Two DinoNuggets Were The Last Meal of This Gorgosaurus
The fossil of a gorgosaurus, a cousin of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, has revealed what this juvenile dinosaur’s last meal was - two small dinosaurs called citipes. The findings have shed light on the difference in hunting habits of the juveniles compared to their adult counterparts.
By Richard Cole · December 12, 2023
Scientists have unveiled the last meal of a 75-million-year-old tyrannosaur, shedding new light on the dietary habits of these ancient predators. Researchers from the University of Calgary have identified the preserved remains of a juvenile gorgosaurus, a close relative of the famous T-Rex, showcasing a diet shift as they matured. The juvenile gorgosaurus, equivalent to a teenager in developmental terms, weighed approximately 330kg (730lbs) and had consumed two small, bird-like dinosaurs called citipes. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about tyrannosaurs’ feeding habits, highlighting that juveniles targeted smaller prey, unlike their indiscriminate adult counterparts.
Dr. Darla Zelenitsky, a lead scientist in the study published in Science, emphasized the importance of the find, stating that it provides “solid evidence that tyrannosaurs drastically changed their diet as they grew up.” The fossil, initially discovered in the Alberta Badlands in 2009, took years to prepare, and the prey inside was not immediately apparent. The hind limbs of the small dinosaurs were only noticed later, indicating that the juvenile gorgosaurus had a more selective and dissecting approach to its meals, favoring the meatier parts.
Adult gorgosaurs, weighing around three tons, were previously believed to be indiscriminate eaters, attacking large plant-eating dinosaurs. However, the new findings suggest that juveniles, with longer legs and blade-like teeth, were not yet ready for such encounters. Dr. Francois Therrien from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology explained that the unique fossil provides “physical proof of the juveniles’ very different feeding strategy.” While adult tyrannosaurs had powerful “killer banana” teeth for biting and scraping, the juvenile gorgosaurus appears to have selectively bitten off and swallowed the legs of its prey.
This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the sophisticated feeding behaviors of these ancient predators, portraying them not merely as monsters but as living creatures with distinct dietary adaptations. The find also challenges popular depictions, such as those seen in movies like Jurassic Park, highlighting that it would be the youngsters, like the gorgosaurus, that required attention due to their different behaviors and agility compared to their larger adult counterparts.