Comparing a T-Rex and an Ankylosaurus
The Key Differences Between a T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus
The greatest differences between a T-Rex and an Ankylosaurus are their morphology and eating habits. The T-Rex was a bipedal, thick-legged, carnivorous dinosaur that weighed up to 15,000lbs, stood up to 20ft tall, and measured 40ft long, and the Ankylosaurus was a relatively short quadrupedal herbivore that was covered in osteoderms and had a long tail with a thick bony club on its tail. These are the primary differences between a T-Rex and an Ankylosaurus, but they are not the only differences. We will explore both dinosaurs in greater depth in the rest of this article.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Size
The T-Rex is taller and longer than the Ankylosaurus, but it may not always have weighed more. The Ankylosaurus could weigh between 11,000lbs and 18,000lbs, stood about 5.6ft at the hip or 7ft overall, and could measure 33ft long. Tyrannosaurus Rex could grow up to 15,000lbs, stand anywhere from 12ft to 20ft tall, and measured 40ft long at its utmost. Depending on how large the dinosaur grew, it could beat the Ankylosaurus in every measurement.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Morphology
The T-Rex is known for being a biped with large legs, a massive head, strong jaws, and immense teeth. A T-Rex’s teeth could measure about 12 inches long, more than enough to fatally bite most creatures. In a unique twist of evolution, the T-Rex had very short arms. Ankylosaurus walked on four legs, and the top of its body was protected with armor plates made of a tough material called osteoderms. Ankylosaurus also had bony plates jutting from its sides and flank, as well as a bony club on the end of its tail. This is one of the most unique-looking dinosaurs of the era.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Era
The T-Rex and the Ankylosaurus both lived until the end of the Cretaceous Period, a time lasting from 145 million years ago until about 66 million years ago. This era was ended by the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event when much of life was wiped out on the planet from an asteroid impact. Before that, though, T-Rex is believed to have lived from 90 million years ago until the extinction event. The Ankylosaurus lived at least from 70 million years ago until 66 million years ago. These animals shared an era as well as a location in North America.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Eating Habits
The T-Rex is one of the most famous carnivores in the realm of dinosaurs. However, scientists are not entirely certain whether the T-Rex was exclusively a hunter or if it spent time as a scavenger. The same uncertainty applies to Ankylosaurus. This dinosaur was probably herbivorous based on its beak and teeth, but it could have easily snacked on other smaller creatures, too. After all, it needed to ingest a lot of calories if it was going to survive.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Attacks
The T-Rex was a very powerful one-trick animal. It would spot a creature, stomp on over to it, and then bite it with its immensely powerful jaws. The T-Rex could exert 17,000lbf on its prey, driving about 60, 12-inch teeth into the creature. These D-Shaped teeth would slice through flesh with ease, helping the T-Rex kill its foes and pick them clean. The Ankylosaurus was far more defensive than the T-Rex. That doesn’t mean it was helpless, though. This dinosaur could use its weight and bony protrusions to great effect, charging and trampling foes. Other than that, it’s believed that the dinosaur would use the large bony club on the end of its tail to ward off or harm predators.
T-Rex vs Ankylosaurus: Who Would Win in a Fight?
The T-Rex would most likely kill an Ankylosaurus in a fight. It may take a while, though. The T-Rex has powerful jaws, and that might be enough to bite through the osteoderms that protect the smaller dinosaur’s body. Of course, several bites may be needed to deal a fatal blow through the armored body of the other dinosaur. Otherwise, the T-Rex would need to grab and flip the other dinosaur over and then bite it, a tall task indeed. The T-Rex probably wouldn’t walk away from the fight unscathed. A few bashes from the tail or the T-Rex biting down on the wrong part of the Ankylosaurus’ body would be painful and damaging. At the end of the day, though, it’s far more likely that the apex predator T-Rex would manage to kill the Ankylosaurus than the other way around.
