When it comes to paleontology, most people's first impression is dinosaurs, and the star member of dinosaurs is Tyrannosaurus Rex. Tyrannosaurus Rex, to be exact, mainly lived at the end of Cretaceous period from 68.5 million to 65 million years ago, and it was one of the species that disappeared in the fifth mass extinction.
Dinosaur families are classified into many distinct forms. Land, sea and air are their living spaces, occupying an important ecological position in the development and evolution of 16 million years, and other species can only survive in the cracks. In a sense, an asteroid hit the earth 65 million years ago, which led to the disappearance and extinction of dinosaurs, which brought development opportunities to mammals. Within about 1 million years of the extinction of dinosaurs, mammals quickly occupied the ecological niche and enjoyed the living space and resources that dinosaurs once occupied, and human homeopathy appeared.
When it comes to Tyrannosaurus Rex, the first impression is the killing machine. In ancient Greek, Tyrannosaurus Rex can be translated as "the cruel lizard king". At the end of Cretaceous, a herbivorous dinosaur, Triceratops, appeared. Scientists simulated the recovery according to the excavated fossils and gave specific data. The average weight of Triceratops can reach 5 tons, and the largest individual can grow to about 8 tons. Their shapes are very distinctive, with three horns on the head as the representative image, which is also the origin of their names.
Triceratops is just the favorite prey of Tyrannosaurus Rex of the same age, and paleontologists believe that the main food of Tyrannosaurus Rex is Triceratops. Tyrannosaurus rex can be more than 1 meters long and weighs about 8 tons. It belongs to the top predator in the Cretaceous period. For example, in 219, a team of Canadian paleontologists published a research paper saying that they had found the largest Bawangling so far and named it "Scotty". According to the fossil recovery, this Tyrannosaurus Rex was found to be 13 meters long and weighed 8.8 tons, which was even bigger than the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex Su.
However, there is another interesting place in the image of Tyrannosaurus Rex, that is, two "short hands", which embellishes the mighty and domineering image with a little cuteness. Tyrannosaurus rex's two forelimbs are only about one-fifth of the hind limbs, and the length is about 8cm, which is slightly longer than the arms of adults. However, compared with the huge size of Tyrannosaurus rex, it is very weak. It can't reach its mouth forward, and it can't touch its legs down. It looks like useless tissue left over from evolution.
But are T-Rex's forelimbs really useless?
Paleontologists are also very curious about this matter. As a top predator, Bawangling is staring at this pair of residual limbs. What's the purpose? Scientists have speculated that:
1. Assisting to get up
Tyrannosaurus Rex is not always in a standing state. When it is resting or hunting, it may be in a prostrate state. At this time, it is difficult to get up quickly with only two hind legs, but it can be easier with two forelimbs.
2. Auxiliary "Killing the Enemy"
Although the two forelimbs of Tyrannosaurus Rex are only about one meter, they can be used to catch prey for fighting when hunting, and also as an auxiliary tool when eating.
3. Use
when "mating". All living things can't escape this most essential pursuit, that is, reproduction. It is difficult for Tyrannosaurus rex to perform precise operations with such a large size. These two small forelimbs can be used to control its mate during mating.
Of course, these are all scientists' speculations. At present, there is no conclusion about the use of the two slender forelimbs of Tyrannosaurus Rex, or it is as simple as balancing the body.