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- Who found the prints and where they were located
- Details of the trackway: size, spacing and age
- Why scientists attribute the trackway to an adult T. rex
- 3D scanning, digital models and what they allow scientists to do
- Planned recovery and museum preparation
- What this means for dinosaur science and public interest
Scientists have identified what they say is the first known adult Tyrannosaurus rex trackway — a short sequence of enormous footprints preserved in the Hell Creek Formation of western North Dakota. The discovery, made by a high school science teacher during a volunteer dig, offers a rare glimpse into how one of the planet’s most famous predators moved across its ancient landscape some 66 million years ago.
This set of prints isn’t just another isolated footprint. It’s a sequence that lets researchers follow a single animal’s steps. With detailed scans and 3D models now in hand, paleontologists can study stride, pace and foot anatomy in ways bone fossils alone cannot reveal.
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Who found the prints and where they were located
The trackway was uncovered on federal land managed by the U.S. Forest Service near Marmarth, North Dakota. The field discovery was made by Kent Hups, a high school science teacher and amateur fossil hunter volunteering on the project. The site lies within the well-known Hell Creek Formation, a Late Cretaceous deposit famous for yielding bones and fossils of T. rex and other dinosaurs.
Tyler Lyson, a senior curator of vertebrate paleontology associated with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, was leading the excavation. Team members and local officials secured permission to study and document the impressions after Hups alerted the dig leaders to the unusual impressions.
Details of the trackway: size, spacing and age
Researchers documented a sequence roughly 23 feet long composed of four three-toed impressions. Key measurements and observations include:
- Footprint size: Each print measures about 3 feet in length, indicating an enormous foot consistent with a large theropod.
- Stride length: The stride between successive prints is around 13 feet, allowing estimates of gait.
- Estimated age: Sediments and context place the impressions at approximately 66.5 million years old, near the end of the Cretaceous.
- Preservation: The tracks show heavy weathering, which introduces uncertainty into some measurements, but overall morphology remains clear enough for analysis.
Using the spacing and dimensions of the prints, the team calculated a walking speed in the neighborhood of 3.5 to 4.5 miles per hour — broadly comparable to a brisk human walking pace. Because weathering has softened some details, that is presented as an approximate range rather than a precise value.
Why scientists attribute the trackway to an adult T. rex
Paleontologists attributed the trackway to Tyrannosaurus rex based on a combination of footprint morphology and local fossil context. The factors cited by the research team include:
- The exceptionally large size of each three-toed impression.
- The relatively narrow, elongate shape of the toes, matching expectations for a large tyrannosaur foot.
- The known abundance of adult T. rex skeletal remains in the surrounding Hell Creek deposits.
The findings and interpretation are presented in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The study’s lead author is a dinosaur track specialist who used digital tools to analyze the forms in detail.
3D scanning, digital models and what they allow scientists to do
After the initial excavation and field documentation, the team applied high-resolution 3D surface scanning to capture the prints digitally. These scans serve several scientific and curatorial purposes:
- Preserve a precise digital record of the trackway before recovery operations that might disturb the site.
- Enable remote analysis by specialists who cannot be on site, including visualization in virtual reality.
- Support production of accurate physical replicas for study and museum display.
One of the paper’s authors used those digital files to examine the impressions in virtual space, allowing close inspection of features that are difficult to discern in the field. The ability to share 3D models quickly with collaborators worldwide accelerated interpretation and avoided possible damage to the original fossils.
Planned recovery and museum preparation
Field teams plan to recover three of the footprints using helicopter transport later this year. Those elements will be moved to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where conservators and paleontologists will prepare them for study and public engagement. Museum staff have indicated they will keep the public updated as the recovery and conservation work progresses, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the process.
Kent Hups, who co-authored the study, has described the discovery as a defining moment for his students and emphasized how curiosity and careful observation can lead to major scientific contributions. The find is being used locally and in the museum community to highlight hands-on science, volunteer involvement, and how modern imaging tools can open new windows onto ancient behavior.
What this means for dinosaur science and public interest
A confirmed adult T. rex trackway is a rare behavioral snapshot. Bones reveal anatomy, but tracks capture movement and interaction with the environment. The discovery offers:
- New data on foot anatomy and weight distribution for large theropods.
- Insights into walking speed and stride mechanics in an adult predator.
- Opportunities to compare fossil bones and footprints from the same region to refine identifications.
As the prints move into museum care and digital models circulate among specialists, the footprint sequence will likely stimulate further study and public fascination with the last ecosystems of the Cretaceous.
