2012 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

19 03, 2012

The New Mapusaurus Makes Its Mark

By Mike|2024-04-22T14:12:31+01:00March 19th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|4 Comments

CollectA Mapusaurus Dinosaur Model

Originally thought to be a new discovery of G. carolini fossil remains, Mapusaurus (M. roseae) has struggled to get out from under the shadow of its larger, theropod cousin, however, a Mapusaurus model has been added to the CollectA model range and this large carcharodontosaurid can take its place alongside other meat-eater replicas. A CollectA Mapusaurus has been added to the Prehistoric Life model range.

Mapusaurus

Members of a joint Argentinian/Canadian scientific expedition discovered the remains of a gigantic meat-eating dinosaur in exposed rocks forming part of the Huincul Formation of central Argentina in 1997. Subsequent excavations over the next four years uncovered the remains of at least seven theropod dinosaurs, representing fully grown individuals as well as immature specimens. The excitement over the discovery and naming of the giant, carnivorous dinosaur Giganotosaurus which had been found in the same part of Argentina just a few years before, had hardly died down when these new fossils were found. Initially, thought to be fossils of Giganotosaurus, a rigorous and thorough analysis of the skull material confirmed that this was a new meat-eating dinosaur discovery. Mapusaurus roseae was formally named and described by Rodolfo Coria and Phil Currie in 2006.

CollectA Mapusaurus

It is very exciting to see such a recently named and described dinosaur being featured in a model range. However, given the extensive fossil material ascribed to this species, much more than most large theropods it is no surprise. Mapusaurus was certainly an impressive animal, perhaps getting on for forty feet in length and weighing in at a hefty five/six tonnes, this dinosaur was an apex predator capable of bringing down the largest prey – even the mighty Argentinosaurus if enough of these meat-eaters attacked the same animal.

A Picture of the New CollectA Mapusaurus Model (CollectA Dinosaurs)

“Rose’s Earth Reptile” – Mapusaurus – a model of this South American theropod dinosaur.

The long, narrow snout of Mapusaurus (pronounced “mah-pus-sore-us”), distinguishes this meat-eating dinosaur from other super predators such as the later abelisaurids and tyrannosaurs.

Model Measurements

Measuring an impressive twenty-five centimetres in length and with a head held seven centimetres off the ground, this is one of the larger not-to-scale models currently offered by CollectA. The model is painted a light green with darker stripes running from the backbone down the flanks and the hind limbs. There is a splash of contrasting red on the snout and highlighting the two small crests that are placed directly over the eyes. This dinosaur is posed with its mouth open and the small, fine teeth have been painted in well. This model has been given a thick, muscular neck, not the typical “S” shaped neck of an allosaurid model. This feature when combined with the thick and heavy tail, tends to make the model look rather stiff.

The short arms are well depicted and collectors will be pleased to see that the three-fingered hands with their claws have been skilfully moulded by the design team. Running along the spine there is a small, spiky crest that helps to give this dinosaur model a fearsome appearance.

Model collectors and dinosaur fans will appreciate the work that has gone into creating this replica. Perhaps a Carcharodontosaurus is on the cards for next year. Would you want a Carcharodontosaurus replica?

To view Everything Dinosaur’s dinosaur models currently in stock, including the CollectA model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models – Age of Dinosaurs.

18 03, 2012

Mother’s Day – Maiasaura and Marsh (Happy Mother’s Day)

By Mike|2024-04-23T06:55:44+01:00March 18th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Famous Figures|0 Comments

Remembering “Good Mother Lizard” and Charles Othniel Marsh (1831 -1899)

Today is “Mother’s Day” a day celebrating mums around the world, otherwise known as “Mothering Sunday” not every country recognises this day as a special day for mums. For example, in Australia, “Mothers Day” is celebrated sometime in May we think, but it gives us an excuse to write about one of our favourite ornithopods – Maiasaura. Today also marks the anniversary of the death of one of the most influential palaeontologists of the 19th century – Charles Othniel Marsh.

