T. Rex Scavenged Duck-Billed Dinosaurs in Wyoming

Paleontologists examining a Cretaceous-period bonebed in Wyoming, United States, determined Tyrannosaurus rex scavenged carcasses of the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosaurus annectens. Researchers analyzed over 3,000 bones excavated from a site near Hanson Ranch Station, identifying twelve with genuine tooth traces.

The team used CT scans and compared bite mark patterns to known predator tooth structures, concluding T. rex was the likely source. Most of the bitten bones showed no healing, indicating the T. rex fed on the dinosaurs after or around the time of their death.

This research also refined criteria for identifying tooth marks on fossils, addressing past misidentification of bone features. Accurately identifying these marks is crucial for understanding ancient animal behavior and ecological relationships. The findings suggest a scavenging role for T. rex in addition to its known predatory habits.