New species of dinosaur dubbed T-Rex's 'smaller cousin' discovered

A 70 million year old fossilized skull has been discovered in northern Alaska.

16:05 13 March 2014

A new species of dinosaur, which has been discovered in northern Alaska, was described as Tyrannosaurus rex’s “small cousin from the north.”

Scientists have found and examined 70 million year old fossilised skulls which shows that they were from a new pygmy tyrannosaurus.

After examining the skull, roof, palate, and jaw, the team concluded that the species, Nanuqsaurus hoglundi, had an adult head length of 25in, less than half the size of the 60in T-Rex.

Study co-authors Anthony Fiorillo said: “The pygmy tyrannosaur alone is really cool because it tells us something about what the environment was like in the ancient Arctic.

"But what makes this discovery even more exciting is that Nanuqsaurus hoglundi also tells us about the biological richness of the ancient polar world during a time when the Earth was very warm compared to today."