All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
14 11, 2014

More New Prehistoric Animal Models from Schleich (2015)

By |2023-03-17T17:58:00+00:00November 14th, 2014|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products|2 Comments

New Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models Added to World of History Range

Two more large dinosaurs will be added to the World of History model range in July 2015.  New versions of the fierce meat-eaters Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus are being added to this Schleich model series.  The World of History model range next year is going to feature a lot of carnivores.

Orange Giganotosaurus from Schleich

With articulated jaw.

With an articulated jaw.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

Measuring around twenty centimetres in length, this is a beautifully painted Giganotosaurus and it has been given a very interesting pose, with its left leg raised as if this dinosaur is just about to take a step.  As it moves forward, it is balancing on its tail.

Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models

In addition to the fearsome Giganotosaurus, Schleich will be introducing another version of Spinosaurus to their model series.  Just like the orange Giganotosaurus, the Spinosaurus has been vividly painted and it too, will feature an articulated lower jaw.  The Spinosaurus is painted very brightly, in a beautiful violet colour.  Both these models will be available from Everything Dinosaur in July 2015.

Violet Spinosaurus from Schleich

Beautiful Spinosaurus dinosaur model from Schleich.

Beautiful Spinosaurus dinosaur model from Schleich.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Spinosaurus

Intriguingly, the Spinosaurus dinosaur model is posed in a quadrupedal stance.  This position, that of a carnivorous dinosaur walking on all fours, has recently found favour again after a scientific paper was published that, having reviewed the known Spinosaurus genus fossil material, suggested that this large dinosaur was semi-aquatic and was not capable of walking in a bipedal position.

To read an article on the Spinosaurus research: Spinosaurus – Four Legs Are Better Than Two.

With these two new additions (due out in July 2015), the Schleich World of History model range will grow to a total of twenty models.  Eleven of these models will represent theropod dinosaurs.

The popular small dinosaurs range is being retired and replaced with a brand new range of six dinosaurs.  These models will also be available around July of next year.  This new range is also theropod heavy, with only Triceratops (an ornithischian dinosaur) a non-theropod.

Colourful Prehistoric Animal Models

Once again these models are very colourful and they range in size from a fraction under seven centimetres in length to around twelve centimetres long.

New for Summer 2015 Schleich Small Dinosaurs Range

A new range of colourful dinosaur models.

A new range of colourful dinosaur models.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

The first models in this new range will be Carnotaurus, Giganotosaurus, Therizinosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor.  These dinosaurs have been wonderfully well painted and we love the vivid, vibrant colours.

Carnotaurus

The blue Carnotaurus has attracted some controversy.  It has been claimed on some websites and forums that Schleich have omitted the arms.  In the pictures of this model no forelimbs can be seen.  At Everything Dinosaur, we have high resolution images sent into us by Schleich and these too, in the case of the Carnotaurus replica, don’t seem to show any arms on this particular dinosaur model.

A Close up of the Carnotaurus (Forelimbs not Visible)

Arms not visible.

Arms not visible.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

To help resolve the situation, we chased up Schleich for an official comment.  We have been told that this model does indeed have arms, but they are very small.  Carnotaurus did have minute arms, why these theropods had very much reduced forelimbs remains a mystery.

An Official Statement

Here is the official statement from Schleich:

“Carnotaurus belongs to the family Abelisauridae and is the one with the most distorted extremities.  Additionally, its arms are directed backwards.  We had to apply the right arm to the body due to release properties.  It may be that you cannot see this arm in the product image.  But it is there.”

Schleich have made a number of Carnotaurus models in the past.  A Carnotaurus model featured in the now retired “Saurus” range of prehistoric animal models and a Carnotaurus was included in the company’s World of History model range back in 2013.  Both these replicas had the small arms, so typical of an abelisaurid.

Comparing Schleich Models of Carnotaurus

Schleich Carnotaurus models from different ranges.

Schleich Carnotaurus models from different ranges.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

We have yet to see a sample of the new, blue Carnotaurus that is included in the small dinosaurs model series.  Once we actually get to handle the model and photograph it ourselves, the “missing arms” mystery will be resolved.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s current World of History Model range: Schleich World of History Dinosaur Models.

Looks like Schleich and Everything Dinosaur have some interesting times ahead.

