An Ultimate Guide to Tarbosaurus: The Alarming Lizard

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NameTarbosaurusDietCarnivorous
Name Meaning“Alarming Lizard”Height4 meters (13 feet)
Pronunciationtar-boh-SAW-rusLength10.57 meters (34.7 feet)
EraMesozoicLate CretaceousWeight4.5-5 tons (9,900–11023 lbs)
ClassificationDinosauria,‭ Saurischia & TheropodaLocationMongolia & China (Asia)

Tarbosaurus Pictures

Tarbosaurus 3D Illustration
Tarbosaurus 3D Illustration | MR1805 via iStock

The Tarbosaurus

Gage Beasley Prehistoric's Tarbosaurus Concept
Gage Beasley Prehistoric’s Tarbosaurus Concept

In Western North America, during the Late Cretaceous Period, Tyrannosaurus rex reigned supreme.

Today, the dinosaur still maintains its celebrity status as one of the most popular dinosaurs ever despite being extinct for millions of years now.

But while Tyrannosaurus was king in North America, one of its close cousins also ruled the terrestrial landscape in East Asia.

Although not as popular as the T-rex, Tarbosaurus was similar to T-rex in a lot of ways.

In fact, they’re so similar that many scientists have considered them to be different species of the same genus. 

Feathered Tarbosaurus 3D Illustration
Feathered Tarbosaurus 3D Illustration | CoreyFord via iStock

However, aside from the fact that they lived on different parts of the earth, there are some basic anatomical differences between these two dinosaurs, too.

Known from numerous specimens from the Nemegt formation in Mongolia, the “alarming lizard” has been extensively studied by scientists.

These studies have aided our understanding of this dinosaur and other members of the family Tyrannosauridae

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Gage Beasley’s Prehistoric Shirt Collection
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Gage Beasley’s Prehistoric Plush Collection

Physical Characteristics 

Tarbosaurus is a genus of theropod tyrannosaurid dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.

Anatomically, this dinosaur was closely similar to the T-rex except for some basic differences.

It was one of the largest tyrannosaurids ever found, featuring a massive skull that was up to 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) long in the largest specimen. 

Gage Beasley Prehistoric's Tarbosaurus Size Comparison Chart
Gage Beasley Prehistoric’s Tarbosaurus Size Comparison Chart

Tarbosaurus measured about 10.57 meters (34.7 feet) in length and stood at about 3.2 meters (10 feet) tall at the hip. The weight of this dinosaur has been estimated to be between 4.5 and 5 tons on average.

Based on these size estimates, Tarbosaurus was slightly smaller than Tyrannosaurus rex but was still an imposing creature.

Like its North American cousin, the most distinctive features of the Tarbosaurus were its large head, powerful jaws, and tiny forelimbs.

It is worth noting that despite being massive by tyrannosaurid standards, the skull of the Tarbosaurus was quite lightweight. It had a narrow top-down profile and was slender all through.

The skull of the Tyrannosaurus rex, on the other hand, is more heavily built and widens out towards the back.

The rest of the Tarbosaurus’s body follows a typical tyrannosaurid pattern.

The mighty Tarbosaurus strides through the land, its powerful footsteps resonating with each ground-shaking thud
The mighty Tarbosaurus strides through the land, its powerful footsteps resonating with each ground-shaking thud | Elenarts108 via iStock

The alarming lizard had a robust and muscular body, with a powerful tail that helped it maintain balance.

The dinosaur’s chest was deep and wide, and its frame was carried on strong limbs.

Tabosaurus also had a long neck and walked on two legs like other theropod dinosaurs. 

One other notable feature seen in this dinosaur was its tiny arms. Although such tiny forelimbs were typical of tyrannosaurids, Tarbosaurus had the shortest arm of all its relatives.

The reduced arm size may have helped the two-legged dinosaur maintain its balance while walking or chasing prey. 

Habitat and Distribution 

Tarbosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 65 million years ago.

Fossils of this dinosaur have been recovered mainly from the Nemegt formation in present-day Mongolia.

However, paleontologists have also recovered a few fragmentary remains from China’s Subashi Formation.

This fossil distribution suggests that Tarbosaurus inhabited a relatively restricted geographic range within the interior of eastern Asia.

During the Late Cretaceous period, Mongolia was generally warm and humid.

The Tarbosaurus, a true embodiment of power and primal instinct, dominates the daylight hours with its imposing presence
The Tarbosaurus, a true embodiment of power and primal instinct, dominates the daylight hours with its imposing presence | MR1805 via iStock

However, the region also experienced periodic droughts, indicative of an area with distinct wet and dry seasons.

The wet season was characterized by heavy rainfall, which formed rivers, lakes, and floodplains. 

The area also had a lush forest whose ecosystem supported a diverse range of plant and animal life.

In such an environment, a large predator like the Tarbosaurus would have thrived at the top of the food chain, where it preyed on various large herbivorous dinosaurs and other animals in its ecosystem. 

