First T. Rex Trackway Discovered in Hell Creek Formation

A curious high school teacher named Kent Hups embarked on a field trip through the famous Hell Creek Formation. This region stretches across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and is packed with dinosaur bones from the Late Cretaceous period. However, finding actual dinosaur footprints remains incredibly difficult because the surrounding rocks tend to crumble before tracks can be saved.

During his expedition in July 2025, Hups stumbled upon two enormous prints that eventually became the first recorded T. rex trackway. He measured each impression carefully—the longest stretch measured over 3 feet, while the width ran between 2 and 2½ feet. These proportions strongly suggested the creature was a carnivore, specifically the largest meat-eating dinosaur of its era.

Additional prints emerged when fellow researcher Tyler Lyson joined the dig. Together they uncovered a third and fourth mark, plus a fifth later that summer. The middle digit stood out—it was longer than the side toes, mirroring T. rex foot structure. The team shared their findings in a September study, describing the site as a true time machine that captures prehistoric movement.

Earlier, only two isolated prints had been linked to T. rex in this area. Now the group has five clear tracks, confirming the site's significance. The soft, muddy soil of ancient North Dakota played a crucial role in preserving these traces, allowing scientists to see exactly how the apex predator walked.