The Real Purpose Behind T. Rex’s Short Arms Might Have Been to Viciously Slash Prey

Everyone on the internet is making fun of T. rex’s short arms, but researchers revealed they might have looked like that for a really good reason. Initially, researchers thought the dinosaur used its short upper limbs either for grasping or for mating. A new research indicates these limbs could work as true weapons, as the vicious might have used them to mercilessly slash its prey.

Many theories tried to explain the purpose of T. rex’s arms

Everyone can recognize the figure of a T. rex from its short arms, but few are able to tell the real purpose of this feature. Researchers have proposed several hypotheses of what the dinosaur might have used them for, ranging from clasping the prey, pushing itself from the ground, or holding the partner during mating.

However, the most widely recognized hypothesis blames evolution for T. rex’s funny-looking limbs. They say the short arms were left behind by evolution just like wings on a flightless bird, while others even find them a nature’s way of compensating for the big heads and necks the dinosaur was endowed with.

The short arms might have been used to slash prey

However, during a meeting of the Geological Society in America, paleontologist Steven Stanley presented a new hypothesis. He thinks the real purpose of the short arms was to administer deep slashes to its prey. As proof, he compares the vicious killer with other similar dinosaurs, which caught the prey in its jaw and then used the forelimbs to cut into the animal’s flesh.

The skeleton of the dinosaur supports the hypothesis, as T. rex exhibited strong arm bones and joints. Also, the reptile was left with only two claws out of three, but their grasp was a lot stronger than before. However, not everybody agrees to this hypothesis.

Other scientists think T. rex’s forearms were much too short, and that it was difficult for the dinosaur to do the slashing. Instead, they say the arms ended up being atrophied in favor of the jaw, which became the main weapon.
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