Maiasaura

Maiasaura was a large, flat-headed duck-billed dinosaur that lived in North America. It is a member of the Ornithopoda. The first fossils of this dinosaur were discovered in the Badlands of Montana thirty-four years ago by a team of American scientists led by palaeontologist Jack Horner. The site the team uncovered consisted of a number of dinosaur nests, eggs, baby Maiasaura, adults and juveniles. The location was renamed “Egg Mountain” and represents the fossilised remains of a Maiasaura nesting site. More than two-hundred individual specimens have been excavated, providing scientists with evidence of the nesting behaviour of dinosaurs. Maiasaura was formally named and described by Jack Horner and Robert Makela. The name means “Good Mother Lizard” and in contrast with most of the Dinosauria, it takes the female form of the Latin term for lizard – saura.

An Illustration of a Maiasaura and her Nest

“Good Mother Lizard”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Careful study of the fossils found on “Egg Mountain” led to some intriguing insights into ornithopod nesting behaviour. For example, many of the baby Maiasaura were clearly too large to be newly hatched, but they were evidently still living in the nest. The conclusion made was that these dinosaurs stayed in the nest whilst the parents or a parent looked after them, bringing them food. Some scientists have postulated that Maiasaura were strongly social creatures, living in large herds.

Charles Othniel. Marsh, no doubt would have been fascinated by the fossils of Maisaura. This pioneer of palaeontology passed away on March 18th 1899. This American palaeontologist; who organised and led many expeditions to the newly opened up western United States; named and described at least twenty-five dinosaur genera, famous dinosaurs such as Apatosaurus and Allosaurus as well as a huge number of other prehistoric animals.

Appointed professor of palaeontology at Yale University in 1860, he persuaded his uncle George Peabody to establish the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale and he helped build up an extensive fossil collection.

So on Mothers Day we remember “Good Mother Lizard” and one of the founding fathers of the modern science of palaeontology.

For models of Maiasaura and other ornithopods (whilst stocks last): Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figures.

17 03, 2012

Creative Dinosaur Birthday Cake for a Special Event

By Mike|2024-04-23T06:58:41+01:00March 17th, 2012|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Press Releases|0 Comments

Wonderful Dinosaur Birthday Cake for a Special Young Palaeontologist

At Everything Dinosaur we are in awe of Mrs Babar, who created a wonderful dinosaur birthday cake for a special, young dinosaur fan who was celebrating a fourth birthday. We are constantly amazed at how clever and creative our customers are when it comes to making cakes, biscuits and other goodies. Mrs Babar contacted us to ask advice about how to decorate her creation, our team members were happy to provide what advice they could, after all, everyone of us has had a go at making biscuits and cakes from the recipes that we have written and posted up on the Everything Dinosaur website. Some of our efforts we thought were good, but Mrs Babar’s Mesozoic masterpiece really takes the biscuit.

Wonderful Dinosaur Themed Birthday Cake

Cretaceous and creative cakes.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Samina Babar

Creating a birthday cake can be a daunting task, but we would encourage people to have a go, we have even surprised ourselves with our kitchen capabilities and we have devised one or two recipes under the intriguing titles of “Trilobite Treats” and “Dinosaur Nests” but we take our hard-hats off to Samina for this beautiful birthday cake. Of course, there are always professionals like Samina on hand to help make your special event really memorable.

Mrs Babar, contacted Everything Dinosaur requesting some advice on the prehistoric animal models that we sell as cake toppers. Our knowledgeable staff were able to provide information regarding the size of the models and to respond to her request for dinosaurs that would work well with her chosen colour scheme for the icing.

Of course, we had to cater for the demands of the 4-year-old as well, we had to choose dinosaur models that the young palaeontologist would recognise, we emailed Mrs Babar with the following:

“As promised, myself and my colleagues have gone into the warehouse and found you five dinosaur models as you requested;

Dinosaurs Selected for You

T. rex – sandy coloured

Stegosaurus – green with red/brown plates

Ankylosaurus – green and light blue

Spinosaurus – orange

Iguanodon – pink/purple”

Team members do try to help where they can and selecting dinosaurs for a birthday cake is all in a day’s work for our dinosaur experts and teachers.

Birthday Cake with Dinosaurs Around a Watering Hole

Dinosaurs around a watering hole.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Samina Babar

Samina used different coloured icing to create her own dinosaur themed scene. The five prehistoric animals have gathered around a watering hole, the addition of the models and a few plastic trees makes a super dinosaur birthday cake design and if we overlook the mix of Jurassic/Cretaceous creatures for a moment and consider how animals behave today, it is very likely that dinosaurs did congregate around sources of water, especially in dry seasons.

