A 75-million-year-old Gorgosaurus fossil was found with its last meal still preserved inside.
The discovery sheds light on the scarcity of small and midsize dinosaur fossils, attributed to the hunting activities of young tyrannosaurs.
The fossil contained the hind limbs of two small feathered dinosaurs, indicating that young tyrannosaurs fed on different animals than their adult counterparts.
A 75-million-year-old Gorgosaurus fossil, discovered with its last meal still preserved inside, has provided researchers with valuable insights into the feeding behavior of young tyrannosaurs. The fossil, found in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park, contained the hind limbs of two small feathered dinosaurs, indicating that young tyrannosaurs fed on different animals than their adult counterparts. This discovery suggests that young tyrannosaurs were nimble and able to go after smaller prey, behaving as midsize predators. This ability may have given them an evolutionary edge.
The stomach contents, which consisted of hind limbs and a partial tail from beaked dinosaurs, were well-preserved despite being exposed to gastric juices. This finding provides evidence that as tyrannosaurs grew, they adapted to hunt and eat different types of prey. The study also highlights the significant physiological changes that occurred as tyrannosaurs transitioned from juveniles to adults.
The discovery also sheds light on the scarcity of small and midsize dinosaur fossils, which is attributed to the hunting activities of young tyrannosaurs. However, one source contradicts this by suggesting that the juvenile tyrannosaur also consumed plants, based on the analysis of its fossilized teeth. This claim needs further verification as it is not supported by other sources.
One source suggests that the juvenile tyrannosaur also consumed plants, based on the analysis of its fossilized teeth. This claim needs further verification as it is not supported by other sources.
The ability of young tyrannosaurs to behave as midsize predators may have given them an evolutionary edge.
The stomach contents, which consisted of hind limbs and a partial tail from beaked dinosaurs, were well-preserved despite being exposed to gastric juices.
The discovery also sheds light on the scarcity of small and midsize dinosaur fossils, which is attributed to the hunting activities of young tyrannosaurs.
The fossil was found in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park.
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