Raptor bite marks found on Albertosaurus jawbone

Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified bite marks on the jawbone of an Albertosaurus, suggesting a raptor may have fed on or scavenged the dinosaur.

The study, led by paleontology master’s student Joshua Doyon, found the marks to be the first evidence of a raptor feeding or scavenging on a tyrannosaur.

The Albertosaurus specimen, consisting of scattered skull fragments, was discovered in Alberta’s badlands in 2022 and analyzed by the Royal Tyrrell Museum before being sent to the University of Alberta for further study.

Doyon compared the spacing of the bite marks with the teeth of other carnivorous dinosaurs to determine the likely culprit. He concluded the marks were most likely made by a raptor, not a young Albertosaurus.

The larger Albertosaurus, estimated to be about six metres long and 530 kilograms, died of unknown causes, and the bite marks suggest feeding or scavenging occurred shortly after its death.

Philip Currie, Doyon’s supervisor, noted that evidence of one carnivore feeding on another is rare, making this discovery significant for understanding dinosaur behavior and ecosystems.