Engineering students visit Everything Dinosaur. As part of the company’s work in the community, Everything Dinosaur was visited by Tom and Bolaji, two final year engineering students at Liverpool John Moores University. Tom and Bolaji are currently working on a practical project that focuses on using state-of-the-art software and engineering skills. The project forms part of their final year studies.
Sue from Everything Dinosaur with engineering students Tom and Bolaji from Liverpool John Moores University. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Students Visit Everything Dinosaur
We hope that Tom and Bolaji found the visit to our offices and warehouse illuminating. Everything Dinosaur team members have worked on a number of student projects. Recently, we were invited to talk to students at Manchester Metropolitan University. We have been engaged in several outreach projects, it is all about giving something back to the wider community and helping to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It was wonderful to meet the two students. Their energy, enthusiasm and approach to business problems was refreshing. Tom and Bolaji definitely have a “can do” attitude. It was great to be able to exchange ideas and consider problems in our industry from a different perspective.”
Everything Dinosaur wishes them every success with their engineering project and in their careers.
The Woolly Mammoth could return by 2028 according to an article published in a UK tabloid paper. The sensational headline claims that the extinct prehistoric elephant could be resurrected. Advances in genetic engineering could mean that extinct creatures could be coming back.
A tabloid newspaper on Saturday 18th November was predicting the return of the Woolly Mammoth by 2028. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Woolly Mammoth De-extinction
Everything Dinosaur has featured several stories about de-extinction on this blog. One of the most recent concerned genetic research to resurrect the Thylacine, otherwise known as the Tasmanian Tiger. As a marsupial the significant problem of having to find a surrogate mother can be bypassed.
There would be many additional barriers to the genetic engineering of a viable Woolly Mammoth embryo. It is true that astonishing and rapid developments in genetic engineering could in theory bring back long extinct creatures. The resurrection would be achieved through the manipulation of an organism’s genome. This would result in the creation of a population of animals that had characteristics of animals that have died out. We are sure the article would have mentioned dinosaurs, but a “Jurassic Park”, is not going to be created anytime soon.
In 2015, Everything Dinosaur reviewed a book which provided a guide to cloning a Mammoth.
The book was written by Beth Shapiro, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. It looked at the selection criteria for a de-extinction candidate species. She explained the joys and perils of hunting for Woolly Mammoth fossils and highlighted some of the scientific obstacles associated with cloning. There are ethical and moral considerations too. Should we bring back and animal that went extinct thousands of years ago, or perhaps focus on conserving extant fauna and flora.
The introduction of new Woolly Mammoth models helped cement this Ice Age animal in our top ten. Could genetic engineering developments lead to the re-introduction of the Mammoth? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows Papo Mammuthus primigenius figures, spotted at a trade show a few years ago. The baby Woolly Mammoth model has been out of production for some time, but the juvenile and adult figures are still available.
Whatever the advantages and disadvantages of this aspect of genetic engineering, we did not expect to see a tabloid newspaper covering this research on the front page. We are not sure about the headline “lovable boffins…”.
We look forward to reading about the re-introduction of prehistoric elephants in 2028.
The new for 2023 Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia models have arrived at Everything Dinosaur. This set consists of two 1:20 scale replicas of prehistoric animals associated with the Permian of Russia. This is the third set of figures to be introduced into the Wild Past range, following the Protoceratops and the Tethyshadros pair.
The Wild Past Kotlassia (left) and the Wild Past Scutosaurus (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia Figures
Scutosaurus was a Late Permian pareiasaur. It was one of the largest terrestrial vertebrates of the Late Permian. Known from several near complete skeletons, it is thought that this herbivore weighed more than a 1,000 kilograms. It was coeval with Kotlassia. Formally named and described in 1921 (Vladimir Amalitsky) Kotlassia (K. prima) is thought to be a basal member of the Seymouriamorpha. It may have been semi-aquatic, part of a group of transitional forms evolving into fully terrestrial animals.
The new for 2023 Wild Past Scutosaurus and Kotlassia 1:20 scale models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that these two figures will be supplied with fact sheets. The spokesperson added:
“We congratulate the team at Wild Past for their excellent and unusual prehistoric animal figures. It is not everyday that Permain prehistoric animals get put into the spotlight. The Tethyshadros pair and the Protoceratops model with nest have proved popular, we are sure Kotlassia and Scutosaurus will prove popular with collectors too.”
The Wild Past Scutosaurus (close-up of the head). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the extensive range of prehistoric animal themed merchandise including models and toys available from Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur team members have posted up a CollectA Dreadnoughtus video review. This short video, it lasts under ten minutes, can be found on the company’s YouTube channel. The video discusses the fossil material associated with this titanosaur and examines a Dreadnoughtus prototype model in detail.
Everything Dinosaur’s video review of the CollectA Deluxe 1:100 Scale Dreadnoughtus.
Recently, Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with CollectA announced the second batch of new for 2024 prehistoric animal figures. The Dreadnoughtus video provides an overview of the CollectA Deluxe replica. It is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early in 2024.
