The Tyrannosaurid family is a group of massive theropod dinosaurs with incredible bite force. These factors have always placed them at the top of their respective food chains and made their final member, Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the most recognizable creatures of the Cretaceous to the modern world.

The fossil remains of tyrannosaurids are unusually complete for a dinosaur family and have been incredibly well documented. We know much about the different genera in this family, including such names as Daspletosaurus, Gorgosaurus, Albertosaurus, Qianzhousaurus, and of course, Tyrannosaurus. They grew to massive sizes and had huge skulls with a dangerous bite. Studies of tyrannosaurid jaw fossils show that this family of dinosaurs had specific adaptations to resist torsion stress when biting down, with some species capable of a bite force seven times that of a modern American alligator.

This specimen is a fossilized Tyrannosaurid vertebra from private land in the Javelina Formation in Texas. During the Cretaceous, this area contained swamps and woodlands that were home to ceratopsians, raptors, pterodactyls, and tyrannosaurids such as the iconic T. rex.

The history of this formation is still being discovered by paleontologists today, though we know it was quite an ecologically diverse environment. These particular fossils are estimated to be over 66 million years old and belong to the Tyrannosaurid family. Given the species known at this location today, it is quite possible they are from the Tyrannosaurus rex itself or a very near relative.

Each vertebra fossil ships with a certificate of authenticity as well as a handsome display stand. They make fantastic centerpieces for any paleontological collection and are incredible to hold in your hand. Several tyrannosaurid fossils are available, each photographed and listed separately in the collection below.

Most research suggests that T. rex and its fellow large tyrannosaurids (Gorgosaurus, Albertosaurus, and Tarbosaurus) both hunted and scavenged to meet the requirements for powering such huge bodies.

Among the other dinosaurs bearing tyrannosaurid bite marks are ceratopsids, hadrosaurs, and other tyrannosaurs (reflecting the sort of opportunistic cannibalism also widespread among predators). Sauropods such as Alamosaurus, which overlapped with T. rex in North America, and Opisthocoelicaudia, which shared Asian landscapes with Tarbosaurus, may also have been tyrannosaurid quarry.

Studies suggest the great tyrannosaurids achieved their huge size through accelerated growth spurts. At the peak of its growth spurt, a young T. rex may have put on the better part of a ton annually.

Bite marks from conspecifics have been found on the skulls of large tyrannosaurids, suggesting they may have bitten each other in dominance or reproductive interactions. It’s possible some species were gregarious, perhaps even pack-hunters; the first known tyrannosaurid trackway, from a Late Cretaceous formation in British Columbia, hints at three animals traveling together.

Despite popular depictions of poor depth perception, studies show that when compared to other giant theropods, tyrannosaurids had a wide postorbital skull which resulted in forward-facing eyes and acute binocular vision.

The spine of a Tyrannosaurus rex was subject to tremendous force. The size and strength of the vertebrae were essential to providing support for this enormous predator, but the entire apparatus also had to allow for rapid changes in movement and critical striking speed.