In a groundbreaking discovery that offers an unprecedented look at a Tyrannosaurus rex in motion, scientists have unearthed the first-ever known trackway of an adult T. rex, preserving its footsteps from approximately 66.5 million years ago. Found on federal land in the Hell Creek Formation of southwestern North Dakota in 2025, the sequence of at least four three-toed prints stretches over 23 feet, with individual prints measuring a staggering three feet in length. The immense size and narrow toe shape of these impressions, coupled with the abundance of T. rex fossils in the vicinity, led researchers to confidently attribute them to a mature specimen of the famed predator. While isolated T. rex footprints have been identified before, this is the first time a continuous trackway has been scientifically described, providing invaluable data on the dinosaur’s gait and speed, estimated to be between 3.5 and 4.5 miles per hour—remarkably similar to human walking pace. The discovery, initially met with skepticism by senior curator Tyler Lyson, was confirmed when a third print was found, leading to elation among the team. Using high-resolution 3D surface scanning, the trackway was meticulously documented, allowing for remote analysis by lead author Peter Falkingham. Further excavation revealed a fifth track, suggesting more prints may lie hidden. Three of these massive tracks, each likely weighing between 800 and 1,000 pounds, are slated for recovery by helicopter, with hopes that cleaning at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science might even reveal preserved skin impressions, offering an even more intimate glimpse into the anatomy of this iconic dinosaur.
Adapted from: Travel News Today on Fox News
