Recent research from the University of Edinburgh sheds light on an incredible prehistoric phenomenon: the coexistence of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs at a water source. Fossilized footprints uncovered in Scotland suggest that the Tyrannosaurus rex’s ancestors cohabited and perhaps congregated alongside plant-eating dinosaurs like the sauropods at a lagoon approximately 167 million years ago. This discovery provides a fascinating glimpse into the behaviors and interactions of dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period.
Lead author of the study, Tone Blakesley, who is now a Master’s graduate at the University of Edinburgh, initially found three dinosaur footprints at a remote site on the Isle of Skye’s Trotternish Peninsula back in 2019. The excitement around this discovery stemmed from its rarity; a total of 131 footprints has been documented to date, showcasing a range of both carnivorous and herbivorous activity. By employing drone technology, Blakesley captured thousands of overlapping images of the footprints, which were then transformed into detailed 3D models through specialized digital software.
Interestingly, the footprints’ flat design led to earlier misinterpretations, with some researchers mistaking them for fish burrows. Blakesley clarified that the shallow impressions resulted from soft sand laid on top of a more rigid mud layer. The fine details preserved within these footprints provide an extraordinary look into the life of dinosaurs, making the site in northern Scotland uniquely valuable due to the scarcity of rock remains from that period.
In stark contrast to the modern-day weather of the Isle of Skye, which is often cold and blustery, during the Middle Jurassic, the area featured a warm and humid subtropical climate, alongside a series of lagoons fed by a vast river estuary. These conditions likely allowed for a rich ecosystem where large creatures could thrive. The sauropods, characterized as “big lumbering giants,” used their long necks to reach treetops for food. The spacing of their footprints allows researchers to estimate that these expansive beasts moved at a leisurely pace, roughly 2.5 kilometers per hour (1.55 miles per hour), which is about half the speed of an average human walking speed.
Conversely, the megalosaurs, a type of theropod, had a much more agile mode of locomotion, managing speeds of around 8 kilometers per hour (5 miles per hour) as they traversed the lagoons. Unlike the slower-moving sauropods, megalosaurs would often shift from one patch of vegetation to another, likely in search of prey or spots to rest. Blakesley emphasized the surreal experience of standing in a place where such majestic creatures once roamed.
While the presence of both types of dinosaurs in the same area is intriguing, there is no evidence to suggest they interacted directly at the lagoon. Blakesley noted that any encounter would have been disastrous for the sauropods, as the carnivorous theropods might have been tempted to prey on them. Despite this concern, Blakesley continues to work at the dinosaur footprint site and has recently discovered even more footprints, indicating that this rich repository of paleontological data has much yet to reveal. He is also investigating dinosaur tracks in various other locations in Scotland and southern England, suggesting that there may be many more sites waiting to be uncovered.
The research was published on a Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, adding to the growing body of scientific literature regarding dinosaur behavior and ecology during the Jurassic period. With each new find, such as the discovery led by Blakesley, we edge closer to a more comprehensive understanding of the lives of these magnificent creatures. The ongoing study of these ancient footprints serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate tapestry of life that once flourished on Earth millions of years ago.