A remarkably preserved fossil skull reveals direct evidence of a Tyrannosaurus rex attack on an Edmontosaurus, a large duck-billed dinosaur that roamed Montana during the Late Cretaceous period. The discovery, housed at the Museum of the Rockies, showcases a tyrannosaur tooth lodged directly into the Edmontosaurus’s face, offering a rare and brutal glimpse into prehistoric predation.
The Evidence: A Cretaceous Crime Scene
The fossilized skull was unearthed in 2005 from the Hell Creek Formation, a region renowned for its rich dinosaur remains. Unlike typical bite marks, this specimen preserves an actual tooth fragment embedded in the bone – a highly unusual find that conclusively identifies the attacker. According to University of Alberta doctoral student Taia Wyenberg-Henzler, “An embedded tooth… gives you the identity of not only who was bitten but also who did the biting.”
Identifying the Predator
Detailed analysis, including CT scans, confirmed the tooth belonged to a Tyrannosaurus rex. The force required to break off a tooth inside the skull suggests a forceful, lethal attack. Researchers believe the Edmontosaurus likely faced its predator directly, suggesting it was either killed during the encounter or perished shortly after. The lack of healing around the embedded tooth further supports this conclusion.
What This Means: Tyrannosaur Feeding Behavior
This fossil provides valuable insight into the feeding habits of Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the largest terrestrial predators in Earth’s history. While scientists have long debated the specifics of its hunting methods, this discovery offers a visceral snapshot of its predatory behavior. As Museum of the Rockies curator John Scannella states, “This paints a terrifying picture of the last moments of this Edmontosaurus.”
The findings underscore the brutal efficiency of Tyrannosaurus rex. The embedded tooth isn’t just a relic of a past conflict; it’s a physical testament to the raw power and deadly precision of the apex predator.
The study was published in PeerJ. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20796
This fossil serves as a stark reminder of the violent realities of the prehistoric world.
