T rex had lips covering its teeth new study upends Jurassic Park image

Teeth may have stayed hidden behind soft lips

A new study in Science suggests T rex and other theropod dinosaurs likely had lips that covered their teeth when their mouths were closed. Researchers point to tooth wear patterns and skull proportions that fit with soft tissues, challenging the familiar image of permanently exposed fangs. The study even finds similarities to how modern reptiles like Komodo dragons keep teeth covered.