The common perception of dinosaurs is that they were aggressive and ferocious creatures. However, recent research on the skull of a Daspletosaurus seems to confirm this stereotype for at least this species. Paleontologists have even discovered evidence of possible cannibalism among these dinosaurs, a completely new finding. The fossilized remains of a Daspletosaurus were discovered in the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada in 1994. This dinosaur belonged to the Tyrannosauridae family, a carnivorous species with a large skull, massive body, and notably short arms, much like the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The specimen found was about ten years old and not yet fully grown, measuring just under six meters in length and weighing about half a ton.
David Hone from the University of London and Darren Tanke from the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Canada, have recently analyzed the fossilized remains of the Daspletosaurus and made an astonishing discovery. They found numerous wounds on the dinosaur’s skull that had healed during its lifetime. The characteristic shape of the wounds suggests that they were bite marks, although the cause of a few wounds remains unknown. “This animal clearly had a tough life and suffered numerous head injuries, some of which must have been quite nasty,” explains David Hone. “The most likely cause is a member of the same species, indicating that there were fierce battles between these animals.” Whether the bite wounds were caused by territorial disputes, mating battles, or rival Daspletosauri searching for food cannot be determined today. However, the injuries on the skull indicate that the dinosaurs must have stood next to each other or faced each other during the fight.
The researchers also discovered unhealed bite marks on the lower jawbone, suggesting that the dinosaur was eaten shortly after its death. After analyzing the bite marks and the location of the fossils, as well as comparing them to bite marks from other dinosaurs, the researchers believe that another Tyrannosaur, possibly another Daspletosaur, ate the carcass. Although the interpretation is still preliminary, many signs point to cannibalism among these dinosaurs. This new discovery challenges our understanding of these prehistoric creatures and highlights the importance of continued research in the field of paleontology.
