SMRTR Science & EngineeringNov 4, 2025Nautilus

“Tiny T. Rex” Makes Big Waves in Paleontology Community

SMRTR summary

Paleontologists have settled a long-standing debate about small T. rex-like fossils found in Montana's Hell Creek Formation, including the famous "dueling dinosaurs" specimen from 2006. By analyzing bone growth rings and computer modeling, researchers determined these weren't juvenile T. rexes but belonged to two entirely new adult species they named Nanotyrannus. These pickup truck-sized predators were faster and more agile than their school bus-sized T. rex cousins, adding to evidence of dinosaur diversity near extinction.

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