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Letter: More theories on why T. rex had tiny arms (1)

Published 24 June 2026

From Andrew Evans, Cosheston, Pembrokeshire, UK

Aren’t T. rex’s small arms a question of balance? A bipedal theropod would have balanced over its hip joints. If its skull was enlarging due to evolutionary pressure, as described, then this increased mass would be counterbalanced by a heavier or longer tail. The evolution of lighter arms would keep the increasing weight of its front half to a minimum. Arms would still be very useful but the optimal size smaller (30 May, p 17).

Issue no. 3601 published 27 June 2026

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