Whilst on a short visit to the London Natural History Museum Everything Dinosaur team members took some photographs of the Diprotodon fossils on display. Diprotodon (D. optatum) is the largest marsupial known to science. Males measured around 1.8 metres high at the shoulder. Their body length was approximately 4 metres, and the largest specimens are thought to have weighed up to 3,500 kilograms. Females were smaller than males.
An extinct giant. The fossil skeleton of Diprotodon the largest marsupial known to science. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Diprotodon Fossils
Diprotodon (pronounced dip-pro-toe-don) was part of the Australian “megafauna” of the Pleistocene. The genus name is from the ancient Greek meaning “two protruding front teeth”. It is thought that this rhino-sized marsupial became extinct 40,000 years ago. At this time, Australia’s climate changed. It became much more arid. This climate change is thought to have been the main cause for their extinction. However, hunting from the first Aboriginal Australians cannot be ruled out.
A replica of the largest marsupial known to science Diprotodon on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows a replica of Diprotodon on display alongside Diprotodon fossils at the London Natural History Museum. There are very few Diprotodon models/toys available. It is rare for examples of ancient marsupials to made into replicas by mainstream model manufacturers.
Diprotodon is part of the Order Diprotodontia, which includes, wombats, kangaroos, koalas and possums. Syndactylous feet are a trait of the extant Diprotodontia and also assumed to be present in Diprotodon. The second and third toes are fused together. It is thought that Diprotodon also had fused second and third toes.
The toes on the robust feet of Diprotodon curve inwards. This is thought to have been an evolutionary trait passed onto these huge animals from their fossorial ancestors. The second and third toes were probably fused (syndactylous feet). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur recently featured in a business magazine. The article focused on how companies can develop their potential for selling overseas. Everything Dinosaur team members are delighted to be successful in numerous markets all over the world. Mike and Sue were happy to talk about the Everything Dinosaur export success.
Everything Dinosaur team members Mike and Sue are praised for their export success. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur Export Success
Selling business to consumer via mail order through the company’s website: Everything Dinosaur, the Cheshire-based firm has developed an international customer base.
It has not happened overnight, but slowly and surely Everything Dinosaur has built an excellent reputation for customer service and support. This has been reflected in the company’s sales overseas.
The Rebor Diplodocus carnegii “Artist Proof” replica. A reason for the company’s export success is their strong social media presence and willingness to engage with dinosaur model collectors. This includes posting up reviews and pictures of prehistoric animal figures. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Around the Corner or Around the World
When asked to explain their business success, Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Whether you are working with customers around the corner or around the world, you have belief in your product and you have belief in your service. If you have a good product and good service, then why not try to grow sales overseas.”
The Chamber of Commerce magazine article featured a trio of businesses who shared their stories and insight when it comes to developing export sales opportunities.
The article explained that Everything Dinosaur is passionate about dinosaurs and prehistoric animal models. The company sells these replicas including museum-quality scale models to customers all over the globe.
The Papo running T. rex dinosaur model was spotted by a sharp-eyed team member of Everything Dinosaur whilst on a visit to a local museum. The popular Papo dinosaur figure was in a display case next to a replica claw and a replica tooth of a Tyrannosaurus rex. The Papo running T. rex model was helping museum visitors to get an impression of what this huge theropod might have looked like.
A Papo green running Tyrannosaurus rex model on display next to a replica of a T. rex tooth and a T. rex claw. An exhibit at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The model in the display case is not a scale dinosaur model. It does help to demonstrate the size of the claw and the T. rex tooth. This Papo running T. rex figure measures 33 centimetres long.
The Papo Running T. rex Dinosaur Model
The Papo running T. rex dinosaur model was introduced into the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range in 2012. Since its introduction, it has sold well and been a firm favourite amongst model collectors. It is one of several T. rex models in the Papo range.
A brown coloured version was also introduced. This was a limited-edition figure. The limited-edition figure was withdrawn from sale after a few months. Everything Dinosaur lobbied Papo and the model was re-introduced. The brown running T. rex figure is available from Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that whilst the Papo figure may not be the most accurate figure of a T. rex, the model helps to contextualise the museum display.
