A goose meets a dinosaur! Our thanks to dinosaur fan and model collector Jessica who sent into Everything Dinosaur some photographs of her recently acquired Papo Compsognathus dinosaur model. The Compsognathus was photographed being studied by her pet geese.
A curious seven-week-old goose studies the Papo Compsognathus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Jessica.
Three Theropods Together
Ducks and geese are members of the Anseriformes, an ancient Order of birds that probably originated in the Late Cretaceous. Waterfowl would have co-existed alongside non-avian dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The earliest Cretaceous anseriform known to science is Vegavis (V. iaai). Its fossils come from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian faunal stage) of Antarctica. A study published in 2017 postulated that just like modern geese, Vegavis probably honked!
Anseriforms, like all birds are descended from theropod dinosaurs.
Three members of the Theropoda together. A pair of geese and the Papo Compsognathus figure. Picture credit: Jessica.
Jessica emailed Everything Dinosaur stating:
“I just received my latest order today and I thought that you might like to see the Papo Compsognathus making friends with some of his distant relatives…”
Goose Meets a Dinosaur
The geese are seven weeks old. They already resemble adult birds. Their rapid growth is a possible ancestral trait passed on by their ancient non-avian dinosaur ancestors.
The birds seem to be very interested in the Papo Compsognathus figure.
Jessica added:
“I think they are possibly the most curious creatures on Earth!”
The Papo Compsognathus figure was introduced to the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range in 2018. It has proved to be a popular model, especially as it resembles the Compsognathus dinosaurs depicted in the film “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”, which was the second instalment of the “Jurassic Park” franchise.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked Jessica for the photographs and commented:
“What delightful photographs! It is always a pleasure to hear from our customers. We wonder what the Compsognathus thought about it all the attention it was getting from these very distant relatives.”
Whilst on a recent visit to the Manchester Museum team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to admire the life-size Velociraptor replica on display.
Encountering a life-size Velociraptor replica at the Manchester Museum. The replica is part of a display that documents the evolution of feathers and the ancestry of modern birds. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Life-size Velociraptor Replica on Display
The life-size Velociraptor replica has been on display for several years. It has a shaggy coat of feathers and a long tail. The tail ends in a plume. Whilst speculative, the plume suggests that the tail played a role in visual communication.
The colouration is certainly striking and reflects the markings and plumage seen in some extant birds.
Those famous second toe claws are raised, and this small dinosaur is depicted as if it were running. Perhaps it is chasing down a small lizard or some other unfortunate prey.
The head shows the delicate lower jaw, small teeth and a short tongue located towards the rear of the mouth. The tongue length is also speculative but reflects the views of many palaeontologists.
The eye has been given a vertical pupil.
A close view of the head showing the delicate lower jaw and the large eye with a vertical pupil. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Vertical Pupil
The pupil’s function is to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye by constricting (closing) or dilating (opening) the pupil. Vertical pupils are associated with small, ambush hunters such as cats. They help these hunters see in poor light and also assist them in judging the distance between themselves and potential prey.
Getting to grips with the Beasts of the Mesozoic 1:18 scale Velociraptor mongoliensis model.
Velociraptor is thought to have been an agile hunter. The model above is a 1:18 scale Velociraptor mongoliensis replica from the Beasts of the Mesozoic range.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We always say hello to the life-size Velociraptor replica. It is a very beautiful figure and helps to demonstrate the actual size of this lithe theropod. The Velociraptor forms part of a display that highlights the link between dinosaurs and birds.”
In the latest YouTube short posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel we ask the question which Woolly Rhino model do you prefer? Are you a fan of the recently reintroduced Papo Woolly Rhinoceros or do you like the new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino figure?
Everything Dinosaur asks the question – Which Woolly Rhino model do you prefer? Are you a fan of the reintroduced Papo Woolly Rhinoceros or do you prefer the recently added Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Woolly Rhino video is less than a minute in length. It shows the two Woolly Rhino models and asks which figure do you like best? The brief video has been posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel and also shared on the company’s social media posts.
The Papo Woolly Rhino was originally introduced back in 2013, it was launched at the same time as the Papo Carnotaurus figure. Whilst the Papo Carnotaurus is still in production, the Woolly Rhinoceros was withdrawn, and it went out of production. Papo reintroduced this figure this year (2023) it is the only prehistoric mammal to be added to the “Les Dinosaures” model range in 2023.
