Dinosaur: Book Review :: Celebrity Dinosaurs
Apr 22, 2009
Tyrannosaurus rex – “Tyrant Lizard King” – even the name’s impressive. When the T-Rex was first given his title, he was the largest land predator ever discovered. With his hugely powerful head and enormous, razor-sharp teeth, he soon became one of the most popular and easily recognized dinosaurs. And even though much larger carnivorous dinosaurs have been discovered since, T-rex continues to enjoy celebrity status.
7 tons of flesh and muscle
15-20 feet tall
Arms as small as a human being
60 razor-sharp teeth more than nine inches long each
30 feet long
12 tons heavy
Herbivore
Huge protective shield on the back of its head
3 lethal horns up to 3 feet long for goring the flesh of any attacker
Also known as Apatosaurus
90 feet long
38 tons – the total weight of six African elephants
Ate tough foliage and swallowed pieces of rock (called gastroliths) to grind down food in its gut
Ruthless hunter
Deadly claw on each foot
Serrated teeth capable of gripping moving prey
6 feet long – the same size as a swan
Maximum weight of 33 pounds
Light frame and long legs made it fast and agile
Used tail to balance when turning at high speeds
Covered in feathers to keep it warm
Herbivore
Brain the size of a walnut
30 feet long
Had two rows of bony plates along its back to help keep it cool – like an African elephant’s ears
Related stories:
Brachiosaurus
Apatosaurus
Triceratops
Walking With Dinosaurs
