Fossil footprints and tracks are important trace fossils.  They preserve ancient behaviour and reveal how extinct animals moved.  Palaeontologists study these trace fossils to learn about locomotion.  In addition, a trackway provides evidence on speed, gait and often, social interaction.  Fossil footprints dinosaur models – there is a connection.  For example, a new study, due to be published in a few days, will provide fresh information on the anatomy of hadrosaur feet.  Tracks of duck-billed dinosaurs along with remarkable body fossils help model designers to produce accurate hadrosaur figures.

A fossil dinosaur footprint photographed at the London Natural History Museum. The exhibit features a three-toed print from the famous Lark Quarry track site in Australia. The fossilised print from a probable ornithopod dinosaur helps to inform model designers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Fossil Footprints Dinosaur Models

Even a single print can provide vital clues.  Information can then be incorporated into the design of a new figure by the design team.  For instance, tyrannosaur prints, most probably from a Tyrannosaurus rex have been incorporated into the display base of the Everything Dinosaur Evolution T. rex model.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur explained:

“Dinosaur tracks and prints preserve behaviour.  A single track captures a moment in deep time.  Trace fossils provide remarkable evidence, and we want to reflect this in our model’s display base.”

To view the Everything Dinosaur Evolution range of scale prehistoric animal figures: Everything Dinosaur Evolution Models.

Model makers study the evidence.  Accurate footprints help guide how models are posed.  Furthermore, they can assist with the figure’s stability.  The large, fleshy pads on the feet of sauropods incorporated into a model’s design can help the figure to be stable.  It passes our “carpet test”.

Trackways provide evidence of movement and body posture.  For example, most dinosaur figures do not have their tail resting on the ground.  Analysis of fossil trackways indicate that tails were held aloft.

A photograph of the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Nanuqsaurus hoglundi dinosaur model photographed in the studio.  The tail is held off the ground. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Collectors can see these details in incorporated into dinosaur models.  Moreover, some models include display bases with footprints.  For instance, our own 1:33 scale Tyrannosaurus rex model. Other replicas feature animals in mid-stride, reflecting fossil evidence. This attention to scientific detail makes models more realistic. It also connects collectors to the science behind the design.

Everything Dinosaur continues to celebrate the science that inspires model making. Collectors can enjoy figures shaped by fossil evidence. Each model brings the past to life and helps share the wonder of prehistoric life.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Accurate Dinosaur Models.