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The Tarbosaurus Was Almost As Lethal as the T-Rex (But with More Teeth and Smaller Arms)

Tarbosaurus
Image via Depositphotos

We’re all familiar with the most iconic dinosaur, the T-Rex. However, its close cousin, who reigned in Asia at the same time, is far less known even though it was almost just as bloodthirsty. We’re talking about the colossal predator Tarbosaurus.

What Is the Tarbosaurus?

Tarbosaurus
Image via Depositphotos

The Tarbosaurus, which means “alarming lizard,” was a massive theropod dinosaur that lived about 70 million years ago in what is now Asia. This apex predator was one of the largest tyrannosaurs, closely related to the T. rex but with some key differences that set it apart.

How Big Was the Tarbosaurus?

A size comparison of a Tarbosaurus vs. a an average human to illustrate its enormous size.
A size comparison of a Tarbosaurus vs. a an average human to illustrate its enormous size. Image via Depositphotos

The Tarbosaurus was an impressive 33 feet long and stood about 10 feet tall at the hips. It weighed approximately 11,000 pounds – which is roughly as heavy as an African elephant.

This imposing size made it a dominant force in its habitat with very few enemies and could turn almost anything into a snack in a heartbeat.

For Comparison: How Big Was the T-Rex

Sue, the most complete fossil skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen ever found.
Sue, the most complete fossil skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen ever found. By Connie Ma from Chicago, United States of America – File:Sues skeleton.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44980065

The Tyrannosaurus rex, often considered the king of dinosaurs, was slightly larger than the Tarbosaurus. The T. rex reached lengths of up to 40 feet and stood about 12 feet tall at the hips. Weighing between 18,000 to 28,000 pounds, it was one of the heaviest and most powerful predators of its time.

More Key Differences Between Tarbosaurus vs. T-Rex

While we can never know exactly what the T-Rex looked like, we can be pretty certain it had a bloodthirsty bite.
While we can never know exactly what the T-Rex looked like, we can be pretty certain it had a bloodthirsty bite. Image via Depositphotos

While both the Tarbosaurus and T. rex were fearsome predators, they had distinct differences. The Tarbosaurus had more teeth—up to 64 compared to the T. rex’s 60.

Additionally, while the T-Rex is frequently made fun of because of its tiny arms, the Tarbosaurus had even smaller arms – which is just about the only thing about them that isn’t terrifying.

These differences suggest variations in their hunting strategies and prey choices, influenced by their respective environments.

The Discovery of Tarbosaurus bataar

Unrestored skull of Tarbosaurus baatar from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia viewed from beneath the palate.
Unrestored skull of Tarbosaurus baatar from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia viewed from beneath the palate. By Thomas Vandenberghe from Leuven, Belgium – Tarbosaurus bataar, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38624621

Tarbosaurus bataar was first discovered in 1946 during a Soviet-Mongolian expedition in the Gobi Desert. The initial find included a partial skull and some vertebrae, leading to the species’ official naming in 1955. This discovery opened the door to understanding tyrannosaurids in Asia.

Where Did the Tarbosaurus Live?

Tarbosaurus
Image via Depositphotos

The Tarbosaurus primarily lived in what is now southern Mongolia and parts of China. Its habitat was a humid floodplain with dense forests and river channels, providing a rich ecosystem full of potential prey. This environment supported a diverse range of large herbivorous dinosaurs.

What Did the Tarbosaurus Eat?

The tyrannosaurid Tarbosaurus baatar pursuing the hadrosaurine Saurolophus angustirostris
The tyrannosaurid Tarbosaurus baatar pursuing the hadrosaurine Saurolophus angustirostris. By Durbed – http://durbed.deviantart.com/art/The-alarming-tyrant-312412553, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37106040

As a carnivore, the Tarbosaurus preyed on large herbivorous dinosaurs like hadrosaurs and possibly sauropods. Its strong sense of smell and hearing compensated for its weaker eyesight, making it a highly effective predator. The Tarbosaurus’s powerful bite could crush bone, indicating it was at the top of the food chain.

Tarbosaurus Hunting Techniques

Tarbosaurus
The imposing teeth of the Tarbosaurus. Image via Depositphotos

The Tarbosaurus used its robust build and powerful bite to take down large prey. Its hunting methods likely involved ambush tactics, striking quickly with its massive jaws.

Evidence from fossilized bite marks suggests that it hunted both solitary and herd-based prey, including ceratopsians and other large dinosaurs.

The Evolutionary Significance of Tarbosaurus

Tarbosaurus
By Eric Snively​, Haley O’Brien, Donald M. Henderson, Heinrich Mallison, Lara A. Surring, Michael E. Burns, Thomas R. Holtz Jr, Anthony P. Russell, Lawrence M. Witmer, Philip J. Currie, Scott A. Hartman, John R. Cotton – Snively E, O’Brien H, Henderson DM, Mallison H, Surring LA, Burns ME, Holtz TR Jr, Russell AP, Witmer LM, Currie PJ, Hartman SA, Cotton JR. 2019. Lower rotational inertia and larger leg muscles indicate more rapid turns in tyrannosaurids than in other large theropods. PeerJ 7:e6432 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6432, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120713669

The discovery of Tarbosaurus provides crucial insights into the evolution of tyrannosaurids. Studying its relationship with other species like Alioramus and Daspletosaurus helps scientists understand how these predators adapted to different continents and environments.

The Tarbosaurus is a key species in tracing the evolutionary history of large theropods.

The Skull and Teeth That Made It Especially Lethal

A Tarbosaurus skull
A Tarbosaurus skull. By Veritastemplarius – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17284505

Its skull was massive, housing up to 64 sharp, serrated teeth designed for slicing through flesh and bone. This feature, combined with a robust and rigid skull, made it a lethal predator.

Its teeth were slightly smaller but more numerous than those of the T. rex, giving it a unique advantage in its environment.

The Mystery of Tarbosaurus’s Small Arms

Tarbosaurus profile.
Tarbosaurus profile. By Jordi Payà from Barcelona, Catalonia – IMG_1252’Uploaded by FunkMonk, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13592047

Like the T. rex, the Tarbosaurus had disproportionately small arms compared to its massive body.

The function of these tiny limbs is still debated, but some scientists believe they helped with balance or were used in mating or combat. Despite their size, these arms were strong and muscular.

Tarbosaurus
Image via Depositphotos

While not as famous as the T. rex, the Tarbosaurus has gained recognition in popular culture, particularly in Asia.

It has been featured in documentaries, books, and even as a character in films. Its fearsome appearance and unique features continue to captivate the imaginations of dinosaur enthusiasts worldwide.