Could you outrun a T-Rex?

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**Ouze**

Probably not (source). In my effort to post less political stuff in the O-tizzle, here is some important research.

Could you outrun a Tyrannosaurus rex?
Just how quick was the great tyrant lizard, exactly? Experts in biomechanics think she was pretty damn quick – but still probably not as fast as you think.

Researchers have been debating over the speed of dinosaurs – and T. rex, specifically – for years. Reconstructions of dinosaurs toward the end of the 19th century often depicted them as fast-moving creatures, but by the mid-twentieth century, that vision had been turned on its head. Large, bipedal theropods like T. rex were often presented standing completely upright, their tails dragging along behind them in a manner suggestive of slow, lumbering locomotion.

Over the last few decades, however, the standard model of T. rex locomotion has been revised yet again. Some studies have pushed for a "fast-running" T. rex hypothesis, claiming that the tyrant lizard may have been capable of speeds in excess of 45 miles per hour – but more recent investigations now suggest that T. rex was neither sloth-like nor super-swift. According to John R. Hutchinson (who has published studies on T. rex biomechanics in scientific journals no less-esteemed than Nature), Tyrannosaur speeds likely topped out in the "moderate range" of 5–11 meters per second, or between 15 and 25 miles per hour. You might be able to outrun a T. rex on the low end of that spectrum – but the middle- to high-end? Unless you're an elite athlete, odds are you're a goner. (For reference: Usain Bolt holds the world record for fastest human footspeed, clocking in at just under 28 miles per hour.)

What about other Theropods?

One of the most significant studies to examine the speed of T. rex and other theropods was published in 2007 by William Sellers and Phillip Manning, paleontologists at the University of Manchester. The study was unique in that it relied on a computer program called GaitSym to model the top speed of five different dinosaurs: Compsognathus, Velociraptor, Dilophosaurus, Allosaurus and T. rex. (All of which, it bears mentioning, were bipedal and carnivorous.)

The pair used data from known fossil models to reconstruct the dinosaurs' locomotive anatomies and musculoskeletal features. These models were then pushed to their limits in the GaitSym program, which ran each dinosaur's model through different combinations of muscle activation patterns. Patterns that caused the models to falter were abandoned, while simulations where the dinosaur ran at least 15 meters were investigated more thoroughly.

Finally, Sellers and Manning simulated the running speeds of humans, emu and ostrich – species with documented top speeds – to help validate the accuracy of GaitSym. Here are the figures they came up with, as reported in Proceedings of the Royal Society B:

Spoiler:

This is the table we used to create the infographic up top. You'll notice the estimated speed for T. rex (8.0 meters per second) is smack dab in the middle of the "moderate range" of 5–11 ms-1 cited by Hutchinson. Dromaius, Struthio and Homo correspond to emu, ostrich and human, respectively. These numbers corresponded well with top speed data for all three species, and helped demonstrate the accuracy of the GaitSym model.

The upshot: the smaller the bipedal theropod, the faster it runs (just look at that freaking Compy!). The good news is that according to Sellers and Manning's models, the monstrous T. rex would actually be the easiest of the simulated dinosaurs to outpace in a sprint for your life. The bad news? Considering the average T. rex clocked in at about .44 kilometers per hour faster than the average human, there's still a pretty good chance you're humped.

I suppose the only consolation hidden in these findings is that when Sellers and Manning performed these simulations in 2007, they were still using model predictions that put T. rex's weight at 6,000 kg, but a study published by Hutchinson in 2011 put this figure at over 8,000 kg. If we go by the rule of bigger = slower, there's a chance the newer, larger T. Rex model would lag just a bit behind your average human. Unless T. rex really did run closer to 11 meters per second, in which case you're probably doomed no matter what.

Top image by io9 graphics ninja Stephanie Fox; dinosaur speed table via Sellers and Manning. A version of this post appeared on io9 in 2011.

Posts that I, as OP, would consider on-topic for this thread:

Obviously, posts about the story

Discussion of evading and fighting dinosaurs with only melee weapons

Discussion of plot points in the Jurassic Park films

Opinions on what the coolest dinosaur is

Whether or not a velociraptor covered in feathers is more or less terrifying

**Kilkrazy**

I read a thing a couple of years ago that said T Rex may not have run very much because if it fell over it would break its neck owing to its front limbs being so small.

