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Trex

T-Rex as depicted from the 40s-70s

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A Tyrannosaurus rex in the 1977 movie Planet Of Dinosaurs, not animated by Ray Harryhausen.

Tyrannosaurus rex (T-rex) was a large theropod dinosaur that inhabited Western North America during the Late Cretaceous. T-rex was popular in films from the 1940s to 1970s, before his new more accurate physical appearance in Jurassic Park (1993).

Description[]

After its discovery in Hell Creek, Montana (1902), t-rex's appearance was always changing as new theories were being introduced. The most popular theory during the time was the t-rex stood upward with his tail dragging on the ground, like a kangaroo. By the 1970s scientists found this to be incorrect, but stuck with it until the 1990s. Then in early twenty first century, t-rex was thought to be covered in feathers, however being a non avian theropod, t-rex was thought to be more like a cold blooded reptile, rather than a bird. Also, until recently t-rex was thought to have its nostrils higher on its snout, like that of an eagle. This form was even included in Jurassic Park. Now t-rex has been proven to have its nostrils closer to its mouth, making it similar to the t-rex of stop-motion.

Diet[]

Evolution 1938-40 Ray Harryhausen Stop Motion

A T.rex in Ray Harryhausen’s early project “Evolution”.

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A T.rex & a Triceratops in the 1956 Film “The Animal World”.

Despite a brief controversy over whether tyrannosaurus was a hunter or a scavenger, partially healed bite marks in triceratops fossils leave no debate that this animal was an active hunter, preying on very large herbivores.

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A Tyrannosaurus rex in the 1933 movie King Kong, one of Harryhausen’s inspirations.

Media Appearances[]

  • Early Project “Evolution”
  • 1st Feature “The Animal World (1956)”
  • 2nd Feature "The Valley of Gwangi (1969)" "often confused with Gwangi as a T-Rex"

Related sites[]

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