Behavior and Diet

Tarbosaurus walks by day, its silhouette is outlined against the backdrop of a vibrant sky
Tarbosaurus walks by day, its silhouette is outlined against the backdrop of a vibrant sky | MR1805 via iStock

Tarbosaurus was a bipedal dinosaur, meaning it walked on two legs with its muscular tail helping to maintain balance.

The hind limbs were strong and muscular, which helped to support the dinosaur’s bulky weight.

They also allowed for efficient movement, with occasional rapid bursts of speed when hunting or pursuing prey.

The forelimbs of the Tarbosaurus were relatively small and were not used for walking.

It isn’t clear if they played a significant role in grasping and holding onto prey.  

Some scientists believe Tarbosaurus may have exhibited some degree of social behavior.

Scull of tarbosaurus found in Mongolia Gobi desert
Skull of Tarbosaurus found in Mongolia Gobi desert | Tatiana Terekhina via iStock

Fossil evidence suggests that these dinosaurs probably hunted in groups or family units, similar to some modern-day predators like lions.

However, this aspect of Tarbosaurus’ behavior is still not a topic of scientific debate.

One argument against organized family behavior is the small size of the dinosaur’s brain which opposes the idea of such a highly complex behavior. 

Tarbosaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur whose diet consisted of other dinosaurs and smaller animals.

It was a formidable predator that used its powerful jaws and sharp, serrated teeth to capture and tear prey apart. 

Studies show that Tarbosaurus had an excellent sense of smell and great hearing.

The tarbosaurus's keen eyes, gleaming with predatory focus, pierce through the darkness, honing in on its unsuspecting prey
The Tarbosaurus’s keen eyes, gleaming with predatory focus, pierce through the darkness, honing in on its unsuspecting prey | Warpaintcobra via iStock

But the nerves and other brain structures responsible for eyesight were undeveloped.

Tarbosaurus had a narrow skull which would have made binocular vision difficult, if not impossible.

The implication of this is that Tarbosaurus likely relied on its keen sense of smell and great hearing when hunting rather than sight. 

The Tarbosaurus’s position as an apex predator meant it would have targeted a range of herbivorous dinosaurs, including hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, and armored dinosaurs that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous. 

Tarbosaurus may have also scavenged carcasses in certain situations.

The robust build and strong bite force of this dinosaur allowed it to bite through bone, enabling it to access nutrient-rich parts of its prey.

Scientists once found fossils of a Parasaurolophus with numerous Tarbosaurus bite marks on it.

This is evidence that the dinosaur scavenged the hadrosaur’s corpse after it died.

Life Cycle

A lone Tarbosaurus lying on the ground during Earths Cretaceous period of time
A lone Tarbosaurus lying on the ground during Earth’s Cretaceous period of time | Mark Stevenson via GettyImages

While specific details of the Tarbosaurus’ life cycle are not well-known, the dinosaur likely reproduced sexually.

The specific behaviors and courtship rituals of the Tarbosaurus are also not known.

Female Tarbosaurus would have laid eggs, which were likely large given the dinosaur’s size.

The eggs probably had hard shells, similar to those of some modern-day reptiles and birds. 

Tarbosaurus eggs were laid in nests constructed in sandy or other well-drained soil.

The nest would then be covered with vegetation or other materials for protection.

3D rendering of a tarbosaurus on a yellow light background
3D rendering of a Tarbosaurus on a yellow light background | Vac1 via iStock

The heat of the surrounding environment helped incubate the egg, with the sun playing a significant role.

Hatchlings probably required some level of parental care and protection during their early stages of life.

This would have been for a relatively short time since tyrannosaurid dinosaurs experienced rapid growth spurts during their early years, reaching maturity very quickly. 

Evolution and History 

Illustration of Tarbosaurus on a white background
Illustration of Tarbosaurus on a white background | cyoginan via iStock

Tarbosaurus bataar is the only species identified so far in the Tarbosaurus genus.

The dinosaur belongs to the family Tyrannosauridae and the subfamily Tyrannosaurinae.

Some of the close relatives of this dinosaur include Alioramus, Daspletosaurus, Teratophoneus, and the famous Tyrannosaurus.

The evolution history of the tyrannosaurids can be traced back to the Jurassic period when the group first emerged.

They diversified into different subgroups and genera during the Cretaceous period.

As a group, tyrannosaurids evolved from smaller, more primitive theropods.

The earliest members of the family emerged in Asia during the Late Jurassic.

A group of theropod tarbosaurus dinosaurs on the hunt for prey find themselves beneath the flight path of a flock of thalassodromeus pterosaurs
A group of theropod Tarbosaurus dinosaurs on the hunt for prey find themselves beneath the flight path of a flock of thalassodromeus pterosaurs | CoreyFord via iStock

They were smaller in size and had relatively longer arms compared to their later relatives.

Over time, these dinosaurs underwent significant changes in their morphology. 

