What was the fastest dinosaur?

Published: Monday, April 28, 2025 at 9:00 am

**What Was the Fastest Dinosaur? Uncovering Dino Speed Secrets**

Ever wondered which dinosaur could outrun the others? This article dives into the fascinating world of dinosaur speed, exploring how scientists are unraveling the mysteries of these ancient giants. The discovery of *Deinonychus* in 1964 sparked a "dinosaur renaissance," shifting the view from slow, cold-blooded creatures to agile, active animals.

While pinpointing the absolute fastest is tricky, paleontologists like Susannah Maidment suggest the **Ornithomimosauria**, often described as ostrich-like, were likely contenders due to their long, slender limbs built for speed. Researchers use biomechanics, studying leg length and stride to estimate speed, but trackways can be imprecise.

To get a more accurate picture, scientists like William Sellers are turning to **evolutionary robotics and biomechanical modeling**. By creating computer-generated dinosaur skeletons and simulating movement, they can estimate speeds more realistically. Sellers' models revealed that *Compsognathus* was the fastest of the dinosaurs he modeled, clocking in at nearly 40 mph, with *Velociraptor* coming in second. Surprisingly, the mighty *T. rex* was the slowest in the group.

Ultimately, determining the absolute fastest dinosaur requires modeling all species, a time-consuming process. However, the article reminds us that the fastest dinosaur alive today is the **peregrine falcon**, a bird that can reach speeds of 200 mph in a dive!

Keywords: fastest dinosaur, dinosaur speed, Ornithomimosauria, Compsognathus, Velociraptor, T. rex, biomechanics, evolutionary robotics, dinosaur modeling, paleontologist, Deinonychus, dinosaur renaissance, peregrine falcon, dinosaur movement, dinosaur trackways, dinosaur fossils, dinosaur research, dinosaur locomotion, dinosaur speed estimation

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