Dinosaurs were unfortunate! Many of them 'did not get to enjoy life' and died in their prime. It is interesting to consider how long these giants could have lived if it weren't for the meteorite impact?
It was previously believed that many dinosaurs reached their colossal sizes through slow and continuous growth, similar to that of crocodiles and iguanas.
It was thought that this took a century or more. However, new data has disproved this notion! Dinosaurs generally grew quickly and died at a young age (even without the impact of a meteorite!).
Short Life
Modern researchers determine the age of dinosaurs (in fossilized form) by analyzing their bones and counting growth lines. Similar to trees, dinosaurs formed one growth ring in their bones each year. Recent studies show that the Tyrannosaurus reached its maximum size around 16-22 years and typically died at ages ranging from 27 to 33 years.
Other large predators known as carcharodontosaurids lived up to 39-53 years. The largest dinosaurs, long-necked sauropods like the Brontosaurus and Diplodocus, likely reached similar ages, although some of them may have lived a decade or two longer — possibly up to 70 years.
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