{"id":1840,"date":"2021-03-29T12:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T19:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/godzilla-vs-kong-a-functional-morphologist-uses-science-to-pick-a-winner\/"},"modified":"2024-05-28T15:51:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T22:51:46","slug":"king-kong-vs-godzilla-paleontologist-analyzes-who-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/king-kong-vs-godzilla-paleontologist-analyzes-who-wins\/","title":{"rendered":"Godzilla vs. Kong: A functional morphologist uses science to pick a winner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n            \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-3436-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-3436-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Godzilla vs. Kong: A functional morphologist uses science to pick a winner\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Hollywood has picked a winner, but what does the science say? (Image: <span class=\"attribution\"><a class=\"source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.warnerbros.com\/movies\/godzilla-vs-kong#gallery\">Courtesy of Warner Bros Entertainment<\/a>.)<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=social-impact\">Social Impact<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Godzilla vs. Kong: A functional morphologist uses science to pick a winner<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Real-world creatures such as dinosaurs and apes provide clues to who might win in the epic battle between two iconic, fantastical monsters. <strong>[6\u00bd min read]<\/strong>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Kiersten Formoso<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">March 29, 2021<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" 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cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>The 2021 film <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/video\/vi576962841?playlistId=tt5034838\">\u201cGodzilla vs. Kong\u201d<\/a> pits the two most iconic movie monsters of all time against each other. And fans are now picking sides.<\/p>\n<p>Even the most fantastical creatures have some basis in scientific reality, so the natural world is a good place to look to better understand movie monsters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.formorphology.com\/\">I study<\/a> functional morphology\u00a0\u2014 how skeletal and tissue traits allow animals to move\u00a0\u2014 and evolution in extinct animals. I am also a huge fan of monster movies. Ultimately, this is a fight between a giant reptile and a giant primate, and there are relative biological advantages and disadvantages that each would have. The research I do on morphology and biomechanics can tell us a lot about this battle and might help you decide\u00a0\u2014 #TeamGodzilla or #TeamKong?<\/p>\n<h2>Larger than life<\/h2>\n<p>First it\u2019s important to acknowledge that both Kong and Godzilla are definitely far beyond the realms of biological possibility. This is due to sheer size and the laws of physics. Their hearts couldn\u2019t pump blood to their heads, they would have temperature regulation problems and it would take too long for nerve signals from the brain to reach distant parts of the body\u00a0\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-movie-size-too-big-2019-5\">to name just a few issues<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, let\u2019s assume that somehow Godzilla and Kong are able to overcome these size limitations \u2013 perhaps because of their radiation exposure they have distinctive mutations and characteristics. Based on how they look on the big screen, let\u2019s explore the observable differences that might prove useful in a fight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/60t8Ztz87rM\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>Kong: the best of ape and man<\/h2>\n<p>At first glance, Kong is a colossal primate\u00a0\u2014 but he\u2019s not simply a giant gorilla.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most striking things about Kong is his upright, bipedal stance\u00a0\u2014 he mostly walks on two legs, unlike any other living nonhuman apes. This ability could suggest close evolutionary relationship to the only living upright ape, humans\u00a0\u2014 or his upright stance could be the result of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/terms\/convergent_evolution.htm\">convergent evolution<\/a>. Either way, like us, Kong has thick muscular legs geared toward walking and running, and large free arms with grasping hands, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jhevol.2012.04.001\">enabling him to use tools<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 362px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=900&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=900&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=900&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1131&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1131&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391533\/original\/file-20210324-17-9g6tvr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1131&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"An upright human skeleton next to a gorilla skeleton on all fours.\" width=\"362\" height=\"543\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kong has a mix of both gorilla and humanlike physical traits. (Image: Cliff\/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Humanity\u2019s bipedal, upright posture is unique in the animal kingdom and provides a slew of biomechanical abilities that Kong might share. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms9416\">human torsos are highly flexible<\/a> and particularly good at rotation. This feature\u00a0\u2014 in addition to our loose shoulder girdle\u00a0\u2014 makes <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-humans-became-the-best-throwers-on-the-planet-131189\">humans the best throwers<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rsbl.2007.0107\">the animal kingdom<\/a>. Throwing is helpful in a fight, and Kong could probably <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature12267\">throw with the best of them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"caption\">The tall ridge of bone on top of a gorilla\u2019s skull helps it bite with incredible force.<\/span><span class=\"attribution\"><a class=\"source\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gorilla_Male_perspective_5.jpg#\/media\/File:Gorilla_Male_perspective_5.jpg\">Didier Descouens\/Wikimedia Commons<\/a>, <a class=\"license\" href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Kong is also, of course, massive. He absolutely dwarfs the largest known primate, an extinct orangutan relative called <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ajpa.23150\"><em>Gigantopithecus<\/em><\/a> that was a bit bigger than modern gorillas.<\/p>\n<p>Kong does have many gorillalike attributes as well, including long muscular arms, a short snout with large canine teeth, and a tall sagittal crest \u2014 a ridge of bone on his head that would be the <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/joa.12609\">anchor point for some exceptionally strong jaw muscles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Strong, agile, comfortable on land and with the unparalleled ability to use tools and throw, Kong would be a brutal force in a fight.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 434px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=651&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=651&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=651&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=818&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=818&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391527\/original\/file-20210324-23-wyux78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=818&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"A comparison between an upright Godzilla and a horizontal Godzilla.