Top 5 fastest of prehistoric times

For a long time, dinosaurs had the reputation of being slow and clumsy. But science has evolved well. Today, thanks to biomechanical modeling and the study of their skeletons, researchers can estimate the speed of a dinosaur with greater precision.

It even seems that certain dinosaurs were cut for the race. This is in any case what a new study on the speed of dinosaurs revealed. Research was carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Manchester, led by the professor William Sellers. The goal was toestimate the maximum speed that different dinosaurs could have achieved when they were running.

A study based on advanced tools

For the study, scientists have used Computer biomechanical models. These algorithms integrating both the anatomy of dinosaurs and the laws of physics.

Researchers started with Scan the fossil skeletons of several species, such as the Tyrannosaurus rexthe Velociraptor or the Compsognathus. From this data, they built 3D digital reconstructions. These models included muscles, joints, the center of gravity and the estimated mass of animals. Then they used artificial intelligence algorithms for move movements : walking, running, acceleration …

One of the key points of the study is that it was not content to measure speed as a simple theoretical data. She joined mechanical constraintslike the resistance of bones and muscles to the pressure exerted by movement. For example, although the T. rex had long legs, his bones would not have supported a fast race without risk of fracture. It was therefore classified far behind lighter dinosaurs.

This approach made it possible to better understand not only speed, but also hunting, flight and survival strategies dinosaurs in their environment. By comparing all these simulations, the researchers were also able to establish a Objective classification maximum speeds.

5 – Tyrannosaurus rex – 28.8 km/h

The T. rex is one of the most famous dinosaurs. But contrary to what one might think, he was not a big sprinter. With an estimated speed at 28.8 km/hhe occupies fifth place in this ranking. This slowness would be explained because of its weight. His huge mass would have put enormous pressure on his bones if he had run faster. Therefore, his legs could walk quickly, but not sprinter. Some studies even suggest a slower speed.

See also: Top 10 most famous dinosaurs

4 – Allosaurus – Speed ​​less than 38.9 km/h

L’Allosaurus was a formidable predator of the Jurassic. He had a lighter body than the T. rexbut he did not compete with speed champions. Nevertheless, the models show that it was running slower than the Velociraptor. Its long legs and its relatively low center of gravity allowed it to move quickly over short distances. It was enough to catch a little vigilant prey.

3 – Dilophosaurus — environ 32 km/h

The Dilophosaurusmade famous by Jurassic Parkarrives in third position. Its exact speed remains unknown, but computer models show that it was between the Velociraptor and theAllosaurus. With its slender silhouette, its long rear legs and its agility, it seems to have been cut for fast races. Note that this dinosaur lived at the start of the Jurassic, long before the other candidates in this ranking.

2 – Velociraptor – 38.9 km/h

The Velociraptor was small, fast and intelligent. Thanks to its lightness and its well -developed posterior limbs, it could run to 38.9 km/h. This speed is comparable to that of a European hare. Unlike his image in films, the real Velociraptor measured barely 2 meters long and weighed less than 20 kg. It gave him a certain advantage to hunt or flee a predator.

1 – Compsognathus – 64.1 km/h

The Compsognathus wins first place. According to the work of Professor William Sellers, this little dinosaur could reach a speed of 64.1 km/h. It’s almost As fast as a cheetah ! This dinosaur was actually tiny (about 3 kg), had long legs and a very light body. This morphology made him an exceptional runner. His speed served him as much to chase small prey that escape big carnivores.

Of course, this top 5 remains partial. Many species have not yet been modeled. And some, like the Ornithomimosauriacould well break records that are still unknown.