One such change, as seen in the Tarbosaurus, was the development of larger body sizes and more robust skulls.

Their arms also became shorter and less functional as they evolved, while their legs and hindlimbs became larger and more powerful.

This shift in body proportions indicates a transition from a more agile predator to a more specialized and powerful ambush hunter.

Tarbosaurus is older than T-rex, emerging a few million years before the tyrannosaurs in North America.

The tarbosaurus fiercely attacks a peteinosaurus, engaging in a violent encounter between the two ancient creatures
The Tarbosaurus fiercely attacks a peteinosaurus, engaging in a violent encounter between the two ancient creatures | MR1805 via iStock

This is consistent with the theory that the tyrannosaurs originated in Asia, from where they migrated to North America.

Back then, the two continents were connected by a land bridge which made such migrations possible.

Some scientists also think that Tarbosaurus and the T-rex are too similar to be different genera.

Instead, they would be better classified as two species within the Tyrannosaurus genus. 

Interactions With Other Species

Tarbosaurus attacked by velociraptor dinosaurs
Tarbosaurus attacked by velociraptor dinosaurs | Elenarts108 via iStock

Tarbosaurus lived in a fertile floodplain where it was the apex predator. Unlike its North American relatives that specialized in hunting large dinosaurs like the ceratopsians, Eastern Asia did not have ceratops.

Instead, sauropods like the Nemegtosaurus and Opisthocoelicaudia were more abundant, and the Mongolian tyrannosaur would have preyed on them.

Scientists have also identified a few ankylosaurid dinosaurs, such as Saichania, in the same area. 

Since they were by far the biggest predators in Asia at the time, Adult Tarbosaurus probably didn’t face any major threats.

A few tyrannosaurids, such as Alioramus, could have competed for the same food.

Troodontids like Borogovia and Tochisaurus were probably in competition too, but they most likely went after smaller prey.

Being an apex predator, the presence of the Tarbosaurus would have influenced the behavior and distribution of other species within the ecosystem. 

Cultural Significance 

Tarbosaurus, meaning "alarming lizard," was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period
Tarbosaurus, meaning “alarming lizard,” was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period |  Fhggughhguhubjbj via Jurassic Park Wiki

Tarbosaurus is known as “Tarbos” in Mongolia, a country that takes pride in its rich fossil heritage.

The dinosaur holds major cultural significance in the country and is considered one of the iconic dinosaur species from the region.

Tarbosaurus has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of dinosaur paleobiology and evolution.

Tarbosaurus is the most common tyrannosaur fossil in the Nemegt formation.

As a result, it is one of the best-studied dinosaurs from the region.

With numerous specimens found so far, the anatomy of this dinosaur has been extensively studied. 

Tarbosaurus, like T. rex, probably had a strong sense of smell and good binocular vision for hunting and finding prey
Tarbosaurus, like T. rex, probably had a strong sense of smell and good binocular vision for hunting and finding prey | The Dinosaur Database

However, unlike North American tyrannosaurids, only adults and subadult Tarbosaurus have been found so far.

This leaves a gap in our understanding of the growth pattern and overall lifecycle of this dinosaur that can only be filled by comparing it with other tyrannosaurids. 

Although Tarbosaurus itself is not commonly represented in movies, books, and other forms of media, tyrannosaurid dinosaurs, in general, are well-known to the general public.

They have become quite an iconic representation of what dinosaurs looked like.

They have been in numerous films and documentaries, typically showcasing their ferocity and power. 

Conclusion 

Tarbosaurus was a close relative of Tyrannosaurus rex that lived in a different part of the world about 70 million years ago.

While both dinosaurs were superficially similar, the narrow skull, thinner jaw, and smaller forearms of the Tarbosaurus are some clues that give away the differences between both predators. 

The identity of both dinosaurs relative to each other is still debated in the scientific community.

While many would rather have both of them classified as members of the same genus, some scientists think they’re distinct individuals.

There’s also a possibility that the Tarbosaurus was a direct ancestor of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

The evolutionary relationship between both tyrannosaurs is just one of many interesting facts that further studies may reveal about these apex lizards of the Mesozoic era. 

FAQs 

How long did the Tarbosaurus live?

Tarbosaurus was alive during the Cretaceous period between 72 and 68 million years ago.

It probably went extinct with the rest of the non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. 

Is the T-rex bigger than Tarbosaurus

Yes. The T-rex is the biggest tyrannosaur dinosaur ever found, and it is slightly bigger than the Tarbosaurus.

The biggest T-rex specimen was about 45 feet (14 meters) long, while the largest Tarbosaurus measured about 35 feet (11 meters) long. 

What does the name “Tarbosaurus” mean?

The name “Tarbosaurus” is derived from the Greek words “tarbos,” meaning “fright” or “alarm,” and “sauros,” meaning “lizard.”

Therefore, Tarbosaurus can be interpreted as an “alarming lizard” or a “frightening lizard.” 

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