Can a T-Rex Be Disabled by Flipping It Over?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of whether a T-Rex could be disabled by flipping it over, exploring biomechanics, weaponry, and the implications of a T-Rex's physical characteristics. The conversation touches on various aspects including the feasibility of making a T-Rex fall on its back, the effectiveness of firearms against such a creature, and alternative methods of incapacitation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a T-Rex, like a duck, might not be able to get up if flipped onto its back due to its two-legged stance.
  • Another participant questions whether a T-Rex could roll to one side and stand up, indicating uncertainty about its biomechanics.
  • A participant argues that getting a T-Rex to fall directly onto its back would be challenging, as animals typically manage to avoid such falls.
  • Discussion includes the comparison of T-Rex weight to that of an African elephant, with a participant suggesting that using firearms designed for large animals would be more effective than flipping it over.
  • Another participant mentions historical elephant guns that could potentially take down a T-Rex, emphasizing the availability of technology to deal with large creatures.
  • A participant recalls a show suggesting that a T-Rex would likely sustain injuries if it fell, implying that any fall could incapacitate it without needing to flip it over specifically.
  • There are references to various firearms and their muzzle energies, with some participants discussing their effectiveness against a T-Rex.
  • Alternative methods of incapacitation are proposed, including the use of sedative darts, with one participant suggesting the use of depleted uranium to harden the darts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the biomechanics of a T-Rex, the effectiveness of firearms, and alternative incapacitation methods. There is no consensus on the best approach to disable a T-Rex.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the physical capabilities of a T-Rex, the effectiveness of different types of firearms, and the feasibility of alternative methods for incapacitation. The discussion remains speculative and does not resolve these uncertainties.

RyanH42
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I watched Juressic World.And there they are trying to destroy Trex to shooting it.I measn people using guns to kill or defuse a Trex.
I have a duck.And when duck turns upside down,I mean when its back touches ground it can't get up itself.So here my idea
We can turn Trex Upside down,again I mean the back touches ground,Trex cannot get up cause he has two legs.
Is my idea true ?

Note:Maybe this is not a biology question.I don't know
 
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You could call it a biomechanics question. I wonder if they wouldn't be able to roll to one side and stand with just their feet.
 
It would require a substantial amount of work to get a T-rex to fall directly onto its back. Animals, of all sizes, typically rotate their limbs and body when falling so that they don't fall on their backs, but onto their feet or sides instead. Getting a T-rex to fall onto its back is probably much harder than making a cat fall directly on its back, and I've never even been able to do the latter.
 
IIRC T-Rexes are estimated to have weighed about 7 tonnes which is comparable to an African Elephant. We have guns that can take down an elephant, if you wanted to kill a T-Rex using one of those would be a lot easier than trying to get it to somehow fall on its back.
 
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Ryan has it nailed exactly.

There were very powerful elephant guns in use in the first half of the 20th Century. For example - the 600 nitro express, which was a side by side rifle that was very heavy. These rifles were actually overpowered as they were designed to stop a charging very large mammal -elephant or rhino. They did exactly that. And probably damaged the soft tissue of the shooter's shoulder.

If we were actually having to deal with large charging dinosaurs with same same mass as an elephant then we already have the technology to instantly flatten said beastie, dating from about 1903. Old but effective. Which would derail the plot -- I am guessing.
 
I recall seeing a dinosaur show on History Channel a few years back and they maintained that, due to their great mass, if a T-Rex fell over for any reason, it would be guaranteed to break bones and be crippled. Therefore, it wouldn't be necessary to make it fall on its back. Making it fall any way at all, would put it out of commission.

It that's true, it would mean the T-Rex wasn't the fast-running predator of the movies, but a scavenger that actually strolled around at a safe, slow pace, sniffing around for things that were already dead by other means. It couldn't risk a chase or a battle with prey.
 
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Interesting.

From here
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.600_Overkill
the muzzle velocity is up to 2450 Fps and the muzzle energy is up to 11995 Ft. Lbs. Or 16172 Joules

comparing to other other firearms from
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzzle_energy
Firearm - Caliber - Muzzle energy ft-lbs joules
air gun spring .177 15 20
air gun mag spring .22 22 30
air gun https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/Pre-charged_pneumatic_(PCP) . 22 30+ 40+
pistol https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle 117 159
pistol https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/9%C3%9719mm_Parabellum 383 519
pistol https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/.45_ACP 416 564
pistol https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/.357_Magnum 640 873
pistol https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/10mm 775 1,057
rifle https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/5.56%C3%9745mm_NATO 1,325 1,796
rifle https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm 1,527 2,070
rifle https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO 2,802 3,799
heavy https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/.50_BMG 11,091 15,037
heavy https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/14.5%C3%97114mm 23,744 32,000

The https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO was a Nato round M14,( Vietnam) - apparently not enough to stop a T-rex. ( M16 similar )
The https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm was soviet ie the famous AK47
The https://www.physicsforums.com/wiki/.50_BMG Browning machine gun, sniper ammo - better choice.

Seems like the regular ammo issue for gun enthusiasts and regular army infantry would be lacking in penetration power - maybe only 10 inches through tough skin and flesh.
T-Rex might be annoyed. Lucky shot to vital organs - possible but unlikely.
 
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RPG be good... :smile:
 
Several darts which inject a sedative?
I think that has been used in real life with less dangerous animals.
Harden the darts with depleted uranium if necessary.
 
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I think this thread has run its course. Thread locked.
 
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