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The tyrannosaurus rex most likely had lips, according to a new study. This was also the case with other large dinosaurs belonging to the group known as theropods. As a result, the teeth of the animals were probably not visible when they closed their mouths, Canadian scientists write in an article Science.
It used to be thought that the teeth of carnivorous dinosaurs were always visible, just like crocodiles. This is how the animals are also depicted in, for example, the Jurassic Parkmovie series.
However, according to the researchers, the enamel on the animal’s teeth indicates that the T. rex did have lips. To keep the enamel good, it is important that it is protected and that it is hydrated, they say. Otherwise, cracks may appear in the teeth.
Less protection
They compare the T. rex teeth with those of iguanas and komodo dragons, which also have lips. They say those teeth have more in common than the teeth of a T. rex and a crocodile.
The teeth of crocodiles need less protection because the animals spend a lot of time in the water. Despite this, the teeth of these lipless animals are much more cracked than teeth of the T. rex.
According to the researchers, the teeth of a tyrannosaur with its mouth wide open would also be much less visible than previously thought. Possibly only small dots would have been visible.
