Keeping up with T. rex was easy, Dutch researchers say

The Tyrannosaurus rex wasn’t as fast you think

Dutch researchers say it likely walked at a similar pace to humans

They studied the movement of the dinosaur's unique tail

using a 3D computer model of a female T. rex skeleton

Location: Leiden, Netherlands

Courtesy: Mike Bink Fotografie

(SOUNDBITE) (English) 3D TECHNICIAN AND ANATOMIST AT THE DUTCH NATURALIS MUSEUM, PASHA VAN BIJLERT, SAYING (INTERTWINED WITH FOOTAGE OF A TYRANNOSAURUS REX SKELETON ON DISPLAY AT MUSEUM):

''So if you're interested in the walking speed, it's not enough to estimate the step frequency, you also want to know how far apart each foot is placed. In other words, you need to know the step length. We estimated the step length by scaling up a fossilized trackway from a slightly smaller Tyrannosaurus up to Trix's size. Next, if you multiply step length by step frequency, you get a walking speed that's slightly faster than 4.5 kilometres per hour."’