Instead, it was an ambush hunter. (Which poses the question of what it hid behind.)

**SagesStone**

Is that a cue for Creed to show up with a smug grin?

**dogma**

Full text. Interesting stuff.

**Leigen_Zero**

I don't need to be able to outrun the T-rex, as long as I can outrun some of my fellow Dakkanauts I'm safe

**AlmightyWalrus**

n0t_u wrote:
Is that a cue for Creed to show up with a smug grin?

Wait, who could possibly be good enough to Outflank stuff retroactively? That'd take some kind of tactical gen...

**Sigvatr**

The real questions is:

Why would I have to?

**Cheesecat**

Sigvatr wrote:
The real questions is:

Why would I have to?

Because all our government leaders are reptilians and the only reason humans exist is because the reptilians wiped out the dinosaurs and are keeping the DNA of every dinosaur species in a secret lab just in case they need to reintroduce the dinosaurs back on this earth

because if the humans find out there leaders are secretly 5- to 12-foot (1.5–3.7 m) tall, blood-drinking, shape-shifting reptilian humanoids from the Alpha Draconis star system, that use human disguises. That's why.

**4oursword**

Of course I can. They're dead.

**nels1031**

I wouldn't have to outrun a Trex, I'd just remain perfectly still. As long as I remain still and aren't seated on a toilet, I'm good to go.

I learned this from a Steven Spielberg amusement park documentary when I was little. Steven doesn't lie.

**KingCracker**

Kilkrazy wrote:
I read a thing a couple of years ago that said T Rex may not have run very much because if it fell over it would break its neck owing to its front limbs being so small.

Instead, it was an ambush hunter. (Which poses the question of what it hid behind.)

2 answers KK.

Mountains. Mountains everywhere.
Creed.

**Dreadclaw69**

Leigen_Zero wrote:
I don't need to be able to outrun the T-rex, as long as I can outrun some of my fellow Dakkanauts I'm safe

Beat me to it

**Ensis Ferrae**

Kilkrazy wrote:

Instead, it was an ambush hunter. (Which poses the question of what it hid behind.)

I personally would think that, if it were an ambush predator, that this would mean it plays off the notion that dinosaurs were incapable of distinguishing shapes, etc. but instead relied on movement and vibrations (similar to snakes today?) in order to see their own doom.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

4oursword wrote:
Of course I can. They're dead.

but what about zombie t-rex?? could you outrun them then?

**Cheesecat**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:
4oursword wrote:
Of course I can. They're dead.
but what about zombie t-rex?? could you outrun them then?

Depends if it's a fast or slow zombie T-rex.

**LordofHats**

I would think that given environment, a human is small enough to get somewhere a Rex couldn't follow. Unless you're on the great plains or something, in which case:

Leigen_Zero wrote:
I don't need to be able to outrun the T-rex, as long as I can outrun some of my fellow Dakkanauts I'm safe

My plan XD

**whembly**

Cheesecat wrote:
Ensis Ferrae wrote:
4oursword wrote:
Of course I can. They're dead.
but what about zombie t-rex?? could you outrun them then?

Depends if it's a fast or slow zombie T-rex.

Or if he's possessed by Bob! (Dresden reference)

**Dark Apostle 666**

I would have thought the T-Rex would go for "aggressive scavenging" - essentially let other dinos do the hunting, then muscle in and steal the kill. Sure I read that someplace.

But anyway, Hiding would be better than running, I'd say.

Zombie T-Rex is another matter!

**Rysaer**

What to do if you find yourself being chased by a T-Rex with no hope of outrunning or escaping it:

Consider yourself lucky that life has been good to you so far. Alternatively, if life hasn't been good to you so far — which, given your present circumstances, seems more likely — consider yourself lucky that it won't be troubling you much longer.

**Grey Templar**

If it was an Ambush predator it was probably capable of short fast bursts of speed but would quickly tire out.

And it wouldn't be all that hard for it to hide. a stand of trees would be sufficient. Its not like it only lived on open savanna where everything could see it coming from miles away.

Humans would have several advantages over the T-rex.

1) a little too small to be worth the effort.

2) can hide in places the T-rex couldn't reach.