The Dreadnoughtus figure that features in the CollectA Deluxe video review. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Video Contents 0:00 – Introducing Dreadnoughtus. 0:30 – Dreadnoughtus Prototype. 1:04 – Subscribe! 1:15 – Reviewing the Prototype! 3:28 – Dreadnoughtus Fossils. 4:48 – Debate about the Weight! 6:09 – The Dreadnoughtus Name. 7:17 – Available early 2024. 7:46 – Question of the Day! 8:42 – Follow us on Social Media. 9:09 – Where to Buy CollectA Models. 9:40 – Thank You!
Dreadnoughtus schrani
This huge sauropod was formally described in 2014 (Lacovara et al). Fossils representing two individual animals were excavated from outcrops of the Cerro Fortaleza Formation in Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia. The discovery of well-preserved limb bones enabled the research team to use limb bone circumference calculations to estimate the body weight of this leviathan. At the time of publication, it was suggested that Dreadnoughtus could have weighed more than 59 tonnes. The specimen upon which this body mass estimate was based, was not fully grown.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that this new for 2024 CollectA figure would be in stock early in 2024. No arrival date had been confirmed at this time, but the figure could be in stock around March 2024.
Today, we make the third announcement with regards to new CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2024. CollectA will introduce a 1:20 scale armoured dinosaur and a new set of mini-dinosaur figures.
CollectA mini sauropod model set.
CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus.
At this time, we are not sure as to when the CollectA mini-sauropod set will be available. The CollectA Polacanthus is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024 or thereabouts.
Team members will discuss the mini-sauropod set in detail in a future blog post. For the moment we will focus on the new for 2024 Polacanthus foxii figure.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Polacanthus figure.
If Polacanthus had a parascapular spine it was a splate. A splate being a spine raised on a plate of bone (combination of plate and spine). This has been located over the shoulder.
CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus
Polacanthus (P. foxii) was scientifically described in 1865. The fragmentary holotype (NHMUK PV R175) was excavated from Upper Wessex Formation strata on the Isle of Wight. Numerous other specimens have been assigned to this genus in the past. The polacanthids have undergone an extensive revision. Today, only the holotype material is assigned to P. foxii.
The dermal armour of this member of the Ankylosauria clade has been carefully reconstructed on the figure. The arrangement of the spikes and bosses is largely speculative.
The animal has a triangular shaped head. It broadens out considerably towards the back of the skull. The head is more typical of an ankylosaur. The narrow skull seen in some life reconstructions has been abandoned in favour of a skull shape that reflects the known polacanthid body plan. The model has two cervical rings of armour on the neck. It may have had three rings, but the fossil record of this dinosaur is quite poor. Only two cervical rings can be demonstrated by the fossil material, so the model has just two cervical rings. The limb proportions seem appropriate and great care has been taken in the placement and orientation of the dermal armour.
The Polacanthus figure shows countershading on the underside and the design team have moved away from the typical brown and rust red colouration associated with the Ankylosauria.
A Revision of the Wealden Group Armoured Dinosaurs
Work is continuing to revise and define the armoured dinosaur fossil material associated with the extensive Wealden Group. CollectA were keen to introduce a revised Polacanthus figure with a sacral shield. This new model is a considerable improvement on the CollectA Prehistoric Life Polacanthus which did not have a sacral shield.
In addition, CollectA wanted to introduce an updated figure as recent research has continued to define the genus and has led to the erection of new armoured dinosaur species. For example, earlier this year, a new Wealden Formation ankylosaur was named Vectipelta barretti.
Although fossils assigned to Vectipelta were once thought to represent Polacanthus, studies have revealed that these two dinosaurs were not that closely related. In addition, Vectipelta could be as much as eight million years older than the holotype Polacanthus foxii material.
A prototype figure photographed in dorsal view to show the detailed armour. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Polacanthus figure has a declared scale of 1:20. The CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus dinosaur model measures 27.5 cm in length and the tip of the beautiful tail is held 13 cm high in the air.
The model will be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024.
Some of the spikes have been broken. Damaged spikes on the CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus figure are highlighted by red arrows. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A colourful and educational dinosaur display spotted in a Reception classroom has been praised by Everything Dinosaur. On a visit to Micklehurst All Saints Church Primary (Ashton-under-Lyne), team members spotted the carefully crafted children’s display.
A colourful dinosaur display spotted in a Reception classroom. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Dinosaur Display
The teaching team had been focusing on food chains. They had used the dinosaur term topic to help the children to understand what foods animals eat. The Reception class were keen to demonstrate their knowledge. The children eagerly pointed out which dinosaurs ate meat and which ones ate plants.
As part of the varied term topic, the children had been making replicas of fossils. Some of these fossil replicas were on display in the classroom.
Fossil replicas that have been painted in bronze, silver or gold as part of the dinosaur display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Praising the Children and the Teaching Team
The fossil replicas had been created by pressing dinosaur models into salt dough. These objects had been painted a variety of metallic colours. The children’s artworks certainly made a colourful dinosaur display in the classroom.
