Overview
This lecture explores how Tyrannosaurus rex's advanced senses contributed to its hunting abilities, focusing on its vision and sense of smell as revealed by fossil evidence and modern imaging techniques.
Physical Features of T. rex
- Adult T. rex weighed 6 to 9 tons and stood about 12 to 13 feet high at the hip.
- The dinosaur could reach up to 43 feet in length.
- T. rex had foot-long teeth and a nearly 5-foot-long skull.
- Its bite force was around 7,800 pounds, the strongest of any known living animal.
Superior Sight
- T. rex had eyes the size of oranges, the largest of any land animal.
- Eyes were forward-facing and set wide apart, allowing for excellent depth perception.
- High placement of the eyes enabled seeing long distances.
- Likely had the ability to see ultraviolet light and an expanded color spectrum like modern birds and crocodiles.
- Enhanced vision would have helped T. rex spot prey in dense forests.
Sensory Processing and Brain Mapping
- Scientists study T. rex brains using endocasts from skull fossils and digital models from CT scans.
- Brain mapping shows T. rex had unusually large olfactory regions, indicating a keen sense of smell.
- Comparison with living relatives helps identify which brain regions are responsible for specific senses.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Endocast — A model of the interior of a skull, used to study the shape and structure of the brain.
- Olfactory region — The part of the brain responsible for processing smells.
- Bite force — A measure of the strength of an animal's jaw, indicating how much pressure it can exert while biting.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the traits and adaptations that made T. rex an effective predator.
- Study diagrams of T. rex skulls and sensory organ placement for better understanding.