The Papo Carnotaurus (top) and the Papo Woolly Rhino model (bottom). These two figures were added to the Papo range in 2013. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of Papo prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur (Les Dinosaures): Papo Prehistoric Animal Models.
Ask the Audience
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that the followers of Everything Dinosaur on social media tended to be well informed and knowledgeable about prehistoric animals. Team members were always happy to hear from customers and social media participants. They looked forward to receiving comments about these two Woolly Rhino models.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur.
The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel is jam-packed with model review videos and hints and tips for prehistoric animal model collectors. It has thousands of subscribers.
Which Woolly Rhino Model do you prefer?Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
A newly published study suggests that the Cambrian predator Anomalocaris canadensis had grasping appendages that were too weak to crack trilobite exoskeletons.
The research examined the mechanical properties of the claw-like appendages of the Late Cambrian predator Anomalocaris canadensis. The study concluded that this marine carnivore was built for speed but was not strong enough to crack the exoskeletons of trilobites.
An Anomalocaris life reconstruction. Picture credit: Katrina Kenny.
A Nektonic, Agile Hunter
Writing in the academic journal the Proceedings of the Royal Society Biology, the researchers led by Russell Bicknell (American Museum of Natural History), show that A. canadensis was weaker than previously thought. They postulate that Anomalocaris was a fast and agile swimmer. It was nektonic, catching soft prey such as jelly fish and early vertebrates in open water. The study further refutes the idea that this large predator hunted trilobites.
The fossilised head of an Anomalocaris canadensis showing a contracted grasping appendage. Picture credit: Greg Edgecombe.
This Study Supports the Conclusions of Earlier Research
Earlier research (Christopher Nedin, 1999) focused on the ring-shaped mouthparts of Anomalocaris (the oral cone). Anomalocaris mouthparts were at first misidentified. The oral cone was once thought to represent a jellyfish and named Peytoia. The lack of wear on the mouthparts was highlighted suggesting that they did not they did not come into regular contact with mineralised trilobite exoskeletons. It was proposed these radiodonts probably fed on soft-bodied organisms.
Revising the Behaviour of Anomalocaris canadensis
It had been thought that Anomalocaris was responsible for some of the scarred and crushed trilobite specimens preserved in the fossil record.
Postdoctoral researcher Russell Bicknell commented:
“That didn’t sit right with me because trilobites have a very strong exoskeleton, which they essentially make out of rock, while this animal would have been mostly soft and squishy.”
This study set out to investigate whether the pair of grasping appendages located on the head were capable of ripping apart a trilobite. Burgess Shale fossil material was used to create an accurate three-dimensional model of Anomalocaris canadensis.
Natural History Museum researcher and co-author of the paper, Greg Edgecombe explained:
“Having access to specimens with the entire body preserved in the fossils allowed us to understand the anatomy of the appendages in the context of the rest of the head and the trunk. We were able to get a better picture of Anomalocaris as a living organism.”
A new biomechanical study using techniques applied in engineering projects suggests that the spiked, grasping appendages of Anomalocaris canadensis were not strong enough to break the exoskeleton of a trilobite. Picture credit: Greg Edgecombe.
Compared to Extant Whip Scorpions and Whip Spiders
The scientists used modern predatory whip spiders and whip scorpions as analogues. The team demonstrated that the predator’s segmented appendages were able to grab prey and could both stretch and flex. Finite element analysis, a modelling technique used in engineering, was used to identify stresses and points where the appendage would have been under strain.
The team calculated that the appendages would have been damaged while grasping hard prey such as trilobites. The researchers also used computational fluid dynamics to place the three-dimensional model of Anomalocaris in a virtual current to predict the body position it would use while swimming.
Dr Imran Rahman (London Natural History Museum) stated:
“This study emphasises the great potential of modern computer modelling methods in palaeontology. By employing techniques more commonly used in other disciplines like engineering, we can test ideas about long-extinct animals like Anomalocaris.”
This is the first time this combination of biomechanical modelling techniques has been used together in a single study. A different view of Anomalocaris canadensis has emerged. The animal was probably nektonic. A speedy swimmer, chasing soft-bodied prey in the water column with its front appendages outstretched and forward-facing.
