Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Triceratops: How It Likely Went Down

Photo: Elenarts108 via Getty Images

In the imagined battle of the dinosaurs, the first match-up that comes to mind probably is Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Triceratops. In my shared fantasy, they're getting along forever. It's the duel of the doers. But did these fights actually occur?

Yes. Yes, they did. There's a fossil to show that, and you are about to see it for the first time.

Scientists nicknamed this fossil "Dueling Dinosaurs." It turned up in 2006 but has only recently been seen by a limited number of individuals. It shows a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops locked in an unusual predator-prey mortal combat. The duo was preserved in a fossil being displayed for the first time at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, It was reported in November 2017. 

Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops faced off in a fierce battle that left both animals dead. The fight took place in North America about 68 million years ago and is one of the most famous and well-known scenes from prehistoric history. Tyrannosaurus rex was the larger of the two beasts, measuring up to 20 feet long and weighing over 7 tons. Triceratops, on the other hand, was considerably smaller at only 10-12 feet long and weighed around 3 tons.

Unlike other museum exhibitions that assembled the preserved dinosaur skeletons to stand properly, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences displays this fossil differently. They are encased in sandstone while staff paleontologists gradually remove the residue surrounding the bones.

Tyrannosaurus Rex, the King of the Dinosaurs

As the most popular among the dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex doesn't need an introduction, but I will give brief data about it anyway. This fossil reptile, "king of the tyrant lizard," was one of the most dreadful killing monsters of the jungle in the history of archosaurs. A matured adult weighed about 7 or 8 tons and was endowed with massive jaws decorated with several sharp, shearing teeth.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex's muscular body extended as long as 40 feet, from its nose to the tip of its strong tail. Tyrannosaurus Rex paced headfirst across its environment on two muscular legs. These Tyrannosaurus Rexes likely preyed on other animals and feasted on carcasses - and sometimes, they ate one another.

Triceratops, the Three-Horned and Spiky Head Plate Dinosaurs

All theropods resembled themselves, but Triceratops has a more distinct profile. The Triceratops' head was about one-third of the entire body length. Some fossil skulls measure well more than 7 feet in length, decorated with a wide frill, two scary, forward-facing horns, and a small protrusion at the end of their snout. 

A matured Triceratops weighed 3 or 4 tons, about half the weight of its Tyrannosaur nemesis.

With its three pointing horns and spiky head plate, the dreadful Triceratops must have been intimidating as it stomped across western North America toward the end of the Cretaceous period, about 69 million years ago. Despite its intimidating appearance, this well-known ceratopsian was an herbivore. 

Comparing a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops Together

Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops were two mighty dinosaurs that roamed the Earth some 65 million years ago.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is often considered one of the strongest, most terrifying carnivores ever. The Triceratops was a herbivore with all the strength to defeat enemies and ensure its peaceful living.

Some fossil records give me hints, but I would instead rely on data and educated guesswork about each creature to disclose which one would likely win combat and walk away from a fight alive. Uncover which of these mammoth beasts is more brutal than the other.

Battle Skills of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops

The Tyrannosaurus Rex was a terror that would easily search, hunt, and kill any creature with ease. All it needed was a single powerful bite to destroy most creatures.

Moreover, they chased animals throughout their lives, arming them with a lot of expertise to identify their prey's weak points and use that data to their advantage. In a nutshell, they knew how to bite and where to bite any prey they capture.

Triceratops being herbivorous, did not hunt, but there's proof that they clashed against other triceratops as rams do nowadays. That means they mastered the effective use of their horns; they are not just there for decoration.

Their combat skills may include charging and then looking to attack threats in their vital areas.

Comparing Lifespan Differences Between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops

The average Tyrannosaurus Rex lived roughly 30 years old, based on fossil remains of bone evidence provided.

While scientist has not accurately provided the lifespan of an average Triceratops, one hypothesis suggests that a Triceratops has a lifespan identical to that of reptiles or mammals today. However, it has not been proven scientifically that Triceratops is cold or warm-blooded.

Differences Between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops

Photo: Elenarts108 via Getty Images

Triceratopses were heavier than Tyrannosaurus Rex, quadrupedal, while Tyrannosaurus Rex was bipedal. Tyrannosaurus Rex was taller and longer than the Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus Rex was a carnivore, while the Triceratops was an herbivore.

Tyrannosaurus Rex chased with its monstrous teeth, and Triceratops would only fight using an influential charge that put its horns first.

These are the significant differences between the two giant creatures, giving insight into how each creature would approach a battle.

In a Battle, a Triceratops May Likely Win a Tyrannosaurus Rex

Psychologically, a Triceratops would beat a Tyrannosaurus Rex in a battle. That statement might sound dramatic, but I cannot just conclude on the Tyrannosaurus Rex’s strengths in this situation. One has also to consider its weaknesses.

 The Tyrannosaurus Rex is taller, longer, and more lethal with its killing capacity, but it is vulnerable if it gets knocked down. Perhaps no other animal is capable enough to take on and kill the Tyrannosaurus Rex than the Triceratops. 

If these two massive dinosaurs fight on open ground, the fight will begin with one challenging the other, and that's what Triceratops is known for. Don't forget that Triceratops is faster and heavier, so it can smash into the Tyrannosaurus Rex with a greater force. 

The Triceratops is more balanced as a quadrupedal than Tyrannosaurus Rex, a bipedal that walk on two legs.

Conclusively, The theme of "Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Triceratops" is presented in various ways. In the showdown evidence, the two dinosaurs are recorded fighting on an open field and clash with their heads first. Tyrannosaurus Rex has more power, lethal, and agility than its counterpart. However, because Triceratops is so balanced as a quadrupedal, it is better able to withstand the force of Tyrannosaurus Rex, who is bipedal.

Cheers!

~GB