Was Tyrannosaurus Rex really mean?

When reading the children’s stories the other day, I noticed that the children always talked about carnivores as mean and herbivores as nice even when they were gouging with their horns and beating with their clubs. So I wanted to as they children why they thought T-Rex was mean.

Ashtyn: Yes he is mean because he kills other dinosaurs.

Thomas: He is mean because he kills other dinosaurs to take to his home for his babies.

Kyla: Mean, he tries to eat other dinosaurs.

Zoe: He is mean, he tries to eat other dinosaurs and he runs fast to catch other dinosaurs.

Bradley: Who made dinosaurs anyway? Maybe god was alive back then?

?: He’s alive now.

Shaun: No, he’s dead. He’s in heaven and only dead people live in heaven.

Harriet: He’s mean because he roars loud and bites other dinosaurs.

Quinn: He’s mean because his favourite food is Triceratops.

Lucia: He’s mean because he eats other nice dinosaurs.

Miss B: What are T-Rexs special features?

Molly : Big legs to run fast.

Lucia: Sharp teeth for ripping

Gabriella: Sharp claws for grabbing.

Miss B: So what are they designed to do?

Eat meat, catch dinosaurs etc.

We discussed the fact that he wasn’t made for eating plants and that he would die if he didn’t eat meat, their was a side discussion on the fact that he could live on water alone but this was quickly dispelled.

Miss B: So you think because he eats meat he is mean?

Unanimous yes

Miss B: So do you eat meat? Do your dog and cat eat meat? Are you mean? Are they mean?

Unanimous No

Miss B: So you buy your meat from the supermarket instead of chasing it, could T-Rex do that?

Unanimous No

Ashtyn: So the world was the shop and the animals were the food.

Matt: They’re not mean they just needed food.

Gabriella: I eat both.

Miss B: So you are an omnivore.