When we think about dinosaurs, it’s easy to imagine them all roaming the Earth together in one prehistoric, ancient era. But here’s a fact that will completely change how you view the age of dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus rex lived closer in time to humans than it did to Stegosaurus.
That’s right. Despite their starring roles in dinosaur documentaries and movies, T-Rex and Stegosaurus never actually crossed paths. In fact, they were separated by a staggering 84 million years! Let’s break down this incredible time gap and explore how these two iconic dinosaurs lived in completely different periods.
Watch the Full Video for More Surprising Historical Facts
Want more mind-blowing facts that will change your perception of history? Check out our video Facts That Change Your Perception of Time to learn how these two dinosaurs were worlds apart and uncover more surprising historical coincidences!
The T-Rex and Stegosaurus Timeline Explained
Stegosaurus: A Jurassic Giant
Stegosaurus, with its distinct plates and spiky tail, walked the Earth around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. This herbivorous dinosaur was one of the giants of its time, coexisting with other prehistoric creatures like the Allosaurus and Diplodocus.
Stegosaurus became extinct long before some of the most well-known dinosaurs, including the Tyrannosaurus rex, even appeared. This dinosaur’s reign ended around the same time that large shifts in Earth’s climate were beginning to take shape.

Tyrannosaurus Rex: The Cretaceous King
Now fast forward to 66 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. The fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex was at the top of the food chain, ruling over a completely different landscape. While the Earth was still populated by giant dinosaurs, it was millions of years closer to our modern-day world.

T-Rex lived in a world dominated by different species than the ones Stegosaurus encountered. Other creatures like Triceratops and Velociraptors were its contemporaries. What’s truly mind-boggling is that the time separating T-Rex from Stegosaurus is far greater than the time separating T-Rex from the first humans.
Humans and T-Rex: Closer Than You Think
To put it in perspective: Tyrannosaurus rex lived just 66 million years before humans, whereas Stegosaurus lived 84 million years before T-Rex. This means the gap between T-Rex and Stegosaurus is longer than the time from T-Rex to modern humans!

So, while T-Rex never roamed alongside humans, it was closer in time to us than to its Jurassic cousin, Stegosaurus. These mind-bending facts make us reconsider how we view history — and dinosaurs!
Why Did Stegosaurus and T-Rex Never Meet?
The gap between Stegosaurus and T-Rex can be explained by Earth’s shifting environments. The Jurassic period was a time of lush forests and warm climates, which allowed herbivorous dinosaurs like Stegosaurus to thrive. By the Cretaceous period, the climate had cooled, and the landscape had dramatically changed, bringing a new era of dinosaurs, like the meat-eating T-Rex.
Conclusion: Rethinking Dinosaur History and Their Time on Earth
It’s easy to imagine dinosaurs as one cohesive group, but the reality is much more complex and fascinating. With T-Rex living closer to humans than to Stegosaurus, we begin to see history through an entirely new lens. Keep exploring these time-bending facts, and you’ll never see the past the same way again!