Water would have attracted herbivores and with a large amount of prey in the area, the predatory dinosaurs would have followed. Indeed, team members have observed lions attacking zebra as they congregate around a watering hole to get a drink. Perhaps, tyrannosaurs also attacked horned dinosaurs as they gathered to quench their thirsts.

There is even a special term used by palaeontologists to describe the churned up sediments that are preserved in the geological record that indicate an area has been trampled by dinosaurs. These areas occur most frequently in strata that suggest that water was nearby – the term used to describe the churning up of ground due to the activity of dinosaurs is “dinoturbation”.

Lovely, icing and a very thoughtful design, it is always a pleasure to see how Everything Dinosaur’s products are used by our customers. We get a lot of information sent into us about how well our dinosaur party items were received by young dinosaur fans attending a dinosaur party.

Based in the UK, Samina creates breathtakingly beautiful cakes whether they are required for weddings, events or even birthday cakes for a dinosaur mad 4-year-old. Once again we congratulate Mrs Babar on her creative use of dinosaur models.

For dinosaur models, toys and games visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Dinosaur Models, Toys and Games.

16 03, 2012

Papo Brown T. rex Standing Figure Now Available

By Mike|2023-01-29T07:05:42+00:00March 16th, 2012|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|6 Comments

New Papo Re-painted T. rex (Brown Version)

The Brown coloured variant of the Papo standing T. rex figure is now available from Everything Dinosaur. This re-painted figure will replace the green Tyrannosaurus rex model produced by Papo. Papo had proposed doing what they term a “running change” – selling out of the green version before introducing the new brown model T. rex. At Everything Dinosaur, our close working relationship with Papo has enabled us to be amongst the first in this part of the world to offer this re-painted model.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Papo models: Papo Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Replicas.

The Papo “Brown” T. rex Dinosaur Model

Papo brown T. rex model.

Papo Standing T. rex Figure

The model has the same articulated jaws as the original green version that it will eventually replace. A straw poll taken amongst Everything Dinosaur team members this evening suggests that this brown version looks more ferocious! It is a very welcome, new addition to the excellent Papo “Les Dinosaures” model range.

16 03, 2012

A Review of the CollectA Dead Triceratops Model

By Mike|2023-01-29T07:03:13+00:00March 16th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Product Reviews|2 Comments

CollectA Provide Realistic Model of a Dead Triceratops

Triceratops may be one of the best known dinosaurs. Certainly, it is true that no dinosaur enthusiast’s model collection can be said to be complete without one or two horned dinosaurs, but CollectA have broken the mould (no pun intended) with the introduction of a new CollectA Triceratops replica but one that represents a dead dinosaur, a corpse that is being scavenged by a meat-eater.

Model collectors can now have a dead Triceratops to use when creating their own prehistoric scenes, the model itself is very cleverly designed, on the reverse, the side that is placed downwards, there are no signs of injury to the beast. However, on the other side, the side that faces upwards there are deep wounds and cuts present indications that this herbivore was attacked by a large predatory dinosaur, the implication being that it is a Tyrannosaurus rex.

The CollectA Dino Prey – Dead Triceratops

A dinner for a T. rex?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Triceratops Replica

The model measures eighteen centimetres long approximately and it is beautifully painted. The neck shield is black with white patches and the body is mostly light brown, with a slightly lighter underside. Running along the spine there is a darker band and over the rump the model makers have added a small crest of bristles. Recent research has suggested that some of these ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs) had bristles running down their backs, a characteristic seen in more primitive, basal forms of this dinosaur clade – the psittacosaurs for example.

Now for the gory bits, the evidence of predation, the way in which the model gives the impression that this poor Triceratops has been attacked by a Tyrannosaurus rex. Firstly on the right side of the neck frill there is a red coloured “U” shape. The model makers have tried to give the impression that this is the bite mark of a tyrannosaur. The fossil record provides evidence that T. rex did indeed attack the frill of Triceratops. Whether or not these bite marks are the result of a predator attacking its prey, or whether they are evidence of feeding on a carcase is still debated by palaeontologists. Our Triceratops corpse has more wounds along the jaw and the throat. If this Triceratops had been attacked by a T. rex, then it could be speculated that the throat bites were the fatal bites. Lovely detail on the model, even the pink tongue is lolling to the side of the mouth.

