Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A July 2013 PMID 23858435

Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex.

Robert A DePalma, David A Burnham, Larry D Martin, Bruce M Rothschild, Peter L Larson

Mentions

88
Peak: 3 in Mar 2019
across 6 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

303,708
potential audience

Total likes

7,548

Video views

270,132

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, these discussions demonstrate high enthusiasm for the article's findings, with phrases like 'cool report' and 'physical evidence of predatory behavior' emphasizing a collective appreciation for the direct proof. The tone is excited and focused on the significance of the evidence, such as mentions of healed bones and the shift from indirect to direct evidence, underscoring the impact on paleontology.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the findings of the publication, highlighting its significance in confirming T. rex's predatory nature.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, often referencing the discovery and its implications for understanding dinosaur behavior.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many engage actively, citing specific details like the evidence of healed bones and comparing with indirect signs like tooth marks.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions suggest that this discovery is viewed as a groundbreaking confirmation of T. rex as a predator, influencing how we think about dinosaur ecology.

Abstract in brief

  • The study presents concrete evidence of Tyrannosaurus rex actively preying on other dinosaurs, specifically a hadrosaur, with a tooth embedded in a vertebra shaft showing healed bone growth, indicating the prey survived the attack.
  • Previously, evidence of T. rex's predatory behavior was mostly based on indirect signs like tooth drag marks and punctures, which were difficult to definitively attribute; this finding provides direct proof.
  • The discovery of fused vertebrae surrounding a T. rex tooth in the Hell Creek Formation suggests a violent encounter where the prey was injured but managed to survive, highlighting a predatory behavior rather than scavenging.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Stephanie Drumheller
@UglyFossils · X

"Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex" by DePalma et al., 2013: https://t.co/hPrzieLreX

Mar 1, 2019 · 6 likes · 1 share · 1,699 followers View post →
加藤ひろし / 恐竜のお兄さん
@Hiro_DinoPaleo · X

#DINOPALEOch 1:58から紹介している尾の骨にT. rexの歯が刺さったままのエドモントサウルスの研究論文(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/X9JbD15OOc)と顔の右半分を噛み千切られても生き延びたと考えられるエドモントサウルスの研究論文(Rothschild and DePalma 2013 https://t.co/MVRN57Bejr)です。 https://t.co/C1O0d4xNzW

Mar 26, 2022 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 4,929 followers View post →
ストロー=クーゲルスタインちゃん
@straw2nd · X

あとこれ https://t.co/Y3fLdhZs2Z

Jul 10, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,638 followers View post →
Lari
@carnolari · X

boa noite professor fabricio, podemos falar sobre o elefante na sala? sim. - artigo falando sobre a confusão das hipóteses que dizem sobre o comportamento carniceiro do t rex (e mais!!! como ele era um dos POUCOS dinossauros não aviários a ser predador) https://t.co/KEOAeajsAs

Jun 16, 2025 · 2 likes · 15 followers View post →
GDLeahy
@GDLeahy · X

Somehow, I had missed this cool report: Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex: https://t.co/f8lwWbrfBM

Sep 29, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 679 followers View post →
Ausarchosaur
@ausarchosaur.bsky.social · Bluesky

Refs. https://geocontacto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MNHNL-0000778-MG-DOC-web.pdf https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1216534110 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fossil_Record_6_Volume_1/EFfPDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=ceratopsian%20skull%20predation&pg=PA113&printsec=frontcover

Jul 31, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share View post →

All mentions

ストロー=クーゲルスタインちゃん
@straw2nd · X

あとこれ https://t.co/Y3fLdhZs2Z

Jul 10, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,638 followers View post →
Lari
@carnolari · X

boa noite professor fabricio, podemos falar sobre o elefante na sala? sim. - artigo falando sobre a confusão das hipóteses que dizem sobre o comportamento carniceiro do t rex (e mais!!! como ele era um dos POUCOS dinossauros não aviários a ser predador) https://t.co/KEOAeajsAs

