Tyrannosaurus Rex

Tyrannosaurus rex, often abbreviated as T. rex, lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. This fearsome predator is one of the most well-known dinosaurs, characterized by its massive size, powerful jaws filled with large teeth, and short, powerful arms. T. rex belonged to a group of dinosaurs called theropods, known for their bipedal stance and carnivorous diet. 

T. rex roamed the Earth near the end of the Cretaceous period, which spanned from about 145 to 66 million years ago. Specifically, T. rex lived in the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous, from approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. 

T. rex was one of the largest land carnivores ever to have lived, reaching lengths of up to 12.3 meters (40 feet) and weighing up to 9 metric tons (approximately 10 tons). Its massive skull could reach lengths of over 1.5 meters (5 feet), housing teeth that could exceed 30 centimeters (12 inches) in length. 

As a top predator of its time, T. rex would have preyed upon a variety of dinosaurs and other animals, likely including hadrosaurs (duck-billed dinosaurs) and ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs). 

Like all non-avian dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex went extinct around 66 million years ago, marking the end of the Mesozoic Era and the beginning of the Cenozoic Era. The cause of the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs is widely attributed to a combination of factors, including a massive asteroid impact and volcanic activity. 

1.  Tyrannosaurus rex had a bite force stronger than any known terrestrial animal, estimated to be up to 12,800 pounds-force (roughly equivalent to the weight of three small cars). 

2.  Despite its fearsome reputation, T. rex likely had excellent vision, with eyes possibly even better than those of modern hawks. 

3.  Some scientists believe T. rex may have been able to run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), making it a formidable predator in its ecosystem. 

4. The arms of Tyrannosaurus rex were relatively small compared to its body size, measuring about 1 meter (3 feet) long, but they were likely powerful enough to grasp and hold onto prey.