Study Sheds New Light On T. Rex, Most Famous Of All Dinosaurs

There were at least 150 distinct features in the smaller dinosaurs that set them apart from T. rexes, said the study.

Tyrannosaurus rex, the iconic apex predator of the Late Cretaceous period, ruled Earth around 68 to 66 million years ago. Known for its massive size, powerful jaws, and tiny forelimbs, T. rex (as it's popularly known) was a formidable carnivore, likely preying on large herbivorous dinosaurs. With its distinct serrated teeth and robust build, this fearsome predator has captivated scientific and popular imagination. But now, a new study has shed fresh light on the miniature version of the famed T. rex.

The species, Nanotyrannus lancensis, was first named decades ago but later reinterpreted as a young T. rex.

The study is based on the analysis of the fossils of these smaller T. rexes. Till now, these dinosaurs were considered the young versions of the famed giants. But researchers from University of Bath and University of Chicago have claimed it was a separate species.