Jun 16, 2025 · 2 likes · 15 followers View post →
ビクーピー
@B47197246 · X

RT @Hiro_DinoPaleo: #DinoScience #恐竜科学博 T. rexの歯が突き刺さったまま治癒したエドモントサウルス・アネクテンスの尾椎(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/1PHuM3jJ2g)。 矢印は歯を指し示していま…

Feb 26, 2025 · 3 shares · 1,899 followers View post →
Ausarchosaur
@ausarchosaur.bsky.social · Bluesky

Refs. https://geocontacto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MNHNL-0000778-MG-DOC-web.pdf https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1216534110 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fossil_Record_6_Volume_1/EFfPDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=ceratopsian%20skull%20predation&pg=PA113&printsec=frontcover

Jul 31, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
加藤ひろし / 恐竜のお兄さん
@Hiro_DinoPaleo · X

RT @Hiro_DinoPaleo: #DINOPALEOch 1:58から紹介している尾の骨にT. rexの歯が刺さったままのエドモントサウルスの研究論文(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/X9JbD15OOc)と顔の右半分を噛み千切られても…

Jul 30, 2022 · 3 shares · 4,929 followers View post →
SF好き Science Fiction & Fantasy
@twinstar941 · X

RT @Hiro_DinoPaleo: #DINOPALEOch 1:58から紹介している尾の骨にT. rexの歯が刺さったままのエドモントサウルスの研究論文(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/X9JbD15OOc)と顔の右半分を噛み千切られても…

Mar 30, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,151 followers View post →
DNR
@hBAHroX4b7Pt5Nz · X

RT @Hiro_DinoPaleo: #DINOPALEOch 1:58から紹介している尾の骨にT. rexの歯が刺さったままのエドモントサウルスの研究論文(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/X9JbD15OOc)と顔の右半分を噛み千切られても…

Mar 26, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,065 followers View post →
加藤ひろし / 恐竜のお兄さん
@Hiro_DinoPaleo · X

#DINOPALEOch 1:58から紹介している尾の骨にT. rexの歯が刺さったままのエドモントサウルスの研究論文(DePalma et al. 2013 https://t.co/X9JbD15OOc)と顔の右半分を噛み千切られても生き延びたと考えられるエドモントサウルスの研究論文(Rothschild and DePalma 2013 https://t.co/MVRN57Bejr)です。 https://t.co/C1O0d4xNzW

Mar 26, 2022 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 4,929 followers View post →
GBIF Dodo
@GBIFDodo · X

New CHECKLIST dataset: Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex (3 species occurrences) https://t.co/w8CyO7Vggm

Aug 11, 2021 · 419 followers View post →
GBIF Dodo
@GBIFDodo · X

New CHECKLIST dataset: Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex (2 species occurrences) https://t.co/orkGarzhaq

Apr 11, 2020 · 419 followers View post →
EXCEL
@XLofIPHYS · X

RT @GDLeahy: Somehow, I had missed this cool report: Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex: https://t.co/f8lwWbrfBM

Sep 29, 2019 · 1 share · 559 followers View post →
GDLeahy
@GDLeahy · X

Somehow, I had missed this cool report: Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex: https://t.co/f8lwWbrfBM

Sep 29, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 679 followers View post →
FrecklesXX20
@FrecklesXX20 · X

RT @UglyFossils: "Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex" by DePalma et al., 2013: https://t.co/hPrzieLreX

Mar 1, 2019 · 1 share · 6,494 followers View post →
Dr. Claudia Serrano
@paleoduck · X

RT @UglyFossils: "Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex" by DePalma et al., 2013: https://t.co/hPrzieLreX

Mar 1, 2019 · 1 share · 638 followers View post →
Stephanie Drumheller
@UglyFossils · X

"Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex" by DePalma et al., 2013: https://t.co/hPrzieLreX

Mar 1, 2019 · 6 likes · 1 share · 1,699 followers View post →