first-ever adult T. rex trackway
Massive footprints preserve a 66.5-million-year-old walk through North Dakota
Scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Liverpool John Moores University in England have discovered the first adult T. rex trackway, providing insights into how this emblematic predator moved.
The Find
The trackway was found in 2025 on federal land administered by the U.S. Forest Service near Marmarth, North Dakota.
The trackway records two left and two right footprints, with a stride of approximately 13 feet. Researchers estimate the animal was walking about 3.5 to 4.5 mph, roughly comparable to a brisk human walking pace. Because the tracks are heavily weathered, the speed estimate is approximate.
Trackway Lateral View
Team Excavating Trackway
Trackway Close-Up View
Trackway Overhead View
Excavation Team with Trackway
Excavated Trackway
A Deeper Look
The team used high-resolution 3D surface scanning to document each footprint and the full trackway. The resulting digital models allow scientists to examine the tracks in detail and create physical 3D reproductions.
Take a deeper look at the trackway. Video credit: Peter Falkingham
Picture the Past
Illustrations from artist Andrey Atuchin help us visualize how the trackway formed.