13 11, 2014

New from Collecta for 2015

By |2023-03-17T17:54:05+00:00November 13th, 2014|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|1 Comment

Temnodontosaurus and Moropus Models

The last two CollectA models to go into production for 2015 are the remarkable Temnodontosaurus and Moropus models.  CollectA will produce an ichthyosaur replica depicting a Temnodontosaurus giving birth and a chalicothere replica – Moropus).  These figures will be available in the late Spring of 2015, we suspect around May/June.

Temnodontosaurus platyodon

The ichthyosaur replica (Temnodontosaurus platyodon), is we believe, a world first for a mainstream model manufacturer.  The replica depicts a female at the moment of giving birth.  Viviparity in the Ichthyosauria was just one of their adaptations to a fully marine existence.

New for 2015 The CollectA Temnodontosaurus Ichthyosaur Model

Detailed Ichthyosaur figure.
Detailed ichthyosaur figure.

Picture credit: CollectA

Model Measurements

This model measures around twenty centimetres long from the tip of the snout to the tail flukes.  The baby is being born tail first and it is not detachable from the mother. There have been some remarkable fossils found which show ichthyosaurs preserved in the process of giving birth, we are not aware of any such specimens which feature T. platyodon, but it is fitting that CollectA should choose to produce their first ichthyosaur based on Temnodontosaurus, as this was the first ichthyosaur fossil to be described, when a specimen showing a nearly complete skull and articulated cervical vertebrae was discovered in Dorset back in 1810.

In several fossils a baby can be clearly seen emerging tail first from the mother.  Being born tail first prevented the youngster from drowning before it had time to free itself from its mother.  A number of Temnodontosaurus species have been described, at around twelve metres in length, T. platyodon was one of the largest of all the ichthyosaurs known to science.  It would have been an predator (but not likely an apex predator) in the Early Jurassic seas of Europe. Everything Dinosaur team members thing that this marine reptile specialised in hunting cephalopods.   Based on a length of twelve metres we estimate that this figure would be in 1:60 scale.

Black Pigmentation

The mainly black pigmentation of the model is based on recently published research (Lund University, Sweden), that suggested that most ichthyosaurs were dark coloured, although the conclusions made by the Swedish researchers have been challenged.

To read about the research into marine reptile skin colour: Marine Reptiles Dressed in “Little Black Numbers.

To view the article that challenges the colouration proposed for marine reptiles: Working out the Colour of Long Extinct Animals Just Got Harder.

To view the range of not-to-scale CollectA Prehistoric Life models in stock: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

CollectA Deluxe Moropus Model

Now let’s turn our attention to the Chalicothere model that CollectA will also be bringing out in the summer of 2015 (July 2015).  This is a model of the North American “knuckle-walker”, known as Moropus.

CollectA Deluxe Moropus Model Available in Summer 2015

Wonderful prehistoric animal model.
Wonderful prehistoric animal model.

Picture credit: CollectA

Intriguingly, this replica has attracted a lot of attention, after all, there are not that many top quality prehistoric mammal replicas to be found and this model of a Miocene herbivore is superb.  Everything Dinosaur intends to produce a fact sheet on this model, we intend to focus on Moropus elatus (named by Marsh).

Prehistoric Animal Models

There may also be confusion over to the scale of the Deluxe Moropus figure, some paperwork from CollectA states 1:12 scale, whilst other notes refer to the Moropus being a 1:20 scale model.  The Moropus figure measures a fraction under fourteen centimetres long from the snout to the tip of the tail and it stands a little over sixteen centimetres high (top of the head). Based on M. elatus with a shoulder height of around 2.4 metres we estimate that this figure is nearer to 1:20 scale than 1:12, although this calculation does depend on which species  and which fossil specimens are used as references.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s existing stock of CollectA Deluxe: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Either way it is a super, new addition to the CollectA range and we look forward to adding both these replicas to our inventory.

