Dave Hone: T-Rex, Dinosaurs, Extinction, Evolution, and Jurassic Park | Lex Fridman Podcast #480
Lex Fridman
Sep 4, 2025
Paleontologist Dave Hone argues that T-Rex was an 'arch predator' rather than a traditional apex predator, primarily hunting juvenile herbivores to minimize risk. Contrary to cinematic portrayals, T-Rex was likely nocturnal, possessed immense visual acuity, and lacked evidence of pack-hunting behavior, functioning instead as a solitary, energy-efficient power walker.
Key insight: T-Rex had the smallest ligamentous pits of any tyrannosaur, suggesting its tiny arms were largely non-functional, serving as a stark contrast to the crushing power of its massive, bone-shattering jaws.
