Tyrannosaur fossil shows dinosaurs were cannibals that ate their relatives

WorldEnvironment
6 May 2026 • 5:11 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Tyrannosaur fossil shows dinosaurs were cannibals that ate their relatives

  • A new fossil discovery suggests that some tyrannosaur species were opportunistic scavengers, even consuming the remains of their larger T. rex relatives.
  • Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark identified 16 precise bite marks on a massive tyrannosaur foot bone, dating back approximately 75 million years.
  • The bite marks indicate a smaller tyrannosaur fed on the corpse of a significantly larger relative, demonstrating they ate down to the last scraps.
  • The study, published in Evolving Earth by Josephine Nielsen, found no signs of healing on the bone, confirming the marks were from late-stage carcass consumption.
  • This discovery highlights that tyrannosaurs did not let resources go to waste, consuming even tough bones with little decaying meat.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved