In October 2020 a researcher takes a look at a 120 million year-old dinosaur footprint in the La Rioja region in northern Spain while doing research on dinosaur running speeds. Scientists discovered one of the fastestropod tracks in the world. Credit:Alberto Labrador via AP
The two-legged dinosaurs were not the same as the rex.
Dinosaur tracks from 120 million years ago were analyzed and found to be similar to those of T.rex.
The findings were published in Scientific Reports.
Dinosaurs run at speeds over 30 mph on one of the tracks found in Utah and Texas. The Spanish footprints were very fast.
Scientists took into account the dinosaur's hip height and stride length to calculate the running speed.
Theropods are a family of dinosaurs that produce the fastest prints. The velociraptor was able to fly, but these dinosaurs could not. The animals that created the most recent impressions were between 5 and 6 feet tall and between 13 and 16 feet long, according to the researchers.
The tracks of the theropods have been easier to track down than other dinosaurs.
The University of La Rioja's lead author said it was difficult to study behavior in dinosaurs. These kind of findings are important for improving knowledge.
Scientists use computer modeling to predict dinosaur behavior. The results are confirmed by a physical examination of the footprints.
Hans Sues, who had no role in the study, said the animals were "clearly active, agility and swift."
Theropods tracks from the Early Cretaceous of La Rioja, Spain, were reported in the Scientific Reports. The DOI is 10.1038/s41598-021-02557-9.
Scientific reports are in the journal.
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The footprints of some two-legged dinosaurs were found in December of 2021.
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