According to the findings of a new study by US and British scientists, the rate of growth of the Tyrannosaurus rex (T-Rex) was much bigger and faster than what had been perceived earlier.
For the study, the scientists made a departure from the previous methods of modelling --- by making use of three-dimensional laser scans and computer modeling for ascertaining the weight of five T-Rex specimens, including the iconic 'Sue' skeleton - the biggest and most complete T-Rex skeleton that is currently owned by the Chicago Field Museum.
On the basis of their analysis, the scientists found that the gigantic dinosaurs apparently grew at a rate of 1790 kg per year during their teenage years --- the new growth estimates being over two times the earlier estimates.
Going by the conclusions of the study, the rapid growth of the dinosaurs to a mammoth gargantuan size seemingly came at the cost of speed and agility --- thereby implying that the bigger the T-Rex's grew, the slower became their speed!
About the T-Rex's rapid growth, John Hutchinson - from the Royal Veterinary College, London - said that the metabolic rate of the dinosaurs was seemingly quite high --- an observation that substantiates the idea that the T-Rex were warm-blooded creatures!
