Ars Technica
T. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant
Sunday, September 20, 2026
A study of isotope ratios in Tyrannosaurus rex teeth suggests the dinosaur maintained a body temperature comparable to modern elephants, according to research published in the journal Science. Researchers analyzed oxygen and carbon isotopes preserved in tooth enamel from multiple T. rex specimens to estimate metabolic rates and internal temperatures. The findings indicate T. rex operated at a higher metabolic level than cold-blooded reptiles but potentially lower than modern mammals, based on the isotopic signatures recorded in the fossilized teeth.