\" width=\"434\" height=\"471\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Godzilla\u2019s upright posture is unique among lizards and dinosaurs. Figure depicts what he\u2019d look like with a dinosaur posture. Kenneth Carpenter\/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Godzilla: An aquatic lizard to be reckoned with<\/h2>\n<p>Godzilla appears to be a giant, semiaquatic reptile. Like Kong, Godzilla has the traits of a few different species.<\/p>\n<p>Recent Godzilla movies show him decently mobile on land, but seemingly much more comfortable in the water despite his lack of overt aquatic features. Interestingly, Godzilla is depicted with gills on his neck\u00a0\u2014 a trait that land vertebrates lost after <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/icb\/icm055\">they emerged from the sea about 370 million years ago<\/a>. Given Godzilla\u2019s terrestrial features, it\u2019s likely that his species has land-dwelling reptile ancestors and reevolved a mostly aquatic lifestyle\u00a0\u2014 kind of like <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rsbl.2005.0406\">sea turtles<\/a> or sea snakes, which can actually <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0300-9629(75)90387-4\">absorb oxygen through their skin<\/a> in water. Godzilla may have uniquely reevolved gills.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 393px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=240&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=240&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=240&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391846\/original\/file-20210325-19-1p3dr3u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"An image of a Tyrannosaurus rex showing large tail muscles connecting to the upper leg and hip.\" width=\"393\" height=\"157\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex had huge muscles that connect their powerful tails to their hips and upper legs. Dr. Scott Hartman, CC BY-ND<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Godzilla\u2019s tail is what really separates him from Kong. It is massive, and anchored and moved by <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ar.21290\">huge muscles attached to his legs, hips and lower back<\/a>. Dinosaurs like <em>Tyrannosaurus rex<\/em> stood horizontally and used their tails for balance and to help them walk and run. Godzilla, in contrast, stands vertically and keeps his tail low to the ground, probably for a different type of balance. This vertical posture is unique for a two-legged reptile and more <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rsbl.2014.0381\">resembles a standing kangaroo<\/a>. Godzilla stands on two muscular, pillarlike legs similar to those of a sauropod dinosaur. These would provide stability and help support his gargantuan mass but would also bolster the strength of his tail.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to his powerful tail, Godzilla carries three rows of sharp spikes going down his back, thick scaly skin, a relatively small head full of carnivorous teeth and free arms with grasping hands, all built onto a muscular body. Taken together, Godzilla is a terrifying and intimidating adversary.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 365px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=859&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=859&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=859&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1079&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1079&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/391561\/original\/file-20210324-19-jhyqtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1079&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"Godzilla shooting King Kong with his atomic breath from the 1962 film 'King Kong vs. Godzilla' \" width=\"365\" height=\"522\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kong is faster and could use tools, but Godzilla is stronger and has armored skin. Tim Simpson\/Flickr, CC BY-NC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ready, fight!<\/h2>\n<p>So now that we\u2019ve looked a little closer at how Godzilla and Kong are built, let\u2019s imagine who might emerge victorious in battle.<\/p>\n<p>Though Kong is a little bit smaller than Godzilla, both are more or less comparably massive in size and neither has a clear advantage here. So what about their fighting abilities?<\/p>\n<p>Godzilla would likely favor his robust tail for both offense and defense\u00a0\u2014 much like modern-day large lizards that <a href=\"https:\/\/royalsocietypublishing.org\/doi\/full\/10.1098\/rspb.2017.2299\">use their strong tails as whips<\/a>. Scale up that strength to Godzilla\u2019s size, and that tail becomes a lethal weapon\u00a0\u2014 which he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LO_utO644sk&amp;ab_channel=Gigan2004\">has used before<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Kong is more comfortable on land, faster and more agile, can use his strong legs to jump, and possesses much stronger arms than Godzilla\u00a0\u2014 Kong probably packs a walloping punch. And as an ape, Kong would also <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pbio.0030380\">likely use tools to some degree<\/a> and might even capitalize on his throwing ability.<\/p>\n<p>Both would have a gnarly bite, with Kong likely getting a slight advantage. However, Godzilla\u2019s bite is by no means weak, and all of his teeth are flesh-piercing, similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jmbbm.2019.05.025\">crocodile<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1666\/0094-8373-35.4.525\">monitor lizard<\/a> teeth.<\/p>\n<p>On defense, Godzilla has the edge, with thick scaly skin and sharp spikes. He might even act like a porcupine, turning his back to a rapidly approaching threat. However, Kong\u2019s superior agility on land should be able to offer him some protection as well.<\/p>\n<p>I will admit I am #TeamGodzilla, but it\u2019s very close. I may give a slight edge to Kong in broad terrestrial battle ability, but Godzilla\u2019s general mass, defense and tail would be hard to overpower. And lest we forget, the tipping point for Godzilla is that he has atomic breath! Until researchers find evidence of a dinosaur or animal with something like that, though, I will have to reserve my scientific judgment.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of who emerges victorious, this battle will be one for the ages, and I am excited as both a scientist and monster movie fan.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/157101\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/kiersten-formoso-1218031\">Kiersten Formoso<\/a>, PhD Student in Vertebrate Paleomorphology, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/usc-dornsife-college-of-letters-arts-and-sciences-2669\">USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/godzilla-vs-kong-a-functional-morphologist-uses-science-to-pick-a-winner-157101\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real-world creatures such as dinosaurs and apes provide clues to who might win in the epic battle between two iconic, fantastical monsters. <strong>[6\u00bd min read]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":1843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,17],"tags":[159,484,166],"class_list":["post-1840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-impact","category-student","tag-earth-sciences","tag-movies","tag-paleontology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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