Young Gorgosaurus' Unique Diet Reveals Dinosaur World Secrets

Unveiling the Predatory World of Young Gorgosaurus

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A recent paleontological discovery sheds light on the predatory habits of young Gorgosaurus, a cousin of the famous T. rex, providing new insights into the ecology of tyrannosaurs. About 75 million years ago, in what is now Alberta, Canada, these young dinosaurs preyed on turkey-sized yearlings of a feathered, plant-eating dinosaur named Citipes. The juvenile Gorgosaurus, aged 5 to 7 years and about 15 feet long, selectively devoured the meaty legs of its prey, leaving the rest of the carcass untouched. This selective feeding is in contrast to adult tyrannosaurs, known for their indiscriminate and powerful feeding habits on larger prey.

This discovery, marked by the first tyrannosaur skeleton with preserved stomach contents, highlights the ecological niches tyrannosaurs occupied during their lifespan. While young, they acted as "mesopredators," targeting smaller dinosaur species, and then evolved into apex predators as adults. The juvenile Gorgosaurus, smaller and less robust than an adult Tyrannosaurus, exhibited different physical and hunting characteristics suitable for its prey. For instance, it had blade-like teeth and a lightly built skull, ideal for slashing bites, compared to the massive skulls and thicker teeth of adult tyrannosaurs.

This Gorgosaurus fossil, uncovered at Dinosaur Provincial Park, provides a vivid picture of the Cretaceous Period's ecosystem. It showcases a time when North America was divided by a vast inland sea, with young tyrannosaurs preying on the abundant Citipes hatchlings. The varied stomach acid damage on the Citipes bones in the Gorgosaurus' stomach indicates that these yearlings were consumed at different times, suggesting a strategic approach to feeding by these young predators.

Source : Reuters (Reporting by Will Dunham)