the warm-bloodedness of dinosaurs for a while. Recently, researchers claim to have gauged the body temperature of two T. rexes using a chemical approach. Aradhna Tripati, a geochemist at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted the challenges in this process. The study, published in Science Advances, used a method that examines the chemistry in hard tissues like tooth enamel and eggshells to determine temperature variations. By analyzing the isotopic composition in these materials, scientists estimated the body temperature of dinosaurs, including previous findings on titanosaurs and oviraptors.
The researchers faced difficulty in obtaining enough tooth enamel from T. rex due to its thin enamel structure. They refined their technique using megalodon teeth before analyzing samples from a young adult T. rex named Thomas. The analysis indicated a body temperature range of 33.8 C to 38.8 C for T. rex, akin to large mammals such as elephants and possibly flightless birds like ostriches. This finding has implications for the behavior and habitat range of T. rex, suggesting it could adapt to various environments, including the Arctic.
Notably, paleontologist Anthony Fiorillo, known for discovering a tiny tyrannosaur in Alaska, commended the study, stating it provides insights into how dinosaurs may have thrived in colder regions. The study sheds light on the metabolic activity of T. rex, indicating it could have been active during different times of day and in diverse climates. However, the extent of its warm-bloodedness compared to modern mammals and birds remains a topic for further discussion.