# The Cretaceous King (DD-202)

> Tyrannosaurus rex was a large meat-eating dinosaur that lived in western North America about 68 to 66 million years ago. The largest specimens reached about 12 m long and weighed an estimated 8 tonnes or more, with hips about 4 m off the ground. Its arms were short but strong, while its legs and tail were powerful. Studies estimate it had one of the strongest bites of any land animal, able to crush bone, and a keen sense of smell. How it balanced hunting with scavenging is still debated. The footage shows Tyrannosaurus reconstructions, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2024-01-28
- Last updated: 2024-01-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-cretaceous-king/
- Original Reel title: The Cretaceous King 🦖
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-202-F01**: T. rex lived about 68 to 66 million years ago. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (68 to 66 million years))_
- **DD-202-F02**: The largest reached about 12 m long. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (12 m))_

## Write-up

T. rex had one of the strongest bites of any land animal. Its small arms were still muscular.

1. **68 to 66 million years**: T. rex lived about 68 to 66 million years ago.
2. **12 m**: The largest reached about 12 m long.
3. **Short arms**: Its arms were short but strong.
4. **Bone-crushing bite**: It could crush bone.
5. **Keen smell**: It had a keen sense of smell.

## Related case files

- [Chicxulub Crater (DD-693)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chicxulub-crater/): I linked the impact that ended the Cretaceous
- [Three-Horned-Face! (DD-201)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/three-horned-face/): I linked its likely prey
- [The Order of Pterosauria (DD-203)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-order-of-pterosauria/): I linked a true dinosaur of the same era

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Stood about 20 feet tall': its hips were about 4 m (13 ft) high; 20 ft overstates its height in a natural pose.

## Video: The Cretaceous King: T. Rex Had One of the Strongest Bites of Any Land Animal

- Duration: 39.5 s · Published: 2024-01-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C2q8Ht5O-qF.mp4

### Transcript

The Tyrannosaurus Rex colloquially known as T. Rex was a colossal Dinosaur that roamed the earth during the late Cretaceous period approximately 68 to 66 million years DID YOU KNOW? for its towering stature, the T. Rex could reach lengths of up to 40 feet and stood about 20 feet tall. Despite its famously diminutive front limbs its robust hind limbs and powerful tail suggest it was an adept predator. The T. Rex's fearsome reputation is owed to its massive equipped with formidable serrated teeth capable of delivering bone crushing bites. This apex predator likely used its keen sense of and impressive speed to hunt down prey making it a force in the prehistoric food chain. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When did T. rex live?**  
A: Late Cretaceous. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (68 to 66 million years) · Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus)_

**Q: How long were the largest?**  
A: Roughly 40 ft. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (12 m) · Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus)_

**Q: What were its arms like?**  
A: Famously small. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Short arms) · Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus)_

**Q: What could its bite do?**  
A: Very strong. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bone-crushing bite) · Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus)_

**Q: What is still debated?**  
A: Probably both. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Keen smell) · Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Tyrannosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannosaurus)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Cretaceous King." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-202, last updated Jan 28, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-cretaceous-king/