The Lion is perfectly capable of killing a Mongoose, but its too small to be a worthwhile food source.

Humans would need to worry about things like Raptors. Allosaurus maybe would prey on humans but it would be a rarity.

**AegisGrimm**

Cheesecat wrote:
Ensis Ferrae wrote:
4oursword wrote:
Of course I can. They're dead.
but what about zombie t-rex?? could you outrun them then?

Depends if it's a fast or slow zombie T-rex.

Actually it depends entirely on how fast the polka-guy on it's back is playing the bass drum.

**azazel the cat**

I think a Human would generally be okay against a T-Rex, because when running from a much larger, heavier adversary, the smaller, more lithe prey has the advantage of being more able to make rapid, 90-degree turns that the much larger T-Rex cannot match or compensate for. Those top speeds assume running in a straight line, which -unless you are Usain Bolt- is a bad idea.

**MeanGreenStompa**

I don't need to outrun that Rex, I got me a gun.

**Cheesecat**

azazel the cat wrote:
I think a Human would generally be okay against a T-Rex, because when running from a much larger, heavier adversary, the smaller, more lithe prey has the advantage of being more able to make rapid, 90-degree turns that the much larger T-Rex cannot match or compensate for. Those top speeds assume running in a straight line, which -unless you are Usain Bolt- is a bad idea.

Usian Bolt has to be the coolest name for a runner, it's like the parents knew he was going to be the fastest man ever.

**BolingbrokeIV**

Bolt could almost outrun the raptor over 200m. He'd be neck and neck with the dilophosaurus...probably not where you want to be when trying to run away from it.

Cheesecat wrote:
azazel the cat wrote:
I think a Human would generally be okay against a T-Rex, because when running from a much larger, heavier adversary, the smaller, more lithe prey has the advantage of being more able to make rapid, 90-degree turns that the much larger T-Rex cannot match or compensate for. Those top speeds assume running in a straight line, which -unless you are Usain Bolt- is a bad idea.

Usian Bolt has to be the coolest name for a runner, it's like the parents knew he was going to be the fastest man ever.

It's unfortunate he's more likely to have inherited that name from a slave owner.

**Cheesecat**

BolingbrokeIV wrote:
Bolt could almost outrun the raptor over 200m. He'd be neck and neck with the dilophosaurus...probably not where you want to be when trying to run away from it.

Cheesecat wrote:
azazel the cat wrote:
I think a Human would generally be okay against a T-Rex, because when running from a much larger, heavier adversary, the smaller, more lithe prey has the advantage of being more able to make rapid, 90-degree turns that the much larger T-Rex cannot match or compensate for. Those top speeds assume running in a straight line, which -unless you are Usain Bolt- is a bad idea.

Usian Bolt has to be the coolest name for a runner, it's like the parents knew he was going to be the fastest man ever.

It's unfortunate he's more likely to have inherited that name from a slave owner.

Wow, you just had to turn his awesome name into a depressing story.

**Grey Templar**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:
I don't need to outrun that Rex, I got me a gun.

How big?

A 9mm probably won't do much besides annoy him.

You'd probably need to get a shotgun, AR-15, or .45 caliber something before you starting being dangerous to it. And then you may not kill it right away.

**Coolyo294**

Ouze wrote:

Opinions on what the coolest dinosaur is

Clearly it is the Carnotaurus.
Just look at that thing.

It could probably kill you with those eyebrows alone.

**timetowaste85**

Coolyo294 wrote:
Ouze wrote:

Opinions on what the coolest dinosaur is
Clearly it is the Carnotaurus.
Just look at that thing.

It could probably kill you with those eyebrows alone.

The only death that thing is causing is expiration from split sides. That's hilarious! No wonder it went extinct*-too ugly to attract a mate.

*I assume it died before the comet/aliens/ice-age/Adam and Eve hit earth

**Ma55ter_fett**

I think if you lived exclusively in heavily wooded areas you could outrun it by virtue of being able to maneuver better around tree's.

Or you could challange it to see who could do the most pushups in a minute.

**azazel the cat**

While the T-Rex is probably the coolest dinosaur, I think that the Triceratops shold be given an honourable mention, simply because it would be the most likely dinosaur that could be rode with a saddle.