Our thanks to dinosaur model collector Carl who sent into Everything Dinosaur his review of the new Haolonggood Stegosaurus models.  As well as sending in his review, Carl kindly provided some information about the Stegosaurus genus.  In addition, we received some photos of his recently acquired models too.

A pair of Stegosaurus dinosaur models (Haolonggood figures. The model known as Sun Li (left) and Hao Si Wen (right). Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

Reviewing Haolonggood Stegosaurus Models

Here is the review sent into Everything Dinosaur:

I’d like to thank the award-winning team at the exceptional Everything Dinosaur for supplying these beautiful representations of the Late Jurassic thyreophoran clade – the majestic Stegosaurus in 1:35 scale from Haolonggood.

In 1877 the name Stegosaurus was first described as the “roofed lizard”, but Haolonggood have created a model called Stegosaurus ungulatus. In Greek and Latin, it means “clawed roofed lizard”.

Greek – stego = roofed.
Greek – saurus = lizard.
Latin – unguis = claw, hoof, nail.

It was originally thought that the dermal plates covered the animal’s body like the tiles on a roof. Hence the genus name meaning “roofed lizard”. This was not the case. Actually, the plates are not fused to the spinal vertebrae of the Stegosaurus skeleton.

In books, TV and film productions the plates are depicted on the top of the animal’s body. The plates could have been used for regulating body temperature, helping to keep the Stegosaurus cool in hot, humid climates. Or perhaps the plates were used to attract a mate, or to provide a threat display to deter an attack from predatory dinosaurs. I don’t think that anyone will know for sure, but I am confident our imaginations will fill the gaps.

A closer view of the Haolonggood Stegosaurus figure Sun Li. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

The “Thagomizer” and its Origins

Stegosaurus plates had an irregular arrangement along the top of the animal’s body, from the base of the head to almost the end of the tail. At the end of the tail, it had large spikes. This arrangement of spikes is referred to as a “Thagomizer”. What a fantastic name!

To learn how the “Thagomizer” term came into common usage: How the “Thagomizer” was Named.

These spikes were no doubt defensive weapons. They were used to protect the animal and any offspring from theropod dinosaurs.

Haolonggood have done an impressive, and highly detailed sculpt for their take on Stegosaurus. There are three colour variants to choose from. Two of the three have a flamboyant paint application. However, once in the hand the colour scheme is not as vibrant as the promotional images.

A graceful gait, a high hip girdle as well as long hind legs and an almost horizontal tail gives the appearance of a very elegant animal indeed. A very narrow head with its small beak and the throat armour are also nicely done.

View the Haolonggood range of prehistoric animal models: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animals.

The Haolonggood Stegosaurus model (Hao Si Wen) on display. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

The Colour of Stegosaurs

I think a lot of herbivorous dinosaur taxa would not have had vibrant and flamboyant colouration. Such colour patterns could easily attract predatory dinosaurs. So, I don’t think that would have been the case. Camouflage would have been best and a safer colour design in nature, whether it was an extant animal or an animal that lived millions of years ago.

Nonetheless, Haolonggood’s version of Stegosaurus are still impressive figures. I would like to add that for anyone who is interested in the world of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, please make your purchases from the fantastic team members at Everything Dinosaur.

Trust me, you will never be disappointed in the service that is provided.

I hope this review has been informative to some degree and enjoyable for all the people who are fascinated by dinosaurs.

I would like to send my sincere thanks and gratitude to the ever-hard-working team members at the simply exceptional Everything Dinosaur – thank you!

Our thanks to Carl for sending in his review and photographs of the Haolonggood Stegosaurus models.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.

Our thanks to William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of one of his recent purchases. He had recently acquired the new Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon articulated figure.  This replica of Smilodon populator has twenty-one points of articulation.  The model is supplied with two interchangeable heads.  One head depicts this predator with a gaping mouth, the other provides a more passive closed mouth expression.  William commented that he loved both head sculpts.  However, he expressed a preference for the gaping mouth look with the articulated lower jaw.

He commented:

“The fearful wide maw of roaring is how we picture the Smilodon in the heat of action with prey or foe.”

The packaging was praised along with the beautiful artwork by the renowned palaeoartist Raph Lomotan.

The Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon product packaging. The front of the box (top) and the back of the box providing some information on the Smilodon genus (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Beasts of the Cenozoic Black Smilodon

It was pointed out that this figure was in 1:12 scale, although a 1:18 scale figure is planned. William commented that the orange-coloured eyes compliment the head sculpts and the choice of colour around the snout was praised. Moreover, the ability to change the ears makes the Creative Beasts series one of the very special model collections. Other clever little touches highlighted by the reviewer included the ability to show claws drawn or retracted and the removable neck ruff.

William explained:

“This figure captures both scientific and fantasy aspects all in one. I hold of the highest esteem the accurate life restorations of the Machairodontinae by the maestro Mauricio Anton as his art has no equal.”

The Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon figure shown in lateral view.

To view the range of Beasts of the Mesozoic/Beasts of the Cenozoic figures in stock: Beasts of the Mesozoic/Cenozoic Figures.

“Beyond the Black River”

William postulated that many collectors may have first encountered Smilodon within the pages of literature. For example, from Robert Erwin Howard’s Weird Tales story from 1935 “Beyond the Black River”.

The reviewer kindly provided a quotation:

“The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend. Its colour was of a curious pale quality, which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light. But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight. It was survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend – a sabre-tooth tiger. No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries.”

In concluding his review William stated that the new Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon model was an extremely accurate but equally beautiful Smilodon populator figure.

Furthermore, he summed up his latest acquisition with one word – “perfection.”

Our thanks to William for sending into Everything Dinosaur his Smilodon model review.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Toys.