Bicknell remarked:
“Previous conceptions were that these animals would have seen the Burgess Shale fauna as a smorgasbord, going after anything they wanted to, but we are finding that the dynamics of the Cambrian food webs were probably much more complex that we once thought.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the London Natural History Museum in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Raptorial appendages of the Cambrian apex predator Anomalocaris canadensis are built for soft prey and speed” by Russell D. C. Bicknell, Michel Schmidt, Imran A. Rahman, Gregory D. Edgecombe, Susana Gutarra, Allison C. Daley, Roland R. Melzer, Stephen Wroe and John R. Paterson published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The oldest fossil “stomach stone” has been discovered at Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset on the famous “Jurassic Coast”. The baseball-sized fossil was found by the eminent palaeontologist Dr Steve Etches MBE. It is thought to be around 150 million years old. The fossil is at least 59 million years older than the previous oldest known fossilised stomach stone.
The world’s oldest fossil “stomach stone” also known as a calculus. This exceptionally rare fossil was found at Kimmeridge Bay. It is estimated to be approximately 150 million years old (Late Jurassic). Picture credit: Ivan Sansom.
Fossil “Stomach Stone” – A Calculus
Dr Etches sought the opinions of other palaeontologists to see if he could learn more about this mystery object. It was initially dismissed as not being organic in nature. The consensus was that it had formed through geological processes. The stone was passed on to experienced fossil preparator Nigel Larkin who compared it to material in the collections of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, and the University College London (UCL) pathology collections.
It soon became clear the stone was a “calculus”. A “calculus” is a concretion, a collection of minerals that form in the body. These objects are found in many parts of the body, the kidneys, the bladder, the stomach the urinary tract and they have a very specific internal structure.
Dr Steve Etches MBE holding the world’s oldest calculus. One of the UK’s rarest fossils. Found by Steve at Kimmeridge on the Jurassic Coast. Picture credit: The Etches Collection.
An Exceptional Fossil Discovery
Only a handful of calculi have been discovered in the fossil record. It is thought that more exist, but they have not been formally identified.
Nigel Larkin commented:
“I was fascinated by this very curious mystery object and was determined to discover what it was. Unless stomach stones are actually found preserved within a skeleton it is almost impossible to tell what sort of animal it might have formed inside.”
The size of the stomach stone and the location of its discovery (marine deposits) suggests that this object formed inside the body of a large marine reptile. The calculus could have come from a plesiosaur, an ichthyosaur, a pliosaur or perhaps a marine crocodile.
Dr Ivan Sansom, Senior Lecturer in Palaeobiology at the University of Birmingham, carried out microscopic analyses of the stone to determine the exact structure of the specimen and its mineral composition. Based on this analysis Dr Sansom concluded that this stone had formed in the gastro-intestinal tract. It was a fossil “stomach stone”.
The Only Calculus from the UK Fossil Record
The fossil “stomach stone” is estimated to be around 150 million years old (Late Jurassic). This discovery extends the range of known calculi in the fossil record by approximately 59 million years. It is the only fossil of its kind to have been found in the UK. It also confirms their occurrence in marine palaeoenvironments rather than just terrestrial deposits.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Reading in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “The fossil record’s oldest known calculus (an enterolith of the gastrointestinal tract), from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Upper Jurassic), UK” by Nigel R. Larkin, Thomas Henton, Steve Etches, Adrian J. Wright, Tzu-Yu Chen, Laura L. Driscoll, Richard M. Shelton and Ivan J. Sansom published in the Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association.
Earlier this week Everything Dinosaur posted up on the company’s YouTube channel a Schleich Quetzalcoatlus video short. This brief video (it is under forty-five seconds long), demonstrates how the jointed wings of this pterosaur model work.
Demonstrating the jointed wings on the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. Video credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Shorts, or YouTube Shorts are easy to make and provide a quick way to engage your audience using video. They can be recorded straight from a smartphone if required. The video is less than sixty seconds in length and has a vertical format. They are great for getting across simple messages in an entertaining way.
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus figure in resting pose.
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Video Short
In the Schleich Quetzalcoatlus video short, the figure is shown in a flying pose. It is quickly converted into a pterosaur resting pose. This is a novel design, and we congratulate the development team at Schleich for their innovative approach to flying reptile models.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We have lost track of the number of Quetzalcoatlus figures that Schleich have developed. We think that a Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur has been in production at the company in one form or other for more than fifteen years. The new for 2023 figure is the first Schleich Quetzalcoatlus to have jointed wings.”
