Fossilized Footprints of a T. Rex-Sized Dinosaur Discovered in Australia

Scientists have discovered footprints of a Tyrannosaurus Rex-sized dinosaur in Australia; the massive predatory T. rex lived in prehistoric North America, but now, a carnivorous dinosaur that is similar in size have been found to have roamed ancient Australia. Authors Anthony Romilio and Steven Salisbury published and shared their insights online.

The fossils were discovered around nine decades ago by coal miners that dug the Rosewood Walloon Coal Measures in Queensland, near Oakey and Ipswich, north from Toowoomba. In this case, the fossils were not composed of bones, but footprints. These types of fossils can help scientists glean how the animal moved, what their behaviors were, and what environments they roamed in.

The researchers found a 1930s archival photo while looking for documentation on Australian fossil footprints. The photograph showed an imprint from a dinosaur in the coal mine. This spurred an investigation into fossil footprints that were collected and placed in museums.

Based on the specimens, researchers think that the swampy and forested southern Queensland during the Jurassic Period must have had many carnivorous species of dinosaurs. They believe that the smallest among these may have been comparable to an emu, and the biggest may have had a height just below three meters, which is nearly the size of the T. rex.

The fossil footprint specimen that the researchers studied measures nearly 80 centimeters long (or 31 inches). The track on which it was embedded is dated at roughly 160 million years in the past, which is 90 million years ahead of the oldest T. rex skeleton fossils currently known.

Due to the time gap, this may have belonged to another dinosaur species. The researchers think that while it may have been similar in size and way of life to the T. rex, it could have been leaner and with a more elongated shape.

Aside from the footprints, trackways were also discovered, bearing many footprints coming from the same dinosaur. Based on the knowledge of the movement of two-legged animal species, the trackways can be studied to determine the way these dinosaurs moved and traveled within their ancient environment.

Many of the larger specimens apparently moved to at a leisurely walking pace, due to shorter steps from their seemingly long legs. In contrast, in two of the trackways, larger step lengths suggested that the animals who made them were running.

Based on the step distances, these animals may have had maximum speeds of 35 kilometers per hour (kph) or 22 miles per hour (mph). In comparison, humans can run at a rate of 24 kph (or 15 mph). Such speeds may mean that these species could have been efficient, deadly predators.

Thanks to the keen observations of miners, the tracks were found, and we now know more about Jurassic animals in the continent. There is a good chance that more fossilized treasures hide beneath us, which await discovery. This particular find fills the gap regarding our knowledge of Australian dinosaurs.

Other dinosaur tracks have been discovered in other Australian states, but most of them were from herbivorous dinosaur species. The current discovery adds to our list of top predatory dinosaurs that lived in ancient Australia.