Was T.rex MUCH bigger than anyone knew?

T.rex could have been much bigger than previously thought

Now we all know that a Tyrannosaurus rex is massive, but could it have been bigger than we ever knew?

According to new research, it might have been 70% heavier and 25% longer than was previously thought

A study using computer modelling has found that the largest T.rex that existed could have been much bigger than the current known largest specimen.

It is estimated it could have weighed 15 tonnes and measured 15 meters.

That's much bigger than the current known specimens from fossils.

Instead of fossils the new study uses computer modelling

Instead of fossils the new study, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, uses computer modelling to assess a population of T.rex.

The study considered things like population size, growth rate and life span, as well as the incompleteness of fossil records.

The model is based on examples of living alligators, chosen for their large size and close kinship with the dinosaurs.

And, it's findings suggest that the largest dinosaur fossils are yet to be found.

The study suggests that scientists have no idea from the fossil record about the absolute sizes T. rex might have reached

Dr Jordan Mallon of the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa worked on the project.

Jordan said: "Our study suggests that, for big fossil animals like T. rex, we really have no idea from the fossil record about the absolute sizes they might have reached.

"It's fun to think about a 15 tonne T. rex, but the implications are also interesting from a biomechanical or ecological perspective."

Dr David Hone of Queen Mary University of London said this could also affect research about all dinos.

"It's important to stress that this isn't really about T. rex, which is the basis of our study, but this issue would apply to all dinosaurs, and lots of other fossil species.

"Some isolated bones and pieces certainly hint at still larger individuals than for which we currently have skeletons.