Review of Triceratops Dinosaur Model (Safari Ltd)

Dinosaur model collectors have been rather spoilt for choice when it comes to acquiring replicas of the horned dinosaur known as Triceratops, most model manufacturers have included at least one within their ranges.  The Triceratops in the Carnegie Collectibles range, manufactured by Safari Ltd is one of the most colourful.  This Triceratops dinosaur model is depicted charging and its bright orange and yellow frill markings make this particular Triceratops model very striking indeed.

The Carnegie Collectibles Triceratops

A colourful “Three-horned Face” replica.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Triceratops Dinosaur Model

The Carnegie Collectibles Triceratops is actually one of two models of this dinosaur within the Carnegie range marketed by Safari Ltd.  It was introduced some years ago as a replacement for an older, less dramatically coloured Triceratops model that is due to be phased out.  Both of these dinosaur models are in 1:45 scale, although the more colourful interpretation of this Late Cretaceous herbivore is slightly longer, measuring a fraction under nineteen centimetres in length.

As well as its vivid pose, depicting this horned dinosaur charging with its huge mouth open as if it is bellowing at some imaginary predator, this model is notable for its colouration.  The top of the bony frill that adorns the back of this huge dinosaur’s skull is painted with splashes of bright orange and yellow.  The flanks also have bright orange and red patches.  Palaeontologists believe that visual signals were very important to these dinosaurs.  The bright colours on this Triceratops would have made a stunning visual display, perhaps enough to frighten away the most determined Tyrannosaurus rex that saw this seven tonne, plant-eater as potential prey.  Safari Ltd are to be congratulated for making one of the first really bright and colourful Triceratops models, most others made at the time depicted these horned dinosaurs as animals that were many sandy brown or elephant grey.

Striking Colours on the Triceratops Replica from Safari Ltd

A charging Triceratops with a colourful display.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Interestingly, this Triceratops model has the correct number of digits depicted on its legs.  The front legs had five digits, whereas the back legs only had four.  This detail is often overlooked in other replicas but all the models in the Carnegie scale model dinosaur collectibles range are approved by palaeontologists at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, USA), so the replicas do reflect the very latest scientific thinking.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s models including Safari Ltd replicas: Safari Ltd Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animals.

All in all, this an attractive Triceratops dinosaur model, one that will continue to be popular member of the Carnegie range.  It will continue to delight dinosaur model collectors for many years to come.