Difference between revisions of "Tyrannosaurus"
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| − | The Tyrannosaurus was a large carnivorous [[dinosaur]] with very small forelimbs, large hind legs and a long tail. It is one of the largest land carnivores to have ever walked the earth, measuring about 13 meters long and 5 meters high. They lived during the end of the [[Cretaceous Period]] (65 million years ago). | + | The Tyrannosaurus was a large carnivorous [[dinosaur]] with very small forelimbs, large hind legs and a long tail. It is one of the largest land carnivores to have ever walked the earth, measuring about 13 meters long and 5 meters high.<ref>Brochu, C.R. 2003. Osteology of Tyrannosaurus rex: insights from a nearly complete skeleton and high-resolution computed tomographic analysis of the skull. Memoirs of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. 7: 1-138.</ref> They lived during the end of the [[Cretaceous Period]] (65 million years ago). |
| − | == | + | ==History== |
The earliest find of a Tyrannosaurus rex occurred in 1892. In 1905, after additional discoveries of fossils, the president of the American Museum for Natural History named the dinosaur. Since then, more than 30 specimens have been found. | The earliest find of a Tyrannosaurus rex occurred in 1892. In 1905, after additional discoveries of fossils, the president of the American Museum for Natural History named the dinosaur. Since then, more than 30 specimens have been found. | ||
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| + | In 1990, an amateur paleontologist by the name of Susan Hendrickson discovered the most complete Tyrannosaurus fossil yet. The fossil, named Sue, is also one of the largest Tyrannosaurus specimen discovered.<ref>Guinness World Records Ltd. (2003). 2003 Guinness World Records. pg 90.</ref> | ||
==Alternate Theories== | ==Alternate Theories== | ||
While it is widely regarded to be a scientific fact that the Tyrannosaurus rex was a real creature, there is an alternate theory amongst some conservatives that the Tyrannosaurus rex either did not live, or that they lived at the same time as humans at some point in history. This is worth mentioning because these alternate theories about dinosaurs seem to be held almost exclusively by conservatives and [[Christians]], usually as a part of [[young earth theory]] or [[creationism]]. | While it is widely regarded to be a scientific fact that the Tyrannosaurus rex was a real creature, there is an alternate theory amongst some conservatives that the Tyrannosaurus rex either did not live, or that they lived at the same time as humans at some point in history. This is worth mentioning because these alternate theories about dinosaurs seem to be held almost exclusively by conservatives and [[Christians]], usually as a part of [[young earth theory]] or [[creationism]]. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
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| + | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 02:46, March 20, 2007
The Tyrannosaurus was a large carnivorous dinosaur with very small forelimbs, large hind legs and a long tail. It is one of the largest land carnivores to have ever walked the earth, measuring about 13 meters long and 5 meters high.[1] They lived during the end of the Cretaceous Period (65 million years ago).
History
The earliest find of a Tyrannosaurus rex occurred in 1892. In 1905, after additional discoveries of fossils, the president of the American Museum for Natural History named the dinosaur. Since then, more than 30 specimens have been found.
In 1990, an amateur paleontologist by the name of Susan Hendrickson discovered the most complete Tyrannosaurus fossil yet. The fossil, named Sue, is also one of the largest Tyrannosaurus specimen discovered.[2]
Alternate Theories
While it is widely regarded to be a scientific fact that the Tyrannosaurus rex was a real creature, there is an alternate theory amongst some conservatives that the Tyrannosaurus rex either did not live, or that they lived at the same time as humans at some point in history. This is worth mentioning because these alternate theories about dinosaurs seem to be held almost exclusively by conservatives and Christians, usually as a part of young earth theory or creationism.