First T rex Footprints Discovered in North Dakota Trackway 2026

The first known T rex footprints have been discovered in North Dakota, marking a groundbreaking moment in paleontology. A team of scientists identified a 23ft-long trackway consisting of four three-toed footprints—two left and two right—in the Hell Creek Formation.

Discovery of T rex Footprints in North Dakota

The trackway was first spotted last year by researchers from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Liverpool John Moores University. These T rex footprints date back 66.5 million years, making them the first known series left by an adult Tyrannosaurus rex. While isolated footprints and juvenile tracks have been found before, this is the first time a walking sequence has been identified.

What the T rex Footprints Reveal

Each footprint measures about 3 feet long, with a stride of approximately 13 feet. Using high-resolution 3D scanning, the team created detailed reproductions and estimated the animal was walking at 3.5-4.5 mph. "Bones tell us an enormous amount about these animals, but footprints capture a moment of behavior," said Tyler Lyson, senior curator at the Denver Museum. "With a trackway, we can actually follow an animal as it moved across the landscape. That is incredibly rare for T rex."

Comparison of T rex Fossil Evidence

Key Takeaways from the T rex Trackway

• First known trackway of an adult T rex.
• Provides direct evidence of walking behavior.
• Estimated speed of 3.5-4.5 mph.
• Found in the Hell Creek Formation, a hotspot for dinosaur fossils.
• Published in a scientific journal, confirming its significance.

Why This Discovery Matters

This finding offers a rare glimpse into the daily life of T rex. Footprints capture a moment in time, showing how the animal moved and interacted with its environment. The trackway also highlights the importance of the Hell Creek Formation for future paleontological research.

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