Children seeing the familiar dinosaur model in a museum display can make the link between the toys that they play with and the actual animals that the model represents.
The spokesperson added:
“Children were excited to see the T. rex exhibit. Many also recognised the Papo dinosaur model. Hopefully, they can make a connection between toys and fossils.”
Our thanks to young dinosaur fan Jenson who provided Everything Dinosaur with a trio of colourful prehistoric animal drawings. A team member had visited Jenson’s school. The term topic had been dinosaurs and Jenson wanted to show his drawing of three colourful prehistoric animals.
Jenson provided Everything Dinosaur team members with a very colourful trio of prehistoric animal drawings. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Colourful Prehistoric Animal Drawings
Several schoolchildren had produced dinosaur illustrations. The Everything Dinosaur team member praised the children’s efforts and commented:
“Such wonderful, colourful drawings of pterosaurs and dinosaurs. These illustrations make a fantastic classroom display. The boxes on the drawings allow the children to include some adjectives that describe their artwork. This helps them practice their writing skills as well as their hand-eye co-ordination.”
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked the teaching team for inviting them to the school. He added that the term topic had been carefully planned. It contained lots of amazing lesson plans to help children with their reading, writing and general development.
Everything Dinosaur is based in the UK, and it supplies dinosaur and prehistoric animal related figures, gifts, soft toys, clothing and merchandise. Run by teachers and knowledgeable dinosaur enthusiasts helping collectors of prehistoric animal models and promoting education and an appreciation of the Earth sciences.
To visit the company’s award-winning and user-friendly website: Everything Dinosaur.
Our thanks to dinosaur fan and model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur his review of the new 2.0 PNSO Giganotosaurus figure. The reviewer commented that the head sculpt of this new PNSO theropod had been influenced by recent carcharodontosaurid research.
The detailing around the eyes and the ridges on the naris are praised.
The new PNSO Lucas the Giganotosaurus dinosaur model.
PNSO Giganotosaurus 2.0
The deep set of the nostrils and skull shape is commented upon. When the articulated jaw is opened, rows of sharp teeth are displayed.
William comments:
“The PNSO Giganotosaurus is the most accurate Giganotosaurus carolinii head sculpt created to date.”
The reviewer states that dinosaur fans have a true Giganotosaurus standing before them when the model is unpacked. It has powerful neck muscles, a broad, strong back and a muscular tail. A wealth of varied folds and scales cover the model’s main torso.
“From top to bottom no area goes unloved. All is covered in the details never missed by PNSO and the figure has a cloaca.”
Giganotosaurus Limbs
The arms end in hands with fearsome claws. The middle digit is slightly larger than the other two. The hindlimbs are robust and powerful. The left foot is slightly raised as if this dinosaur was captured in mid stride. The reviewer comments on the colour scheme chosen for the model. He praises the subtle application of ochre around the snout. The orange eye is almost watching you. The fudge brown of the lacrimal crest and nasal ridges draws the eye towards the head.
The PNSO Giganotosaurus dinosaur model in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the spring (2023).
The Model Measurements
As with previous reviews, William provides the model’s measurements.
Scale = 1:35 with a length of 14 inches and a head height of approximately 3.5 inches. He explains that the figure is supplied with a clear, support stand. The Giganotosaurus box contains a full-colour booklet and dinosaur posters.
Time Period: Late Cretaceous 99.6–95 million years ago (Cenomanian).
Location: Argentina, Patagonia, Villa El Chocón, in the Neuquén Province.
The Science Behind the PNSO Giganotosaurus
Just ten years after the discovery of the fossils of Baryonyx walkeri, once again good fortune led to the discovery of another theropod dinosaur. Rubén D. Carolini was cruising the Villa El Chocón Badlands when he spotted a dinosaur bone (tibia). He contacted professional palaeontologists and at the 1994 meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Giganotosaurus was introduced to the world.
Giganotosaurus carolinii means Carolini’s giant southern lizard and the first illustration was created by renowned artist James Gurney. After viewing photos taken at the fossil site of the holotype, the team was offered funding to recover the specimen by Don Lessem. The team recovered 70% of the holotype skeleton which is now preserved and exhibited in the Ernesto Bachmann Paleontological Museum in Villa El Chocón.