We tested the children’s understanding of food chains. Some of the more capable learners were happy to identify which dinosaurs may have been omnivorous.
A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company commented:
“We remember visiting the school back in March 2019. At the time we remarked on the beautiful school displays. The children had enjoyed their prehistoric animal themed term topic. They were eager to highlight which parts of the dinosaur display that they had personally contributed to.”
Whilst searching for an image in the Everything Dinosaur database, we came across a photograph of a counting with dinosaurs exercise. The picture had been taken on a visit to Whirley Primary in Cheshire back in 2019. The teaching team had launched an imaginative dinosaur-themed term topic. Everything Dinosaur team members were invited into the school to explain all about dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs and fossils help young children with numbers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Counting with Dinosaurs
The reception class had been struggling with addition and subtraction. The teaching team developed some simple prehistoric-animal themed counting exercises to help the children to become more confident. After our visit, we supplied the school with some additional, free teaching resources.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We supplied the school with some additional teaching materials. Lesson plans and supporting materials to assist with the scheme of work were emailed. It is always a pleasure to help schools. We do our best to assist the teaching teams.”
The next Everything Dinosaur YouTube review will feature the recently announced new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Dreadnoughtus model. It is likely to be posted up on the company’s YouTube channel later this week. The video will feature a Dreadnoughtus 1:100 scale prototype figure.
We will post up shortly (within 2-3 days) a video review featuring a CollectA Deluxe Dreadnoughtus prototype dinosaur model. The video will be hosted on the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
CollectA Deluxe Dreadnoughtus YouTube Video Review
A spokesperson for the UK-based mail order company explained that the video was currently being edited and there was a short section describing the fossil discovery still to be filmed. It was hoped that the YouTube video would be posted up in a few days.
The CollectA Deluxe Dreadnoughtus in posterior view.
Dreadnoughtus was scientifically described in 2014 (Lacovara et al). Although body mass estimates have been challenged it remains one of the largest terrestrial vertebrates known to science. The genus contains a single species D. schrani. Two skeletons were found, and between them about 45% of the total skeleton of this huge titanosaur has been documented and described.
Dreadnoughtus Video
The video will highlight some of the features on the prototype model. It will cover colour choice, the arrangement of the dermal armour and the inclusion of thumb claws. The narrator will ask what other sauropod figures would you like CollectA to make?
This video is one of a series of Everything Dinosaur YouTube videos that focus on the new model introductions from CollectA. The CollectA Deluxe Dreadnoughtus video review will be posted up on the Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel in a few days.
The actual model will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early in 2024.
Everything Dinosaur has been contacted by Haolonggood with a request to provide feedback. Our Chinese chums would like to know what people think of the Haolonggood dinosaur models. Customers of Everything Dinosaur are aware of how well-connected team members are. We are happy to pass on comments and feedback on behalf of our customers. In addition, Haolonggood have asked for some suggestions for new dinosaur figures. We would be delighted to pass on these suggestions.
Haolonggood have asked Everything Dinosaur customers for feedback on their existing model range and for suggestions for new Haolonggood dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The team at Haolonggood have asked two specific questions:
What do our customers like about Haolonggood models?
What other dinosaur models would you like Haolonggood to develop?
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that it was always helpful to receive feedback from customers. Manufacturers also benefitted from comments made by customers and dinosaur model fans.
The spokesperson added:
“Haolonggood were keen to listen to model collectors and they recently amended their Ouranosaurus figure, improving the manus. The changes were made in line with customer expectations.”
Haolonggood have challenged model collectors to propose new figures for their extensive range. Everything Dinosaur is looking forward to passing on the suggestions. The company has received several already, quite an eclectic range, more theropods as well as ornithischians.
Which dinosaurs would you like Haolonggood to make a model of? Perhaps you would want to see more carnivorous dinosaurs with lips, or maybe you might want to see a marine reptile or pterosaur figure?
In stock at Everything Dinosaur a dinosaur skeleton beanie hat. Made from super comfortable, 100% cotton a dinosaur hat suitable for children from three years and upwards. The beanie hat features the skull of a famous meat-eating dinosaur.
A wonderful dinosaur skeleton beanie hat. Made from 100% cotton the beanie hat features the skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur.
A Dinosaur Skeleton Beanie Hat
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that this new hat was part of their clothing range aimed at children. It is an ideal hat for a young palaeontologist. The hat is machine washable, and made from 100% breathable cotton.
The spokesperson explained that the product label states that this is a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton beanie hat. However, we and many young dinosaur fans we suspect, will know that the skeleton featured is not a T. rex.
They saying goes “if you want to get ahead, get a hat”. Recently, Everything Dinosaur introduced a special beanie hat for adults. This beanie hat features the Everything Dinosaur logo and it was inspired by the headgear worn in the Everything Dinosaur warehouse.
The exclusive Everything Dinosaur beanie hat is now in stock. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the extensive range of dinosaur and prehistoric animal models, clothing and toys available from the company’s website: Everything Dinosaur.
