Gallimimus, a dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, roamed what is now Mongolia approximately seventy million years ago. Its name, meaning “chicken mimic,” reflects the structure of its neck vertebrae, resembling those of modern chickens. This creature, often dubbed an “ostrich dinosaur” due to its bird-like appearance, featured a long neck, sleek body, and long legs. Given its build, a common question is: how fast could this ancient animal run?
Estimating Dinosaur Speed
Scientists piece together the locomotive abilities of extinct dinosaurs using fossil evidence. Two primary approaches guide these estimations: the analysis of fossilized trackways and the study of skeletal anatomy. Trackways, preserved sequences of footprints, offer direct insights into how an animal moved.
Paleontologists measure the distance between successive footprints, known as stride length, and combine this with estimates of the dinosaur’s hip height, often derived from footprint size. Mathematical formulas help translate these measurements into an estimated speed. However, trackways represent only a snapshot and rarely capture a dinosaur’s maximum running speed.
Skeletal anatomy provides another avenue for understanding dinosaur speed. Researchers examine bone structure, limb proportions, and muscle attachment points. By comparing these features to living animals with known running capabilities, such as ostriches or horses, scientists can infer how dinosaur bodies were designed for movement. This method allows for a comprehensive understanding of a dinosaur’s potential top speed.
Gallimimus’s Running Capabilities
Gallimimus possessed anatomical features that indicate its capacity for swift movement. Its long, powerful hind limbs were well-suited for generating thrust and covering ground with each stride. The dinosaur also exhibited a lightweight build, a characteristic shared with modern birds, partly due to its hollow bones.
Its three-toed feet provided stability and traction, and its digitigrade stance meant it walked on its toes. A long tail acted as a counterbalance, helping the dinosaur maintain stability and execute quick turns while running. The proportion of its lower leg (tibia) being longer than its thigh (femur) is another indicator of a fast-running animal.
Estimates for Gallimimus’s top speed vary, but generally fall within a wide range. Many studies suggest speeds between 42 to 56 kilometers per hour (29-34 mph). Some research indicates it could reach up to 60-70 kilometers per hour (37-43 mph), with a few estimates extending to 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph). This wide range highlights the challenges in precisely determining the speeds of extinct animals.
How Gallimimus’s Speed Compares
Gallimimus was faster than the fastest human sprinters. For example, Usain Bolt, the world record holder, reaches speeds of approximately 43 kilometers per hour (27 mph). Gallimimus’s estimated speeds mean it could outpace a human.
Compared to modern animals, Gallimimus’s speed is often likened to an ostrich, which can run between 70-80 kilometers per hour (43-49 mph). While Gallimimus was built for speed, its larger size, and the presence of arms and a tail likely made it slightly slower than the modern ostrich. Cheetahs, the fastest land animals today, can achieve speeds of around 112 kilometers per hour (70 mph), significantly faster than even the highest estimates for Gallimimus.
Among its dinosaur contemporaries, Gallimimus was one of the swiftest. Other fast dinosaurs included Ornithomimus, a close relative, which could reach speeds up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 mph). Even Tyrannosaurus rex, often depicted as a fast predator, was slower, with estimates suggesting top speeds of around 19-40 kilometers per hour (12-25 mph). Gallimimus’s speed was a primary defense mechanism against larger predators, allowing it to escape danger.