Lucas the Giganotosaurus has an articulated lower jaw.
Theropod Classification
As part of his review William provided information on this dinosaur’s taxonomy.
Order: Theropoda
Superfamily: Allosauroidea
Clade: Carcharodontosauria
Family: Carcharodontosauridae
Tribe: Giganotosaurini
Genus: Giganotosaurus
Species: G. carolinii
William explained that palaeontologists estimate the length of this dinosaur at around 43 feet. It may have weighed in excess of 13 tons. It was the apex predator in the ecosystem. Giganotosaurus may have hunted titanosaurs. Perhaps packs of these carnivores mobbed large titanosaurs, or perhaps hunting tactics were more co-ordinated. Our thanks to William for providing some suggestions as to the hunting tactics employed by these super-sized predators.
The reviewer concluded by praising Everything Dinosaur and the manufacturer stating that PNSO had created a most accurate version of Giganotosaurus. He commented on the other theropod dinosaurs that PNSO had recently introduced and suggested that a Concavenator model should be included in the range.
William added:
“My thanks to all the team at Everything Dinosaur. Praise where praise is due to Everything Dinosaur. A Giga thank you to you all for your hard work now and in the future. With Everything Dinosaur, we are given a great choice of delivery options, and all are fairly priced.”
Our thanks to William for sending into Everything Dinosaur his comprehensive PNSO Giganotosaurus 2.0 model review.
Everything Dinosaur took a break from picking and packing orders to visit the recently refurbished Manchester Museum. One of the new exhibits is “April” the Tenontosaurus dinosaur fossil. The display includes actual fossil bones of a Tenontosaurus, and the exhibit depicts this ornithischian dinosaur as a quadruped.
“April” the Tenontosaurus on display at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
An Important Dinosaur Fossil Specimen
The fossils were discovered on private land in Montana, USA back in 1994 and acquired by the University of Manchester in 1999. The fossils (specimen number MANCH LL.12275) represent one of the best-preserved and most complete Tenontosaurus tilletti known to science. The specimen was originally displayed as a biped. The dinosaur was posed rearing up on its hind legs. During the conservation work to prepare the fossils for display, researchers demonstrated that this dinosaur spent most of its time walking on all fours.
It was named “April” after the wife of Barry James who originally prepared this stunning fossil dinosaur for exhibition.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Tenontosaurus model.
The picture (above) shows a CollectA Tenontosaurus dinosaur model. To view the range of CollectA not-to-scale prehistoric animal models: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.
Gastroliths
Gastroliths (stomach stones) were found in the body cavity of this dinosaur. Some types of dinosaur swallowed stones to help them grind up tough plants and aid digestion. These stones were held in a gizzard and helped to break down plant-material and assisted in the extraction of nutrients.
Only a handful of examples of gastroliths being associated with ornithopods have been reported. “April” the Tenontosaurus is the largest ornithopod dinosaur known to science associated with gastroliths.
“April” the Tenontosaurus dinosaur fossil has been granted her own special display area. There are plenty of information panels informing visitors about the dinosaur and highlighting important areas of research. The gastroliths are on display too. It is only when visitors get close to the fossils that they can appreciate the impressive length of the dinosaur’s tail.
Whilst the dinosaur might be nicknamed “April”, Everything Dinosaur team members are uncertain as to whether there has been any research to identify whether the bones do indeed represent a female.
The length of the tail of Tenontosaurus can be appreciated. The Tenontosaurus known as “April” exhibited at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the Manchester Museum for its excellent Tenontosaurus dinosaur fossil display and commented on the friendliness of the staff.
The PNSO Basilosaurus model, part of the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range is to be retired. It was one of the first PNSO figures to be introduced, Everything Dinosaur can now confirm that it is out of production.
The PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Basilosaurus model.
The PNSO Basilosaurus Model
This large prehistoric whale figure was one of the first PNSO replicas to be supplied complete with transparent display stands. Measuring close to twenty inches in length (more than fifty centimetres long), this figure needed a lot of shelf space. Two species of Basilosaurus are known. Basilosaurus cetoides (the type species) was named by Sir Richard Owen (1839). A second species Basilosaurus isis was erected in 1904 (Andrews).