12 11, 2014

Kind Words from an Everything Dinosaur Customer

By |2023-03-17T17:51:04+00:00November 12th, 2014|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Press Releases|0 Comments

Praising Everything Dinosaur

We all work very hard to help our customers at Everything Dinosaur.  Whether it is packing a last minute order that is needed urgently for a birthday gift, or helping to advise a school on a fossil themed lesson plan, or even providing prehistoric animal models for a scientist, these are all typical activities covered in the last two hours or so.  We have thousands and thousands of customers all over the world, we are grateful for all the support that our little team receives.  Many of our delighted customers take the trouble to telephone us or email to say how good our customer service is (they also really appreciate our products and our prices).

Praising Everything Dinosaur

Thought we would post up today an email sent into us this morning by Paula, a mum who was very pleased with her parcel and was delighted with the way we looked after her.

Paula wrote:

“I received my order and I am absolutely delighted with it, thank you!  I thought I must write and congratulate you on your outstanding service.  The email below that you sent to me when I placed the order was so refreshing.  I knew that my order had been received and that there was a real person I could contact if I needed help.  Also the information sheets you sent were fantastic.  My son is going to love them.”

It is always a pleasure to hear from our customers, glad we were able to help.
Paula concluded her email by stating:

“Keep up the excellent work. You definitely have the right approach to doing business! I wish you all the very best.”

Even our boss “Tyrannosaurus Sue” was pleased.  When it comes to dinosaur models and toys, people know where to visit: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

11 11, 2014

A “Brummie-saurus”

By |2023-03-17T17:48:32+00:00November 11th, 2014|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Birmingham School Children Learn All About Dinosaurs and Fossils

It was an early start today for an Everything Dinosaur team member as they set off to visit a school in Birmingham (West Midlands), to work with the Year 3 classes who had just started their topic on dinosaurs and fossils.  The focus for the day was to help each class get to grips with working scientifically and to support the intended learning outcomes of the teaching team.

Dinosaurs and Fossils

One of the things we had been asked to do was to help explain what the world looked like during the time of the dinosaurs and how the location of land masses has changed.  Time for us to bring in some of our collection of Permian plant fossils, specifically fossils of various glossopterids to assist us with this aspect of our work.  A map of the world stuck onto the wall of the dance studio where we were based for the day came in very handy.

Lower Key Stage 2 Children

This is the first time a dinosaurs and fossils topic had been introduced at the lower Key Stage 2 level at this school, however, our sharp-eyed photographer spotted a wonderful paper mache sauropod that was lurking in a corridor.  Apparently, this dinosaur had been part of a art project a few years ago.  It was certainly a very striking sculpture.

Diplodocus Inspired Artwork on Display at School

A school's very own version of "Dippy".

A school’s very own version of “Dippy”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur 

We conducted various experiments (hopefully, our experiment with 3PW will demonstrate tomorrow how fossils can form), we were asked some amazing questions by the budding young scientists and we set each class one of our “palaeontologist challenges” as part of the extension activities.

Our dinosaur expert got some lovely feedback from the children.

“I loved learning all about dinosaurs” – AB

“It was fantastic!” – AM

One of the Year 3 teachers told us:

“The children’s reaction to the workshop was fantastic.  They were all engaged and amazed by the facts and the artefacts!”

Volcanoes in the Dance Studio

The dance studio, where we set up for the day, was also the place where a number of volcano models that had been built by children at the school were being stored.  We felt very much at home.

Models of Volcanoes Built by School Children

Geology on display in the dance studio.

Geology on display in the dance studio.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To see the huge range of dinosaur themed toys and gifts available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

As part of the agreed extension activities, we set up a little bit of work for the children which links into their ICT studies this term.  We can’t wait to see the results.  Perhaps these Birmingham based school children will design their very own dinosaur, could we have a “Brummie-saurus” on our hands?

10 11, 2014

Everything Dinosaur Stocks Rebor Yutyrannus Model

By |2023-03-17T17:45:38+00:00November 10th, 2014|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos|0 Comments

1:35 Scale Yutyrannus Model Added to Everything Dinosaur’s Range

For some time now, team members at Everything Dinosaur have been working with Rebor and the people behind this brand of new, highly collectible prehistoric animal replicas.  The first of the models in the Rebor series, the Yutyrannus (Yutyrannus huali) is going to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur very shortly.  A few weeks ago, we made a quick video in our boardroom which introduces the Rebor range and looks at the Yutyrannus replica in detail.