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Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.
Yo, did you hear about them T. rex footprints found in North Dakota? A T. rex trackway, man, thats wild! Imagine walking in a dinos footsteps, crazy stuff. Wonder what else those prints might lead to, yknow?
Dude, those T. rex tracks in North Dakota? Insane! Its like time traveling in sneakers, right? Walking in dino shoes, next-level cool! Can you imagine stumbling upon a T. rex doing the moonwalk? Haha, thatd be epic! Who knows what other ancient surprises those prints might dig up, man!
Man, talk about a dino-sized discovery! Finding T. rex footprints in North Dakota? Thats like uncovering a prehistoric treasure map. Can you imagine the T. rex stompin around all those years ago? Wild stuff!
Man, talk about ancient footprints! Just picturin a T. rex strollin through North Dakota 66 million years ago blows my mind. Bet their tracks were like Godzilla-size potholes, huh? Natures own prehistoric monster truck!
Man, talk about a prehistoric stroll! Imagine bumping into a T. rex on your morning walk. These footprints are like natures ancient selfies, telling us stories from way back. Cant wait to see what else they dig up!
Man, these T. rex footprints in North Dakota got me thinking: imagine strolling around 66 million years ago and bumping into a real-life T. rex! Walking the same path as those giant beasts? Thats some next-level history right there!
Man, T. rex trackway discovery in North Dakota? Thats wild! Can you imagine stumbling upon those 66-million-year-old footprints? Bet that T. rex was struttin around like it owned the place. Nature is full of surprises, aint it?
I remember watchin ol T. rex movies as a kid, and now theyve found real footprints? In North Dakota? Crazy how science brings dinos back to life, kinda. Cant wait for the Jurassic Park sequel with these new details!
Yo, bro, aint it wild how these dino footprints poppin up like hidden treasures? Science sure be throwin us curveballs! Imagine stumblin upon a T. rex print on your next hike… Scary but cool, innit? Lets hope they keep it real in the next Jurassic Park flick, no more hybrid monstrosities!
So, youre telling me there were adult T. rex footprints chilling in North Dakota all this time? Man, I thought I had trouble finding my keys in the morning, imagine spotting those bad boys!
Man, finding T. rex footprints is like hitting the paleontological jackpot! Its like these giant lizards left their mark, saying, Yeah, we roamed here, deal with it! Bet those 3D models are gonna blow minds!
Man, talk about a blast from the past! Finding those T. rex footprints in North Dakota is like stepping back in time, literally. Can you imagine coming face to face with a T. rex back in the day? Wild stuff!
Bro, imagine staring down a T. rex in the wild west days! That dino face-off would be one for the history books, right? Talk about a heart-pounding moment! Wonder if the T. rex would be up for a game of poker after that face-off. Wild, wild west indeed!
Man, talk about time travel vibes! Imagine a T. rex stomping around North Dakota ages ago, leaving those massive footprints behind. Its like a prehistoric selfie stick, but way cooler! Wonder what else those tracks might reveal.
Oh, snap! A T. rex trackway in North Dakota? Thats some Jurassic Park vibes right there. Imagine stumbling upon those ancient footprints… Id probably run faster than a T. rex if I saw them in real life!
Man, 66 million years, and they find T. rex footprints in North Dakota? Thats some Jurassic Park stuff right there! Can you imagine stumbling upon those tracks? Its like walking in the footsteps of a real-life dinosaur!
Man, talk about a blast from the past! Just picturin a T. rex stompin around North Dakota 66 million years ago, leavin those massive footprints behind… Imagine the stories those tracks could tell if they could talk!
Man, talk about a blast from the past! Just imagine stumbling upon those adult T. rex footprints, like, 66 million years later. Its wild how technology lets us dive into ancient worlds through 3D scans. Science is out there, man!
Yo, can you believe they found T. rex footprints in North Dakota? Thats like finding a unicorn hoof in your backyard! Bet those scientists are stoked to analyze those dino tracks. Wonder if any T. rexes were moonwalking back then!
Aint that a dino-sized surprise! Adult T. rex footprints in North Dakota? Bet those ancient beasties were stompin around like they owned the place. Cant wait to see the 3D models – hope they got the T. rex swagger right!
Man, talk about a prehistoric stroll! Imagine bumpin into a T. rex on their leisurely walk! Pretty wild to think bout these massive footprints chillin in North Dakota all these years, huh?