Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus lived millions of years apart in different parts of the world. The long-skulled Giganotosaurus of South America lived during the Mesozoic Era 97 million years ago, while the massive heavy-headed T-Rex of North America lived during the upper Cretaceous periods, Maastrichtian age 67 to 65.5 million years ago. Both of these extinct dinosaurs were carnivorous and enormous in comparison to other dinosaurs.
Size and Description:
Paleontologists believe Giganotosaurus measured between 39 and 46 feet in length (12 to 14 meters) and weighed between 6.5 and 13.3 U.S. tons (5.9 to 12 tons). Giganotosaurus had a long neck and head, walked upright on two large and powerful back legs, and had a long tail. It had two short but powerful arms with claws and powerful jaws. The dinosaur had the longest skull of any known theropod, ranging in length from 5.9 to 6.5 feet (1.8 to 2 meters). Giganotosaurus had an unusually small brain for its enormous size and a large skull. It is thought to have had a keen sense of smell.
Sue, the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered, stood up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the hips and was 40 feet (12.3 meters) long. T-Rex weighed up to nine U.S. tons. It had powerful thighs and a powerful tail that helped it balance its large head and move quickly. T-Rex's two-fingered forearms were too small for it to use to kill or even get a meal to its mouth. The T-Rex most likely lived in areas with high humidity and semi-tropical temperatures, near water sources, and in coastal swamps and open forests.
Range and Habitat:
Giganotosaurus was discovered in what is now Argentina, South America, and would have lived in a Patagonian desert 97 million years ago. Most paleontologists believe Giganotosaurus would have been too large to venture too far into the swamp forest and would have spent its time feeding in the open or on the swamp forest's edge. An almost complete Giganotosaurus skeleton was discovered in Patagonia, South Argentina, in 1993.
All Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils have been discovered in North America, with 13 known specimens believed to be buried under the ground in the United States and Canada. T-Rex fossils have been discovered in Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Saskatchewan.
Diet and Hunting:
Giganotosaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur, and it is believed to have preyed on large plant-eating dinosaurs, such as titanosaurs and argentinosaur. Some researchers believe that Giganotosaurus hunted in packs, similar to their relatives, the carcaradontosaurus.
T-Rex was a carnivore with the potential to be an opportunistic scavenger. It most likely specialized in hunting large dinosaurs such as Edmontosaurus and Triceratops. T-Rex's front teeth gripped and pulled, its side teeth tore flesh, and its back teeth diced chunks of meat and forced food into the throat.
Hypothetical Battle:
In a hypothetical battle between Giganotosaurus and T-Rex, the T-Rex is thought to have the advantage due to its heavier tail, greater jaw power, and more developed dental structure. The T-Rex's bite force was estimated to be 18,000 PSI, while the Giganotosaurus had a bite force of only about 6,000 PSI. The T-Rex's ancestors had advanced brain functions and sensory perceptions, making it one of the most intelligent dinosaurs.
The T-Rex's fighting strategy, heavier tail, and powerful bite would likely give it the edge in a battle against the Giganotosaurus. The Giganotosaurus would be at a significant disadvantage due to its need to get very close to the T-Rex to hurt it.
