Why did ‘Tyrannosaurus rex’ have such short arms?

If humans had the same arm proportions as a T. rex, a 6-foot-tall person would have arms about 11 inches long.

By: Sarah Sheffield, Binghamton University, State University of New York, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 11, 2026

Words: 1,205

Last Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago

By Sarah Sheffield, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

What did the T. rex use its little arms for? – Aurora, age 11, Pemberton Township, New Jersey

One of the most famous dinosaurs to ever roam across Earth, Tyrannosaurus rex, has filled people’s minds with …

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