There is a large bite mark at the base of the tail, this could have been inflicted during the attack or it could be evidence of post-mortem feeding. The body cavity has been partially opened with the ribs and part of the digestive tract visible. In reality, many carnivores today, target the soft stomach area of their prey as this permits access to the highly nutritious organs such as the liver and provides the carnivore with an opportunity to open up the carcase permitting the consumption of as much meat as possible in a short time.

The Inspiration behind the new Triceratops Model

The inspiration behind the CollectA Dino Prey – Dead Triceratops?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

There are also deep wounds to be seen on the top of the thigh, perhaps where a T. rex raked its prey as it was down with its strong hind legs, each foot armed with three powerful, forward facing claws.

This is certainly a thoughtfully crafted replica, one that will allow dinosaur scenes to have a sense of extra realism. Model makers can now pose a Tyrannosaurus rex model standing over its Triceratops kill.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s model range that includes replicas of prehistoric animal carcases and corpses: CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Models and Figures.

15 03, 2012

Stone Age Remains from South China may be Entirely New Human Species

By Mike|2023-01-28T18:40:29+00:00March 15th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Who were the Red Deer People?

A paper published in the online scientific journal PLoS One (public library of science) details the discovery and analysis of ancient human remains which may provide evidence that south-western China was once populated by an ancient species of hominids, a species that is entirely new to science.

The Red Deer People

An international team of researchers including scientists from the University of New South Wales (Australia) have been analysing the fragmentary fossil remains of ancient humans, their studies show that these humans have a mix of both modern and ancient traits. They could be the last vestiges of a hominid that survived to the Pleistocene/Holocene transition or perhaps evidence that our own species interbreed with more ancient hominids on arrival in Asia. Dating work including analysis of charcoal deposits left by the cave people as they cooked their food suggest that the fossils are between 14,300 and 11,500 years old – very recent in terms of the geological record.

Team co-leader Darren Curnoe, of the University of New South Wales, commented that the physical appearance of these extinct people was unique, like nothing seen in the Asian hominid record to date.

He stated:

”They look very different to all modern humans, whether alive today or in Africa 150,000 years ago.”

Skeletal Evidence

Skeletal evidence and the results of DNA analysis indicate that our species evolved in Africa before migrating and populating every continent. It is thought that modern humans migrated into Asia across the Arabian peninsula something like 60,000 years ago. Evidence from early H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis sites is open to a number of interpretations as the archaeological record suggests a complex migration pattern with groups of modern humans and Neanderthals moving in and out of the region in response to changing climate. The Tibetan plateau may have acted as a natural barrier permitting an ancient hominid species that may have migrated through the Indian sub-continent and eventually present in south-west China to remain excluded from the incursions of more modern species.

Pleistocene aged human fossils are rare in East Asia. Finds are very scarce but a number of discoveries in south-western China are helping to document the history of human migration into that part of the continent. This international team, studied a partial skull which was carefully extracted from a block of sediment collected in 1979 from the Longlin Cave (Guangxi Province). Although the fossil had been found nearly 35 years ago, it had not been properly studied. This specimen was compared to other human remains found at a cave known as the “Red Deer Cave” due to the number of fossil deer bones found (Maludong, Yunnan Province), mostly fragmentary specimens but as yet undescribed human bones. The bones found at these different locations suggest that they represent a single population, one type of people with a mixture of ancient and modern anatomical characteristics.

The Partial Human Skull (Longlin Cave)

The flattened facial features can be clearly made out.

Picture credit: PLoS One/Curnoe et al.

The prehistoric people had short, flat faces with ancient features reminiscent of H. heidelbergensis such as thick skull bones and big teeth but brains with modern-looking frontal lobes. Known as the “Red Deer People” due to their apparent reliance on an extinct species of deer for food, these humans are the youngest people in terms of geological age, found to date that do not resemble our own human species.

Two Possible Explanations

The research team have put forward two possible explanations for the existence of this unknown human species in this region. Firstly, they could be modern humans (H. sapiens) that migrated out of Africa very early and reached China independently of other human migrations out of Africa. Once in China these people did not contribute genetically to people living in East Asia today.

Secondly, the fossil material could represent an unknown species of hominid, deer hunting, venison eating people who lived at a time when our own species was adopting a more sedentary existence rather than the hunter/gatherer way of life, with the development of agriculture.

Although cautious, Professor Curnoe favours the new human species theory, he stated:

”While finely balanced, I think the evidence is slightly weighted towards the Red Deer Cave people representing a new evolutionary line.”

