Why would T-Rex only hunt larger prey? Is it because of its slow moving speed?

[GindyPosts]

The current theory on T Rex is that they functioned like Komodo Dragons, in that they dominated the food chain at virtually all levels as they grew older and larger(which explains they there's such a huge gap between Rex and the other much smaller predators it shared a habitat with), changing prey and hunting strategies(including older Rexes eating younger Rexes), young Rexes were actually thought to be extremely fast runners, soooo the answer is they did eat smaller prey, when they were young and small. At a certain point though the expended amount of energy vs the energy gained as food simply isn't worth it anymore.

This theory works in the fact they used to have a separate species called "Nanotyrannus" which turned out to be a juvenile T-Rex, and it has been determined that, at a younger age, Tyrannosaurus was an agile predator that hunted its prey in packs, but as it grew larger and older, it used its size to go after larger, slower meals that could fill it up, where it had to conserve its energy instead.

[cable guy]

Well, that's all wrong. We know from the famous nature documentary "Jurassic Park" that they mostly hunt human beings, occasionally taking down a larger dinosaur. But mostly people. And they are very fast. Plus we know from subsequent nature documentaries like Jurassic World that they will team up with other dinosaurs, just like superheroes do.

Omg this has me laughing my ass off this morning.

[PCN24454]

Cats hunt mice that are twenty times smaller than their size.

You don't look like you're joking, so I'm going to take you seriously.

Cats are much smaller than lion, tigers, etc. That's why they like to play with laser pointers whereas big cats just ignore them like Kai "the spy" just showed.

The real question is "How small is too small to hunt?" Based on a T.Rex's size, they seem like they'd prefer something like elephants than they would humans, but we don't know if humans would've been too small to be worth hunting.

[Ravin' Ray]

There’s still debate among paleontologist whether a full grown T. Rex could run.

It could walk fast, but run? The largest living land animal, the elephant, can only walk fast; that is to say, it can never have all four feet off the ground. I have yet to see CGI/model adult T. rex where both feet are periodically off the ground while it chased prey.

Fast is not always = running.

[Tyrannoraptor]

Cats hunt mice that are twenty times smaller than their size.

But T-Rexes are different from cats.

Someone literally just posted the current theory on T-Rex’s feeding on smaller prey when they themselves were smaller, which would mean no T-Rex ever reached adulthood w.out ever feeding on smaller prey.

So do you think T-Rex would totally never go after smaller prey in their adulthood & only does so when its younger & equal size of its prey?

The current theory on T Rex is that they functioned like Komodo Dragons, in that they dominated the food chain at virtually all levels as they grew older and larger(which explains they there's such a huge gap between Rex and the other much smaller predators it shared a habitat with), changing prey and hunting strategies(including older Rexes eating younger Rexes), young Rexes were actually thought to be extremely fast runners, soooo the answer is they did eat smaller prey, when they were young and small. At a certain point though the expended amount of energy vs the energy gained as food simply isn't worth it anymore.

But then that might sound like the T-Rex wouldn't be feeding on smaller prey in their adulthood & they'd only do when they're younger.

[Jim Kelly]

T. rex was a big animal. The amount of calories needed to sustain such a large animal meant that going after small creatures would probably be a waste of time.

Well yes and know. I learned this as a kid in science class and never forgot it--the larger the animal the less calories it needs to consume relative to its size. Smaller creatures lose so many calories just living that they have to constantly eat to survive. Large animals, like elephants, have to eat big amounts but it's not that much relative to their size and they can go for long periods of time without eating.

There might have been other inefficiencies that made the T. Rex poorly adapted to its environment. Was it cold-blooded or warm-blooded? Was it capable of storing fat or was it too lean?

[achilles]

Full grown Rex likely preyed on animals similar to its size that wouldn't have been all that much faster than it. Some other recent studies also revealed some interesting discoveries, for example while it likely couldn't run it's walking gait would have been extremely energy efficient, also it was more agile than other large therapods like Allosauroids. Given that and it's incredible eye sight and smell it suggests it could have been an endurance hunter like modern wolves, just at a slower pace for all animals involved.

Even more recent studies have shown that they can't outrun a jeep. Though you should remember that objects are closer in your rear-view mirrors than they appear, should you ever for example be chased by one. Just remember to get the "Goldblum" options package when you buy your new dino-racing jeep.

[Kirby101]

This is just one study, which counters other studies. I think the only way to know is clone them and put them in some sort of park-like setting. Preferably on an isolated island.

[babyblob]

This is just one study, which counters other studies. I think the only way to know is clone them and put them in some sort of park-like setting. Preferably on an isolated island.

That would make a pretty good movie I think

[achilles]

That would make a pretty good movie I think

Eh, it needs a Goldblum. But to be fair, many things can be made better by a Goldblum.

[Robotman]

This is just one study, which counters other studies. I think the only way to know is clone them and put them in some sort of park-like setting. Preferably on an isolated island.

What could possibly go wrong?

[Kirby101]

What could possibly go wrong?

You make them all male, so they can't breed.

[babyblob]

You make them all male, so they can't breed.

Er uh uh Life Uh finds a way.