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First adult T. rex trackway ever discovered in North Dakota
FOX Weather • • science
Key Points:
- Scientists have discovered the first known adult Tyrannosaurus rex trackway in southwestern North Dakota, consisting of four connected, large three-toed footprints dating back about 66.5 million years.
- The trackway, approximately 23 feet long with toes measuring around 3.3 feet, indicates the T. rex had a stride of about 13 feet and was walking at a speed of 3.5 to 4.5 mph.
- The footprints were found in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands and are preserved in fine-grained sandstone concretions cemented with calcium carbonate, providing rare behavioral evidence of T. rex movement.
- Researchers used 3D scanning and virtual reality technology to analyze the tracks, and the presence of nearby T. rex skeletal remains further supports the identification of the trackway.
- The footprints are expected to be recovered and transported to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for further study and display.
