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Tyrannosaurus was not a fast runner

Author

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  • John R. Hutchinson

    (University of California
    Stanford University)

  • Mariano Garcia

    (University of California
    Borg-Warner Automotive)

Abstract

The fastest gait and speed of the largest theropod (carnivorous) dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus, is controversial. Some studies contend that Tyrannosaurus was limited to walking, or at best an 11 m s-1 top speed1,2,3,4, whereas others argue for at least 20 m s-1 running speeds5,6,7. We demonstrate a method of gauging running ability by estimating the minimum mass of extensor (supportive) muscle needed for fast running. The model's predictions are validated for living alligators and chickens. Applying the method to small dinosaurs corroborates other studies by showing that they could have been competent runners. However, models show that in order to run quickly, an adult Tyrannosaurus would have needed an unreasonably large mass of extensor muscle, even with generous assumptions. Therefore, it is doubtful that Tyrannosaurus and other huge dinosaurs (∼6,000 kg) were capable runners or could reach high speeds.

Suggested Citation

  • John R. Hutchinson & Mariano Garcia, 2002. "Tyrannosaurus was not a fast runner," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6875), pages 1018-1021, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:415:y:2002:i:6875:d:10.1038_4151018a
    DOI: 10.1038/4151018a
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    Cited by:

    1. Susannah C R Maidment & Deborah H Linton & Paul Upchurch & Paul M Barrett, 2012. "Limb-Bone Scaling Indicates Diverse Stance and Gait in Quadrupedal Ornithischian Dinosaurs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-23, May.

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