Feathered Theropod Models Triumph in Poll

Feathered or Scaly Theropod Dinosaur Models? The Results are In

Recently, Everything Dinosaur team members set up a poll on the company’s Facebook site asking dinosaur fans and model enthusiasts which they preferred, feathered theropod dinosaur models or models of theropods with scaly skins?

The results are in and in this particular survey it is the feathered theropod dinosaur models that have come out on top. It’s a feather in the cap for feathered theropod model designers.

Which Type of Theropod Model do you Prefer – Feathered or Scaly?

Feathered Theropod models preferred over scaly-skinned Theropod models. — In Everything Dinosaur’s survey of dinosaur model preferences with collectors it was the feathered theropods that triumphed. In this poll, 59% of respondents opted for the feathered dinosaur model option.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Theropod Models Reflecting Current Scientific Thinking

Step back ten years and virtually all the models of fearsome, carnivorous dinosaurs such as Allosaurus, Acrocanthosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex were entirely devoid of a feathery integument. Many mainstream manufacturers still prefer to produce non-feathered figures, an example being Schleich of Germany.

Schleich Have Yet to Produce a Feathered T. rex Dinosaur Model

Schleich Tyrannosaurus rex models circa 2008 and circa 2017. — *Comparing Schleich Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur models through time. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Other model manufacturers have chosen to reflect current scientific thinking and produce feathered theropod replicas, including fuzzy T. rex dinosaur models. Schleich has moved towards introducing feathered theropods, a number of dromaeosaurids have been introduced into their range over the last few years with varying degrees of feathery integumentary covering.

A model of the Late Triassic, fast-running predator Tawa (T. hallae), which was introduced by Schleich in 2018, has a feathery crest on its head and a “tuft” of feathers on its tail. The Schleich Psittacosaurus, a model of an ornithischian dinosaur, which was also introduced by Schleich last year, had feathers, reflecting the current scientific thinking. In addition, the Oviraptor and the Therizinosaurus, both examples of theropod dinosaurs have feathers, perhaps it is just a matter of time before Schleich introduces a feathered Tyrannosaurus rex.

Schleich Prehistoric Animal Model Releases in 2018 – A Trend Towards More Feathers?

New Schleich prehistoric animals (2018). — *New Schleich prehistoric animal models (2018). The new Schleich models introduced last year showed examples of feathery integumentary coverings. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

See Schleich models available from Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

59% Versus 41%

In the Everything Dinosaur poll, 59% of respondents voted in favour of feathered theropod dinosaur models, whilst 41% stated that they preferred scaly theropod figures. A big thank you to all those who participated. We appreciate all the comments that were posted up and the “shares” of our Facebook post too.

The Everything Dinosaur Facebook page provides status updates, photos, links to news stories and blog posts as well as lots of prehistoric animal model features.