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Three T. rex teeth point to an average body temperature near 36°C
Heavy carbon and oxygen isotopes clump differently as enamel forms at different temperatures; the team inverted that signal.
The three teeth came from Montana’s Hell Creek Formation and averaged about 97°F, close to modern elephants and the human range.
What changed
Earlier evidence already suggested warm-blooded tyrannosaurs. The new contribution is a specific chemical temperature constraint.
Not the same as humans
A similar number does not imply identical metabolism, growth or heat loss; a giant body can also retain heat.
Sample limits
Three teeth cannot capture every individual, season or body part, and preservation or later chemistry requires correction.
Next check
The method should be repeated across more tyrannosaurs and dinosaur groups; data and code are available for scrutiny.
Primary source and independent checks
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