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Massive Footprints Found in North Dakota Reveal How T. Rex Walked

Gizmodo • September 14, 2026 • general

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Paleontologists discovered a rare trackway of four three-toed footprints left by an adult Tyrannosaurus rex in the Hell Creek Formation, North Dakota, marking the first known trackway of a fully grown T. rex.
The footprints, each about 3 feet long with a stride of 13 feet, date back approximately 66.5 million years and were identified by their massive size and narrow toes.
Analysis suggests the T. rex was walking at a casual pace of 3.5 to 4.5 miles per hour, similar to a brisk human walk, providing new insight into the dinosaur's movement and behavior.
The footprints were scanned in high resolution for detailed study, and three of the four prints are planned to be excavated and transported to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for further research.
The discovery, initiated by a high school teacher, highlights the role of curiosity and observation in scientific breakthroughs related to dinosaur behavior.

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