Scientists have debated the warm-bloodedness of dinosaurs, particularly T. rex. Recent findings reveal that researchers have used a unique chemical approach to gauge the body temperature of two T. rex specimens.
Aradhna Tripati, a professor and geochemist at the University of California, Los Angeles, acknowledged the challenge of this endeavor. She co-authored a study published in the journal Science Advances and discussed the methodology with CBC’s “Quirks & Quarks.”
Rather than using conventional means like sticking a thermometer into a living creature, which is impossible for extinct dinosaurs, scientists employed a chemical technique that relies on temperature-sensitive variations in hard tissues like tooth enamel and eggshells.
Through the analysis of bioapatite mineral in tooth enamel, scientists compared the isotope clumping in living animals with varying body temperatures to estimate the body temperature of extinct creatures, including dinosaurs. A previous study by UCLA scientists a decade ago concluded that titanosaurs and oviraptors were warm-blooded based on eggshell analysis.
Analyzing teeth from T. rex posed challenges due to their thin enamel, but researchers successfully adapted the technique by first working with megalodon teeth. Subsequently, with permission, they obtained tooth enamel samples from a young adult T. rex named Thomas, estimating its body temperature to be between 33.8°C and 38.8°C – similar to large mammals like elephants and ostriches.
The findings suggest that a warm-blooded T. rex could adapt to various climates, including Arctic regions, unlike cold-blooded reptiles. Paleontologist Anthony Fiorillo, who discovered a small tyrannosaur in Alaska, noted the significance of the study in understanding dinosaur adaptation to different environments, particularly in the north.
François Therrien, a curator at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, also used isotope clumping to analyze troodon eggshells, confirming their warm-blooded nature. This recent research provides a clearer insight into the metabolism and activity patterns of T. rex, shedding light on their adaptability to diverse habitats and climates.