Rebor Yutyrannus Model

The Rebor Yutyrannus (Y. huali) Video 

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Rebor Yutyrannus huali Dinosaur Model

In this short video, five minutes and forty-seven seconds, we examine the packaging, discuss our involvement with Rebor and look at this beautiful tyrannosaurid model in more detail.  We comment on the integument that can be seen on the replica and explain a little about what is currently known about this particular feathered Chinese tyrannnosaur.  Team members are finalising a fact sheet on this dinosaur, it is our intention to include this fact sheet with this new model, thus helping to provide collectors and dinosaur fans with a little additional information about this dinosaur, that was only formally named and described in 2012.

The Rebor 1:35 Scale (YREX) Dinosaur Model

1:35 scale replica

A 1:35 scale replica. The Rebor Yutryannus huali dinosaur model. Picture credi: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur intends to offer this limited edition model at a special introductory offer price.

For further information and for more pictures, simply email Everything Dinosaur: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

A spokesperson from the UK-based, award-winning dinosaur company stated that team members at Everything Dinosaur were looking forward to stocking this Rebor Y. huali dinosaur model.

The spokesperson added:

“The Rebor Yutyrannus model is fantastic, it is a superb 1:35 scale replica of a famous Chinese tyrannosauroid.”

To visit the Rebor models section of the Everything Dinosaur website: Rebor Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

9 11, 2014

Researchers Report on Cretaceous Trace Fossils From Angola

By |2023-03-17T17:30:59+00:00November 9th, 2014|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Important Prehistoric Animal Tracks Discovered in Angola

Amongst the many exciting news stories that have come out of the annual Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology meeting held this week in Berlin, is the report from the Paleo Angola Project about the discovery of extensive vertebrate tracks preserved in sediment that now makes up part of a diamond mine in north-eastern Angola.

A New Frontier for Palaeontology

Angola is one of the new frontiers for palaeontology.  This vast, yet underdeveloped country in southern Africa is believed to contain a number of Mesozoic aged, highly fossiliferous deposits and it is likely that any dinosaur fossils excavated from this country are likely to be species new to science.

Researchers Map the Trace Fossil Locations

Mapping the fossil locations.

Mapping the fossil locations.

Picture credit: Paleo Angola Project

The picture above shows an aerial view of some of the trace fossils with their locations highlighted by the research team.  Dinosaur tracks are highlighted in the centre and on the right of the photograph, whilst the mammalian tracks can be seen highlighted towards the bottom left portion of the picture.

Angolan Fossil Exploration

To read an article from Everything Dinosaur about Angolan fossil exploration: Angola Starts to Share its Fossil Secrets.

In a report to the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology, researchers from the Paleo Angola Project described a location in the silt and sand deposits that represents a lacustrine (lake) environment dating from approximately 118 million years ago (Aptian faunal stage).  Approximately, seventy distinct footprints have been identifed so far.  These trace fossils represent footprints made by sauropod dinosaurs, crocodiles and a relatively large prehistoric mammal.  The mammal print is particularly intriguing.

Most mammals during this part of the Cretaceous were very small, no bigger than rats, but the five-toed print measuring more than three centimetres across indicates that a mammal the size of a Bedlington Terrior dog or a North American Raccoon.  The scientists stated that the tracks were probably made over a substantial period of time, as the lake dried out over several seasons.

A Close Up and Line Drawing of a Single Mammalian Print

Five digits can be clearly seen.

Five digits can be clearly seen.

Picture credit: Paleo Angola Project

Studying the Mammalian Track

The mammalian track suggests that in at least this part of Africa, mammals were much larger than previously thought.  The mammal track has been described as “a very rare find.”

Working out what kind of mammal left the rare footprints may not be possible, after all, no body fossils have been found.

Commenting on the discovery, Marco Marzola, one of the palaeontologists with the Paleo Angola Project explained:

“We cannot narrow down to a species but we can say what they [the footprints] do belong to.  They were made by an exceptionally large mammal, that we can say for sure.”

Cretaceous Trace Fossils

In the same location, eighteen sauropod tracks have been discovered, the Paleo Angola Project team have already named and described one giant, long-necked dinosaur that once roamed Angola.  The fossils of this dinosaur were found in marine sediments.  It is likely that the corpse floated out to sea and there is evidence preserved on the fossilised bones of feeding from sharks, that were scavenging the carcase.