The find follows the discoveries of two new human species in Asia, dubbed “the Hobbit”, (H. floresiensis) due to their small size and the Denisovans, in the last decade or so. The Indonesian island of Flores was home to a diminutive species of hominid up until approximately 13,000 years ago.

To read more about the Denisovans: X-woman Competing with Modern Humans and Neanderthals.

The discovery team, co-led by Professor Curnoe and Professor Ji Xueping, of Yunnan University in Kunming, includes researchers from five Australian and six Chinese institutions. This work is invaluable in helping archaeologists and palaeontologists to piece together the human family tree.

The scientific paper: “Human Remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition of Southwest China Suggest a Complex Evolutionary History for East Asians” by Curnoe et al published in PLoS One.

For models and replicas of Neanderthals: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

14 03, 2012

A Review of the CollectA Utahceratops

By Mike|2023-01-28T18:37:01+00:00March 14th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Product Reviews|0 Comments

CollectA Utahceratops in Review

Horned dinosaur models are a bit like buses, you wait ages for one to come along and then several arrive altogether. This is certainly the way with CollectA and the new CollectA Utahceratops model. Hot on the heels of the Kosmoceratops model release comes this new replica of a ceratopsian. It is apt that these two dinosaurs should be reviewed in close proximity as both these dinosaurs were found in the same rock strata – Kaiparowits Formation in Utah (United States) and they co-existed all those years ago in the Late Cretaceous.

CollectA Utahceratops Model

Utahceratops, (yet another dinosaur named after the state of Utah), that’s at least two that we can recall, the other being Utahraptor, was bigger than Kosmoceratops. Scientists estimate that this horned dinosaur was around seven metres long when fully grown and it would have weighed as much as an Indian elephant. This dinosaur is known from at least six individual specimens, including two partial skulls which when combined provide palaeontologists with an almost complete skull to study. Like its contemporary, Kosmoceratops, this dinosaur was named and described in 2010.

The CollectA Utahceratops Dinosaur Model (Collecta Dinosaurs)

CollectA Utahceratops dinosaur figure.

Utahceratops Model Measurements

The model measures a fraction over twelve centimetres in length and the first impression is of the use of muted colours in the painting of the replica. It is noted that the actual model has a different finish than the original pre-release publicity photographs of the replica. In the earlier photographs the pattern on the extensive neck frill of Utahceratops was highlighted and brighter colours were used for the paintwork. The model has a more muted tone, and this makes it look more realistic.

The unusual facial horns are well depicted. The two larger horns, placed over the eyes point out sideways as revealed by the fossil evidence. A crest just below each horn and directly above the eye has been painted a contrasting red colour by the designers. The rest of the model is painted a light, sandy brown colour with a darker pigment used to mark out patterns on the large neck frill. Along the limbs and across the flanks the model makers have added one or two lighter stripes, a subtle use of colour on the replica dinosaur figure.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s model range including the CollectA “Prehistoric Life” models and figures: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models and Figures.

As with all CollectA figures the detail is exceptional and we loved the finishing touch of the slight kink to the very end of the dinosaur’s tail, as if it was about to swish it. It is interesting to note that with the plethora of horned dinosaurs being added to the CollectA range, war gamers and other role game players have been keen to get hold of these replicas to add to their fantasy model collections. It seems that these beautiful, many horned dinosaurs are proving popular additions to the models used by fantasy war game hobbyists.

It is always a pleasure to see a new horned dinosaur figure and this Utahceratops keeps up the high standards set by CollectA.

13 03, 2012

A Review of the CollectA Kosmoceratops Model

By Mike|2023-01-28T18:34:51+00:00March 13th, 2012|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|0 Comments

“Ornate Horned Dinosaur” Kosmoceratops gets Reviewed

With the discovery of so many new horned dinosaurs over the last three years or so, model manufacturers have had a job catching up. However, with the introduction of the CollectA Kosmoceratops model, it seems that dinosaur models are once again the focus of attention.

CollectA Kosmoceratops Model

Kosmoceratops was formally named and described in 2010. Its fossils have been found in Utah (United States), it shared its wooded, semi-arid environment with an even larger ceratopsian known as Utahceratops. Both these dinosaurs lived at the end of the Cretaceous period. Although the neck shield and the skull is smaller when compared to later members of this group, such as the famous horned dinosaur Triceratops, Kosmoceratops had the most ornate and decorated known. There were at least fifteen horns or horn-like structures adorning the skull and neck crest. Scott Richardson, an amateur fossil hunter, helping to map the geology of Utah discovered the first fossils of this dinosaur in 2006. Further discoveries followed including an almost complete skull, ribs, vertebrae and elements of the pelvic girdle.

