Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth (Hell Creek Formation)
Age: 68 - 66 Million Years Old (Late Cretaceous)
Discovered: Newell, South Dakota (Hell Creek Formation)
Tooth measures roughly 3.5cm
 
The Tyrannosaurus rex tooth stands as an iconic symbol of the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. T. rex, often referred to as the "tyrant lizard king," was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to have ever existed, and its teeth are among the most recognizable and fearsome in the fossil record.
 
Measuring up to six inches in length, the T. rex tooth was a formidable weapon designed for a carnivorous lifestyle. These teeth were conical, robust, and serrated, resembling giant steak knives. The serrations on the edges of the tooth were crucial for efficiently cutting through flesh and bone, enabling T. rex to dispatch and consume large prey with its powerful bite force.
 
The massive size of the T. rex tooth is indicative of its role as the apex predator of its ecosystem. As a top-tier carnivore, T. rex likely hunted large herbivorous dinosaurs such as hadrosaurs and ceratopsians. The discovery of T. rex teeth in various fossil sites has provided valuable information about the feeding habits, dietary preferences, and the ecology of this iconic dinosaur.
 
T. rex teeth are not only significant for understanding the biology of this colossal predator but also for deciphering the complex interactions within Late Cretaceous ecosystems. The fossilized teeth contribute to ongoing research on the life history, growth rates, and social behavior of T. rex, painting a more detailed picture of the dynamics of the prehistoric world and the reign of the "tyrant lizard king" at the pinnacle of the dinosaurian hierarchy.