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Was the T. rex really as warm-blooded as an elephant?

By Adam Neely · 2026-09-20 · 6 min
Quick answer: New tooth-chemistry analysis suggests Tyrannosaurus rex maintained a body temperature comparable to a modern elephant. Scientists infer that temperature from…

New tooth-chemistry analysis suggests Tyrannosaurus rex maintained a body temperature comparable to a modern elephant. Scientists infer that temperature from oxygen isotopes locked into tooth enamel as it formed, which act like a chemical record of the animal’s internal heat. A warmer-running T. rex could have sustained activity far longer than a sluggish cold-blooded predator, changing how researchers model its hunting and daily behavior. This is one line of evidence rather than the last word, but it moves the long-running metabolism debate further toward warm-bloodedness.

Sources: Ars Technica
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