The CollectA Kosmoceratops Dinosaur Model

A dinosaur that was a bit of a show off.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The large brow horns stick out to the side, an unusual feature for a horned dinosaur, most of these creatures had horns that faced forwards. It is unknown what functions these horns and the elaborate frill performed, perhaps they were used in ritual combat with other members of the herd to for a display device.

The CollectA Kosmoceratops model measures a little over 12 centimetres in length. It has been estimated that a fully grown Kosmoceratops would have exceeded 4.5 metres in length. This gives an approximate scale to this model of 1:360.

A Colourful Dinosaur Frill

The texture of the skin is quite rough, giving the impression of large body scales. The frill is painted a dark green colour with the individual horns and bumps on the skull highlighted in a contrasting red hue. The model makers have obviously sided with those scientists who believe that the ornate frill on Kosmoceratops was some sort of signalling device. The majority of the model is painted in a green tint, with a lighter underside and generally becoming less dark towards the tail. This Kosmoceratops replica has a quite stocky appearance, building on the scientific evidence from the fossilised pelvic bones and sturdy backbones that have been found.

This model shows lots of fine detail and it is bound to be popular amongst dinosaur fans and specialist model collectors who want to be kept up to date with the latest dinosaur discoveries.

To view the new CollectA model range: The CollectA Prehistoric Life Model Range.

13 03, 2012

New CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models Have Arrived

By Mike|2023-01-28T18:32:29+00:00March 13th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

First of the New CollectA 2012 Models

Late last night there was a special delivery at the Everything Dinosaur warehouse, the first of the new CollectA prehistoric animal models arrived. Team members busied themselves unpacking all the boxes and by the end of the night Utahceratops, Kosmoceratops, Neanderthal figures, Hypsilophodon family group and even a dead Triceratops had been added to Everything Dinosaurs product range.

The Neanderthal Figures from CollectA

New Neanderthal Models from CollectA (CollectA Age of Dinosaurs/Prehistoric Life models).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The New Dead Triceratops Model (CollectA Dinosaurs)

A meal for a T. rex.

The Dino Prey – Dead Triceratops is the first carcase of a dinosaur made specifically for this type of market. It adds extra realism to model sets and like the rest of this new model range it is very well made and painted. The carcase is supposed to have been the remains of a T. rex kill, or did T. rex merely scavenge the corpse of a dead ceratopsian that it has sniffed out with its powerful sense of smell?

Amongst the new additions now available from Everything Dinosaur is the Miragaia Stegosaurus model as well as the Dolichorhnychops marine reptile model, even a fearsome Mapusaurus (Mapusaurus roseae).

To view the models available from Everything Dinosaur in the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs/Prehistoric Life model series: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

The New Additions to the Everything Dinosaur Range

New CollectA Models now in stock.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

12 03, 2012

Low Tides Attract Fossil Hunters to the Coast

By Mike|2024-04-23T06:56:30+01:00March 12th, 2012|Categories: Educational Activities, Geology|0 Comments

Low Tides and Longer Days Bring Out the Fossil Hunters

Spring is in the air, it is time to dust off the overalls, get out the geological hammers, the sturdy boots, the safety goggles and the trusty high visibility clothing and to once again indulge in the hobby of fossil collecting. At this time of year, the weather is getting a little milder, the worst of the winter storms are over and the bad weather will have eroded more exciting finds out of cliffs and onto beaches, making fossils much easier to obtain, and the low tides will attract many fossil hunters.

Fossil Hunters

Beaches can be a great place to find fossils. Wave action exposes fossils on the shoreline and helps to erode rocks and fossils out of any overhanging cliffs. Many exciting finds, even dinosaurs have been found after a careful examination of the rocks on the shore.

In particular, spring tides can be a blessing for any keen fossil hunter. Spring tides occur just after a new and full moon and they mark the greatest difference between high and low water. It is the very low tides that can make the difference allowing fossil hunters to access parts of the shoreline not normally exposed. The high tides can have an effect of scouring the beach, especially if there are plenty of pebbles and gravel available. The low tide/high tide combination can expose new fossil bearing rocks and permit some exciting finds to be made.

