Not so fast! T-rex was too heavy to run, scientists say

Movies have led us to believe that Tyrannosaurus rex could run at terrifying speeds, but new research suggests the reality was different.

Scientists at the University of Manchester believe the sheer size and weight of the dinosaurs made running impossible, as their legs would have buckled and broken under the pressure of their heavy load.

The results contradict earlier predictions by biochemical models that T-rex could hit speeds of 45mph.

Researchers say even their walking speed would have been limited because of the impact movement had on the skeleton.

The experts created a new simulation model to test their findings - combining two biomechanical techniques known as multibody dynamic analysis and ske letal stress analysis.

Professor William Sellers, who led the research, said: "The running ability of T-rex and other similarly giant dinosaurs has been intensely debated amongst palaeontologists for decades.

"However, different studies using differing methodologies have produced a very wide range of top speed estimates and we say there is a need to develop techniques that can improve these predictions.

"Here we present a new approach that combines two separate biomechanical techniques to demonstrate that true running gaits would probably lead to unacceptably high skeletal loads in T-rex."

He added that the findings also meant running at high speeds was probably highly unlikely for other large two-legged dinosaurs such as Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus.

Fans of Jurassic Park may be disappointed by the research, as it shatters the illusion that a rampant T-rex would have been able to chase a 4x4 through a forest.

(SKY NEWS)