T-rex Growth Rate

This is for all of you who are a little unfamiliar with Tyrannosaurus' growth rate. It kind of ties into my discussion about Tyrannosaurus being larger than originally thought. When T-rex hatched, it was only about 3 ft long and probably weighed no more than 15 lbs. They spent the next 10 years or so relatively small, never exceeding about 20 ft long and 1 ton. Then, between the ages of 10 and 20, they really packed on the pounds. They grew at a staggering 10 lbs a day! Nearly 4,000 lbs a year! By age 20, the growing slowed down until it was almost non-existent. At this point, Tyrannosaurus weighed in the ballpark of 8-10 tons and was at least 43 ft long or longer. When the rapid growth began at about age 10, they lost their feathers. T-rex died at about age 30-35, give or take. Scientists are able to determine the growth rate of Tyrannosaurus by using the minute amounts of DNA they are able to get from the bones, slicing the bones very thin and looking at the growth rings, and using the few juvenile specimens they have. They then combine this with data from modern day animals like birds. This is post is not exact nor is it perfect, but it get's the general idea across. Like I have said, I study large theropods a the most, especially the tyrannosaurs. [img]http://www.walkingwithdinosaurs.com/suploads/zubin_t.rex_growth_series_medium.jpg[/img]