To read about the discovery of Angola’s first dinosaur: Angolatitan – Dinosaur that Ended Up as Fish Food.

Praising the action of the consortium which owns the diamond mine (Catoca mine, the fourth largest diamond mine in the world), the scientists said that the mine owners stopped all activity at the mine to allow the researchers to map and plot the trace fossils.  The mine owners put the promotion of vertebrate palaeontology in Angola ahead of their own desire to make money.

8 11, 2014

Ankylosaurs with Air Conditioning

By |2023-03-17T17:23:17+00:00November 8th, 2014|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Complicated Nasal Passages Helped Keep Ankylosaurs Cool

Animals have a number of ways of controlling their body temperatures and cooling down.  Some warm-blooded animals like kangaroos and antelopes seek shade during the heat of the day.  Elephants cover themselves with mud or take a cooling dip.  Dogs pant and humans sweat, but how did the heavily armoured dinosaurs keep cool?  These “living tanks” with their huge, armoured bodies could have been in danger of overheating as they wandered around in the Mesozoic.

Ankylosaurs with Air Conditioning

A new paper suggests that their complicated nasal passages not only would have helped these animals with their sense of smell, but they would have acted as very efficient heat transfers.

Ankylosaurids with Built in Air Conditioning

Armoured dinosaur models.

Armoured dinosaur models.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A team of scientists based at Ohio University used CAT scans of ankylosaurid cranial material to map the anatomy of the complex nasal passages in two different North American ankylosaur species.  The team then modelled the air flow in three dimensions using a computer programme that interpreted the CAT scan data.  Palaeontologist Jason Bourke, one of the authors of the scientific paper stated that the complex nasal passages would have given the inhaled air more time to warm up to body temperature by drawing heat way from blood vessels in the nasal cavity.  This would have helped cool the blood and in turn this would have cooled vital organs such as the brain.

Brain Size in Ankylosaurids

The brain of even the largest ankylosaurids was extremely small when compared to their body size.  The dinosaur experts at Everything Dinosaur regularly compare the brain of a large ankylosaur such as Euoplocephalus tutus to the size of a child’s fist.  The nasal passages would have helped to keep the brain in its heavily armoured skull cool and stable.

Mammals and birds use scroll-shaped bones called conchae, otherwise known as turbinates to warm air that is breathed in, but the armoured dinosaurs seem to have achieved the same result with a completely different anatomical configuration.

Transferring Heat Whilst Breathing

Commenting on the study, Jason Bourke stated:

“There are two ways that animal noses transfer heat while breathing.  One is to pack a bunch of conchae into the air field, like most mammals and birds do, it is spatially efficient.  The other option is to what lizards and crocodiles do and simply make the nasal airway much longer.  Ankylosaurs seem to have taken this second approach to the extreme.”

Doctor Lawrence Witmer (Ohio University), who was also involved in this research explained:

“Our team discovered these “crazy-straw” airways several years ago, but only recently have we been able to scientifically test hypotheses on how they functioned.  By simulating airflow through these noses, we found that these stretched airways were effective heat exchangers.  They would have allowed these multi-tonne beasts to keep their multi-ounce brains from overheating.”

Complext Nasal Passages

Ohio University researchers had previously studied the complex nasal passages of another group of ornithischian dinosaurs – the pachycephalosaurs.

To read this earlier article: Nosing Around Pachycephalosaurs.

Just like noses in humans, (Homo sapiens) ankylosaurid noses are likely to have served more than one function.  As the complex nasal passages helped condition the air that was breathed in and out, water may have been removed from exhaled breath helping these dinosaurs to retain water, important when you live in arid environments.  In addition, the convoluted passageways may have added resonance to the low-pitched sounds this dinosaur made.  The nose could have amplified these sounds acting as a resonator, making the noises made by ankylosaurs  heard over greater distances.

A Model of an Ankylosaurus

PNSO Ankylosaurus "Sede".

