Scientists believe that the stunted limbs supported strong muscles after studying the skeleton of one of the dinosaurs.
The T-Rex arms have mystified scientists for decades but the study on the fossil - which was discovered in Argentina - proves that the limbs did have a purpose.
The boffins studied the fossil of the Meraxes gigas, which grew to 36 feet and can be compared with a T-Rex as it has a similar shape.
Research leader Dr. Juan Canale said: "The skeleton shows large muscle insertions... so the arm had strong muscles. I am convinced those proportionally tiny arms had a function.
"The harder question is what exactly the functions were. Sex and balance are most likely."
He added: "They may have used the arms for reproductive behaviour such as holding the female during mating or to support themselves to stand back up after a fall."
There is hope for an old short armed Dinosaur like me......  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The positions in which dinosaurs had sex has always been a mystery to me. There is some research work published here:
https://www.bbcearth.com/news/how-did-dinosaurs-have-sex
But I am not convinced. If I get a chance to use a time machine to the past, this is the first thing I will try to figure out first. |
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