Visit Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur team members have taken a photograph of Mojo Fun prehistoric mammals. A figure collector enquired about these two recently introduced prehistoric mammal replicas. The photograph helps to highlight the stunning details captured in the two figures.
Mojo Fun prehistoric mammal models. The Woolly Rhinoceros figure (left) and the Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Mojo Fun had previously included a Woolly Mammoth within its “prehistoric and extinct” range of figures. The new Woolly Mammoth model is likely to replace their earlier figure. The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) model is a new for 2023 release. It has already attracted widespread praise.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mojo Fun Prehistoric Mammals
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur congratulated the design team.
The spokesperson added:
“These two Ice Age mammals are beautiful. Their shaggy coats have been skilfully modelled and there is much to admire in these two prehistoric mammal models.”
Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (Mammuthus primigenius).
To visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Suskityrannus hazelae illustrated as preparations are made for the arrival of Wave 2 of the Beasts of the Mesozoic tyrannosaur figures. Team members have ensured that this early Late Cretaceous tyrannosauroid has been illustrated as the fact sheet for this new figure is being written.
An illustration of Suskityrannus hazelae in preparation for the next wave of Beasts of the Mesozoic theropod figures.
The Suskityrannus hazelae drawing will be converted into a scale drawing. This illustration will be incorporated into a fact sheet on this small theropod dinosaur.
The next shipment of Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated figures is expected to dock at Felixstowe at the end of July. The shipment will contain other, new Wave 2 theropods such as Proceratosaurus, Qianzhousaurus and Lythronax.
Named and described in 2019 (Nesbitt et al), this dinosaur is known from two fossil specimens. The fossils come from the Moreno Hill Formation of the Zuni Basin in New Mexico. The deposits associated with the tyrannosauroid fossils have been dated to around 92 million years ago.
Although known from fossil material representing juveniles, palaeontologists were able to make some startling conclusions. Suskityrannus hazelae, had the same general body shape and feet adapted to running (arctometatarsalian feet), as the later, much larger tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex.
Suskityrannus hazelae Illustrated
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The Suskityrannus illustration is one of three new drawings that we have commissioned. These drawings will be used in the prehistoric animal fact sheets that we intend to write. Fact sheets are sent out with sales of prehistoric animal and dinosaur figures.”
Everything Dinosaur will post up in the near future a brief video that demonstrates how the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus wings work. Our plan is to produce a video short. It will be around 45 seconds long and the video will show how the Schleich Quetzalcoatlus can be posed either flying or resting.
Everything Dinosaur has created a short video highlighting how the articulated wings on the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus function. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Wings
The new Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model has jointed wings. There is a joint at each shoulder and a second joint where the manus (hand) on the pterosaur would have been. This permits collectors and fans of prehistoric animals to change the pose of their Quetzalcoatlus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Schleich is not known for producing highly accurate figures. Their target market is young fans of prehistoric animals and dinosaurs. The company has taken a novel approach to this pterosaur model and we congratulate the design team for their innovative design.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich model range consists of a wider selection of prehistoric animal figures. A further five new dinosaur models were added to this range at the beginning of the year. The models are hand-painted and great for robust, creative play. Many of the models have points of articulation. This is the first Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model to have articulated wings.
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This week has been exceptionally busy for Everything Dinosaur team members with new model deliveries from Papo, Mojo Fun and now Schleich.
Still, despite their busy schedule Everything Dinosaur team members manage to keep smiling.
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. A new for 2023 pterosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Model
The colourful Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has an innovative design. There are joints at the shoulders and at the hands which permits the wings to be bent. The figure can be posed in a resting position. Alternatively, the wings can be folded out to give the impression that this flying reptile is airborne,
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus figure has jointed wings. The model can be displayed flying or in a resting pose.
Schleich has a long history of producing Quetzalcoatlus figures. Quetzalcoatlus featured in the original Schleich “Saurus” model series and also in the smaller Schleich dinosaurs range. This is the first Schleich pterosaur to be produced with articulated wings.
The model has a brightly coloured head. Palaeontologists think that pterosaurs had excellent colour vision.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The head of the Quetzalcoatlus is a striking combination of crimson and purple. The colour scheme chosen by the design team at Schleich is quite inspired.”
The spokesperson added:
“The novel, folded wings provide plenty of options for creative, imaginative play.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