“Sede” the Ankylosaurus dinosaur model.  A PNSO “Age of Dinosaurs” replica.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The model (above) is “Sede” the Ankylosaurus from PNSO. To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models and figures in stock: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

7 11, 2014

Year 2 Children Learn All About Dinosaurs and Fossils

By |2023-09-02T09:09:09+01:00November 7th, 2014|Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Year 2 Children Learn All About Dinosaurs and Fossils

Anfield Infants Learn All About Dinosaurs and Fossils

Year 2 pupils at Anfield Infants learned all about fossils and dinosaurs with a visit to their school from Everything Dinosaur.   The three classes of Year 2 pupils are studying fossils and dinosaurs for the rest of the autumn term and the enthusiastic teaching team have lots of exciting activities planned.  The Everything Dinosaur team member, explained how fossils formed and helped the children conduct an experiment with celery stalks to prove that living things have holes and spaces and it these spaces that can get filled with minerals as part of the fossilisation process (permineralisation).

Dinosaurs and Fossils

Over the day, the Everything Dinosaur team were able to see some of the amazing artwork around the school, inspired in part by previous visits of the Cheshire based company to the school.

Amazing Prehistoric Animal Artwork on Display at School

Stegosaurus inspired artwork. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

 The children had thought of lots of questions to ask the dinosaur expert, these questions had been pinned up onto a large K-W-L chart that was on display in each of the Year 2 classrooms.

The K-W-L Chart in One of the Year Two Classrooms

KWL chart all about dinosaurs.
Learning all about dinosaurs and fossils. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For more information about the extensive range of prehistoric animal models, toys and games available from Everything Dinosaur, including replicas of iconic fossils such as trilobites and ammonites: Visit Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

Feedback from the Teaching Team

Feedback received by Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur gets rave reviews for workshop. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

There were lots of experiments and activities and the children were thoroughly engaged, learning all about extinction, herbivores and carnivores and how the world has changed since the time of the dinosaurs.

For dinosaur themed toys and games: Toys and Gifts.

7 11, 2014

New CollectA Models (Part 2)

By |2023-03-17T17:17:23+00:00November 7th, 2014|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|4 Comments

New Releases from CollectA for 2015 and Model Measurements

Those clever people at CollectA have released the second batch of new additions to their “Prehistoric Life” model series (new CollectA models for 2015).  These are all models that will be stocked by Everything Dinosaur in 2016.  In this short article, we provide pictures of the new models and update readers on the dimensions of all the 2015 releases to date.

New CollectA Models

So let’s jump straight in..

CollectA Smilodon Replica (May 2015)

Nicely crafted Sabre-Tooth Cat model.

Nicely crafted Sabre-toothed cat model, part of the new CollectA models for 2015.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

Sabre-toothed Cat

This is a very well designed model of a Sabre-toothed cat.  The replica measures a little under 13 cm in length and the head stands around 8 cm high.  The model is in the not-to-scale range and Everything Dinosaur believes it is a replacement for the earlier Smilodon model introduced a few years ago.  This earlier Smilodon is likely to become a rare model so Everything Dinosaur urges collectors to acquire this replica before it is officially retired.

To view the range of prehistoric mammal models and figures offered by Everything Dinosaur: Models of Prehistoric Mammals.

Let’s retain the prehistoric mammal model theme and discuss the entelodont replica, the 1:20 scale model of Daeodon.  This model will also be available from Everything Dinosaur in the late spring of 2015.

1:20 Scale Deluxe Daeodon Entelodont Model from CollectA

Soon to be available from Everything Dinosaur.

Soon to be available from Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

“War Pig”

This beautifully painted model of a “war pig” as we like to call it measures a fraction under 16 cm in length and the height of the hump is 9.5 cm off the ground.

Sticking with the Deluxe range, another new addition, in what will be termed the Supreme Deluxe range and available from Everything Dinosaur in the late spring of 2015 is this excellent model of the pterosaur called Guidraco.  This is in approximate 1:4 scale and the model measures 25 cm long and it stands approximately 25 cm high.  This replica will have an articulated lower jaw.

The colour scheme has been based on an Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), one of our favourite sea birds.  Guidraco (fossils from the famous Lioaning Province of China), like the Puffin, was believed to be a fish-eater.

The Wonderful Model of the Guidraco Pterosaur

Available from Everything Dinosaur in late spring 2015.

Available from Everything Dinosaur in late spring 2015.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

Super colours on this pterosaur replica.  The model will also feature an articulated lower jaw.

