The mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, an iconic predatory dinosaur, primarily inhabited regions that are now part of Montana and Wyoming in the United States. Fossil evidence strongly supports the presence of T. rex in these specific areas.
Documented Habitats of T. Rex
While the broader distribution of T. rex included vast areas of North America and potentially parts of Asia, the most direct fossil evidence for its presence in modern U.S. states points to the following:
| State | Continent |
|---|---|
| Montana | North America |
| Wyoming | North America |
These states are renowned for their rich paleontological sites, yielding significant remains that help scientists understand the life and times of this magnificent creature.
Broader Context of T. Rex Distribution
For a long time, it was widely accepted that Tyrannosaurus rex roamed across various parts of North America and Asia. However, the specific state-level fossil discoveries have mainly focused on the aforementioned locations within North America.
Clarifying Ancestral Discoveries
It is important to distinguish between Tyrannosaurus rex and its ancestors. Recently, scientists have made exciting discoveries that shed light on the lineage of this formidable dinosaur. For instance, a hip bone belonging to an ancestor of the T. rex was found at Dinosaur Cove in Victoria, Australia. This finding indicates that the evolutionary line leading to T. rex had a much wider geographic spread than previously understood, but it's crucial to note that this specific discovery represents an ancestor and not Tyrannosaurus rex itself.
