Archaeologists in North Dakota have uncovered the first known set of footprints attributed to a running Tyrannosaurus rex, marking a significant advance in the study of dinosaur behavior. The four large, three-toed footprints span a distance of approximately 23 feet and date back roughly 66 million years. They were discovered in the Hell Creek Formation, located in the Badlands region of the state.

The discovery was led by Kent Hups, a Colorado schoolteacher whose fieldwork contributed to identifying the trackway. Hups co-authored a scientific paper emphasizing the role of curiosity, passion, and careful observation in scientific inquiry. He described the find as unexpected and said he never anticipated such a breakthrough from his efforts.

The footprints measure about 3.3 feet each, and this continuous sequence of tracks represents the first time paleontologists have been able to trace a T. rex moving across the landscape, rather than finding isolated prints. Prior discoveries have yielded individual tracks from both adult and juvenile T. rex specimens, but none have offered a clear trackway showing locomotion.

Tyler Lyson, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, highlighted the importance of the find. He noted that while fossilized bones provide extensive information about these prehistoric animals, footprints offer a unique glimpse into their behavior by capturing specific moments in time. Following the trackway enables scientists to better understand how the T. rex may have moved, including evidence suggesting it was running.

Additional fossilized skeletal remains of Tyrannosaurus rex have also been found near the footprint site. The footprints are slated for careful removal via helicopter and will be transported to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for further study and preservation. This discovery is expected to provide valuable insights into the locomotion and lifestyle of one of the most iconic dinosaurs in the fossil record.