The Basilosaurus replica (PNSO). This replica is one of the first large figures to be made by PNSO.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are sorry to see the Basilosaurus retired. It was a fantastic figure of a Late Eocene prehistoric whale. PNSO have expanded their model range dramatically over recent years, model retirements are to be expected. PNSO will continue to add to their popular mid-size model range. We will announce a new PNSO figure in the very near future.”
An illustration of Basilosaurus. The human figure provides a scale. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Our thanks to young Caldey for sending into Everything Dinosaur a superb tyrannosaur illustration inspired by the theropod dinosaurs featured in the television series Prehistoric Planet II.
Following the pattern of the first season’s ground-breaking series, Prehistoric Planet II will be shown over five consecutive nights starting on May 22nd. It is being broadcast by Apple TV+. Season one covered Coasts, Deserts, Freshwater, Ice Worlds and Forests. The five programmes making up season two will feature Islands, Badlands, Swamps, Oceans and North America. Viewers can expect to see more prehistoric animals including pterosaurs, marine reptiles and of course dinosaurs. Perennial favourites return such as Velociraptor, Triceratops and tyrannosaurs, the subject of Caldey’s beautiful drawing.
A wonderful illustration of a tyrannosaur from the Prehistoric Planet II trailer.
Tyrannosaur Illustration
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked Caldey for sending in her drawing of a fearsome tyrannosaur and commented;
“Series one was nominated for several awards including the Television Critics Association award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. We expect series two to be equally successful, if not more so. Dinosaur fans young and old are looking forward to the start of the new series. Our thanks to Caldey for creating such a terrific tyrannosaur illustration.”
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough
All the programmes will be narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Season two will include a special segment on each programme providing an in-depth analysis of the palaeontology used as the basis for the episode. This new segment, entitled “Prehistoric Planet Uncovered”, will provide viewers with the opportunity to hear from the scientists who advised the production team.
Just like Caldey, we are looking forward to Prehistoric Planet II.
Everything Dinosaur team members were reviewing some wonderful examples of cave art created by Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. The children attended Bowlee Community Primary, and they had been studying life in the Stone Age. As part of an exciting and diverse term topic the children had recreated cave paintings.
A wonderful example of “Stone Age” cave art recreated by pupils at Bowlee Community Primary. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Recreating Cave Art
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur recalled visiting the school in 2017 and again in 2018. He praised the teaching team for their dedication and enthusiasm. The examples of the Stone Age drawings had been put on display outside the classroom. The children explained that they had enjoyed learning about their ancestors. They enjoyed creating the cave art and they were fascinated by the pictures of real cave art their teacher had shown them.
Dinosaur fans will know that there were many different tyrannosaur taxa. Whilst on a visit to a museum, an Everything Dinosaur team member spotted a tyrannosaur dentary. The theropod jawbone was located away from the Tyrannosaurus rex exhibit. The fossil represents a member of the Tyrannosauridae family. The fossil is from a Daspletosaurus. The accompanying information did not state the species.
A Daspletosaurus dentary on display at a museum (Natural History Museum London). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Daspletosaurus
Daspletosaurus roamed western North America (Laramidia) during the Late Cretaceous (Campanian faunal stage). Several species have been assigned to this genus. The genus was erected in 1970 (D. torosus). Subsequently, other species have been assigned including Daspletosaurus horneri in 2017 and Daspletosaurus wilsoni (2022).
The tyrannosaur jawbone (right dentary) depicts the typical D-shaped crowns associated with these theropods. A total of ten teeth can be viewed in the jawbone (buccal view). The buccal view shows the side of the jaw that is adjacent to the cheek.
Although Daspletosaurus was a large and powerful hunter, the lower jaw is less robust than the fossils associated with Tyrannosaurus rex.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The dentary is in an exceptional state of preservation. Museum visitors could easily overlook this excellent tyrannosaur dentary. However, fossils such as these can tell palaeontologists a lot about the Daspletosaurus genus and theropod dinosaurs in general.”