Another addition to the Deluxe range is this replica of the theropod dinosaur Acrocanthosaurus.

Collecta Deluxe Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaur Model

A 1:40 scale model from Collecta.

A 1:40 scale model from CollectA.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

This model measures a fraction under 30 cm in length and the head height is around 12 cm.  It is slightly smaller than the Deluxe Feathered T. rex from CollectA that is also due out next year (see below).

The Deluxe 1:40 Scale Feathered Tyrannosaurus rex

1:40 scale model of a feathered T. rex.

1:40 scale model of a feathered T. rex.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

The model looks fantastic, the colouration is based on the juvenile feathered T. rex replica that came out this year.

The Juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex Model (2014)

A young T. rex

A young T. rex

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the CollectA range stocked by Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Models Prehistoric Life.

Last week, Everything Dinosaur team members posted up images and further information on the first of the 2015 model releases from CollectA.  To view this article: First Pictures of New Collecta Model Releases.

Here are the measurements of the models we featured:

  • Xiongguanlong – this Cretaceous tyrannosaurid model measures 10 cm long with a head height of around 6 cm
  • Nasutoceratops – a beautiful horned dinosaur model which measures 13 cm long with a head height of 6 cm
  • Medusaceratops – a slightly larger horned dinosaur model which is 14.5 cm in length with a head height of around 7.5 cm
  • Daxiatitan – a model of a huge, Chinese Titanosaur which measures over 29 cm long with a head height of a fraction under 21 cm

CollectA Deluxe Pliosaurus Model

Collecta Pliosaurus model.

CollectA Pliosaurus model.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

This model measures 31 cm in length and that bulky body stands around 6 cm high.  The replica is based on a Dorset fossil specimen, a spectacular pliosaur known as P. kevani which is known from a two-metre- long skull and jaw currently on display at the Dorset County Museum.  This Pliosaurus has Sea Lampreys attached to it. Although, we at Everything Dinosaur, are not aware of any fossil evidence to suggest Lampreys attaching themselves to marine reptiles, since a number of Sea Lampreys feed on cetaceans in coastal waters today, it is likely that these ancient, jawless fish fed on the giant marine reptiles of the past.

To view the range of CollectA Supreme/Deluxe models in stock: CollectA Supreme/Deluxe Models.

6 11, 2014

Year 2 Pupils Learn All About Dinosaurs

By |2023-03-17T17:13:16+00:00November 6th, 2014|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Dinosaur Workshop at Liverpool Primary School

School children at Anfield Infants School enjoyed a visit from Everything Dinosaur this week, as Year two pupils studied dinosaurs and fossils.  The school children had just started their topic and they had lots of amazing questions about prehistoric animals, which we did our best to answer.  The dedicated teaching team had prepared a comprehensive scheme of work and they had posted up a huge K-W-L chart in each of the Year 2 classrooms (high flyers, bright sparks and whizz kids).

Dinosaurs

What fantastic and imaginative names for the classes!

The K-W-L Chart Prepared as Part of the Term Topic

Learning all about dinosaurs and fossils.

Learning all about dinosaurs and fossils. Year 2 pupils learn about dinosaurs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Anfield Infants

The K-W-L concept helps teachers to plan a topic and to check learning.  It consists of three areas, firstly, the children brainstorm and say what they think they know about dinosaurs and fossils.  During the brainstorming session, statements might be identified that provide the teacher with information as to what the children would like to find out about prehistoric animals.

The third area highlights what the children have learned at the end of the topic.  This helps reinforce learning and allows the teacher to check understanding.

K-W-L Chart

A different dinosaur denotes each section of the K-W-L chart with the initial brainstorming session indicated by a Triceratops. The second element of the K-W-L chart features a Tyrannosaurus rex, whilst the final section (what the children have learned from the topic), is denoted by a sauropod (long-necked dinosaur).

The Everything Dinosaur team member, as part of the dinosaur workshop, challenged the classes to carry out some extension activities and promised to follow up any questions that the children emailed into the company as part of uniting this topic with their ICT studies.

Lots of Prehistoric Animal Inspired Artwork on Display Throughout the School

Stegosaurus inspired artwork.

Stegosaurus inspired artwork.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To read more about Everything Dinosaur’s huge range of dinosaur toys and gifts: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

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