T. Rex Had a Body Temperature of 97°F
New research using geochemical analysis of fossilized T. rex teeth estimates the dinosaur’s body temperature at about 36.3°C (97°F), reinforcing the view that large theropods were warm‑blooded with relatively high metabolisms. Commenters explore what this implies for dinosaur physiology and compare it to modern animals like crocodiles and birds, noting that smaller species might have run even hotter. A large part of the exchange centers on units and communication: Fahrenheit vs. Celsius in science reporting, how people intuitively relate to different temperature scales, and whether outlets like The New York Times should explicitly label units in headlines.
Temperature Findings and Physiology
- Thread centers on the claim that T. rex body temperature was about 36.3 ± 2.5°C (≈97°F), slightly cooler than humans.
- Many see this as supporting warm-blooded (endothermic) dinosaurs, matching other lines of evidence about fast metabolism.
- Comparisons are drawn to modern animals:
- Birds (especially small ones) typically have higher body temperatures; chickens are cited at ~40–42°C (105–107°F).
- Larger vs smaller animals: speculation that smaller raptors may have had even higher body temperatures.
- Some skepticism: one commenter dismisses dinosaur physiological reconstructions as essentially unverifiable “pop science.”
How the Temperature Was Inferred
- Discussion notes that teeth from T. rex were analyzed with a geochemical “clumped isotope”–style technique.
- Controls: crocodilian teeth show temperatures close to ambient, consistent with cold-blooded physiology.
- Argument: if T. rex tooth readings reflected only environment, they would fluctuate and match crocodilians; they do not, suggesting genuine body temperature.
- One participant remains unconvinced, claiming we “don’t know” and implying the inferences are too indirect.
Units and Fahrenheit vs Celsius Debate
- Large subthread about the headline’s “97 degrees” with no explicit unit.
- Some argue it’s obviously Fahrenheit because 97°C or 97 K would be lethal; others insist scientific writing should always specify units.
- Noted that the same newspaper uses Celsius for climate coverage, which makes unlabeled degrees ambiguous.
- Cited style guidance: ordinary temperature references in that outlet’s headlines omit units.
- Extended digression:
- Pro-Fahrenheit: 0–100°F roughly spans typical outdoor experience in many temperate regions, feels intuitive for weather and body temperature.
- Pro-Celsius: globally standard, tied to water’s phase changes, more universal; “room temperature” assumptions around ~22°C are criticized as Western-centric.
- Kelvin mentioned as best for rigorous science, though less intuitive.
Epistemology and Attitudes Toward Science
- Short philosophical branch on “believing” scientific results until they’re updated vs equating that with religious faith.
- Some emphasize evidence-based, revisable belief as the core of scientific knowledge; others argue all knowledge is ultimately belief about past states.
Humor and Media Odds and Ends
- Numerous jokes about a 97°C T. rex, Jurassic Park scenarios, fake song lyrics, and AI-generated music/images.
- Complaints about paywalls and the need to use archived versions of the article.