Time for some Fossil Hunting

*Avoid cliff edges as rock falls may be likely.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Naturally, precautions should be taken. For a modest investment, a local tide timetable can be purchased. This provides invaluable information in the form of a set of tables, usually broken down into calendar months that show the time of the low tide and the time of the high tide for any given day. Armed with this knowledge, you can venture onto the beach and exploit the shoreline at the low tide, whilst remaining confident that you will not put yourself into harm’s way with a rising tide, threatening to cut you off.

Sensible Precautions

Another sensible precaution before venturing onto the beach to look for fossils is to let someone know what time you will be expected back. A mobile phone is useful in case you need to change you plans in mid trip, but it is still good advice to inform someone as to when you are likely to return. If it is possible, bring a friend along to help you search. This is much safer than venturing out onto the beach or around the bottom of cliffs on your own. Two pairs of eyes are better than one when it comes to looking for fossils and it is always useful to have an extra pair of hands to help you carry your discoveries back home.

At low tide parts of the seabed not normally exposed to the air are available for you to explore. After the winter storms, some large rocks may have been washed a long way down the beach and into the far reaches of the tidal zone. This can lead to some interesting finds, especially if you are amongst the first to venture out. It is also fascinating to see the beach at this time of year, in the early morning light it can look quite atmospheric and even though you may have visited the location on numerous occasions a low tide can make even the most mundane of beach views look entirely different.

A View of the Beach at Low Tide (Dorset, England)

Lyme Regis at low tide. — *Good idea to go fossil collecting on a falling tide and to keep away from the steep cliffs.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

When exploring the top of the beach, near to the cliff bottoms, it is best to be cautious and to look out for any signs of a potential rock fall. Sometimes, speaking to locals can give fossil hunters an idea of how dangerous any cliffs might be and the frequency of land slips and rock falls. If warning signs have been posted up then they are there for a very good reason and they must be heeded at all times.

Fossils can be found on many parts of Britain’s coastline. A geological map will provide information on the age of rocks and indications as to whether or not they are likely to contain fossils. There are many excellent guides that can be purchased for a small fee and plenty of other information resources available both on-line and off-line. To get the most out of any visit to a beach to search for fossils it is best to do some reading and research before hand.

For models and replicas of iconic animals from the fossil record such as ammonites, ichthyosaurs and belemnites: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

Unfortunately, the weather cannot be guaranteed, so it is always a good idea take some waterproof clothing, there is nothing more frustrating than having to abandon a fossil hunting trip because rain gear was forgotten and the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Sensible shoes are a must, even on the driest and sunniest of days. A decent pair of walking boots is a sound investment for anyone with an interest in fossil collecting, alternatively, stout wellington boots can be worn.

For further information and advice about fossil hunting: Email Everything Dinosaur.

When searching for fossils on a low tide, it is worth remembering that many of the exposed rocks on the beach will be covered by seaweed, this can be extremely slippy and great care must be taken when traversing rocky areas. A strong walking stick can be of assistance as can a rucksack as keeping things in a back pack enables you to have your hands free to help with clambering over any particularly large obstacles.

Fossil Hunting

If a geology hammer is to be used, perhaps to crack open a nodule searching for ammonites or such like, it is a very sensible precaution to slip on a pair of safety goggles. Rock shards and other debris could fly up as you strike the surface of the rock and the goggles help protect your eyes. It is certainly well worth while cracking a few nodules on certain beaches, such as those public beaches in Dorset that make up part of southern England’s Jurassic coast. Many of these large nodules contain ammonite fossils and if you are lucky you might be able to find your own ammonite specimen.

At Low Tide Ammonites Appear

*Crack open a rock nodule and you never know.*

Picture credit: Brandon Lennon

The above picture shows a super ammonite – Asteroceras confusum found by Lyme Regis fossil expert Brandon Lennon. A superb specimen collected at low tide.

With fossil hunting a few hours on the beach can result in some amazing and fascinating additions to your fossil collection. To get the very best out of the spring low tides, we suggest you find out if there is a local fossil expert who conducts organised trips, let an expert take you on a fossil walk and help you to discover some truly fascinating natural wonders.

To read more about guided fossil walks around Lyme Regis: Guided Fossil Walks with Brandon Lennon.