Mike | Everything Dinosaur Blog

15 01, 2023

New Prehistoric Times Magazine (Issue 144)

By Mike|2024-01-01T16:10:12+00:00January 15th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Photos, Prehistoric Times|0 Comments

The next edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine (issue 144) is on its way and should be with readers in a couple of weeks. Our thanks to magazine editor Mike Fredericks who sent into Everything Dinosaur a preview of the front cover artwork which was created by Daniel Navarro, a very talented artist from Spain.

“Prehistoric Times”

We are reliably informed that this issue (winter 2023), will feature an interview with the Canadian palaeoartist Julius Csotonyi. We suspect that the interview will feature his new book “Dinosaur World”, a publication eagerly anticipated by fans of his artwork as it includes over 1,200 different dinosaur illustrations. Fans of palaeoart on this side of the Atlantic get to hear from John Conway about his latest projects including his own book, which is due out shortly entitled “A History of Painting (with Dinosaurs)”.

Visit the “Prehistoric Times” website to subscribe to this quarterly magazine: “Prehistoric Times”.

Featured Prehistoric Animals

The featured prehistoric animals in issue 144 are the Chinese early tyrannosauroid Dilong and the biggest snake known to science – Titanoboa. Readers can expect to see lots of amazing artwork.

The Titanoboa illustration (above) was commissioned by Everything Dinosaur so that the UK-based company could produce a scale drawing of the giant prehistoric snake for the fact sheet that was despatched with Rebor Titanoboa figures.

To view the range of Rebor models including museum class Titanoboa maquettes (whilst stocks last): Rebor Models and Figures.

14 01, 2023

The Awesome Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino Model

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:00:18+00:00January 14th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|1 Comment

Everything Dinosaur can confirm that the new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model will be in stock around May (2023). This new replica of Coelodonta antiquitatis will be available from Everything Dinosaur in a few months.

Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros model — *Woolly Rhino model in lateral view.*

Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino Model

The Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model will be part of the “Prehistoric Life” series and this replica follows the new version Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) that the company developed recently. Replicas of Woolly Rhinos are amongst the most popular Ice Age figures with collectors, only Sabre-toothed cat figures and Woolly Mammoths tend to be stronger sellers.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are looking forward to receiving the new Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model. This is the only new figure being added to the Mojo Fun Prehistoric Life range and from the images we have seen it looks a really good Ice Age figure.”

Coelodonta antiquitatis

This geographically widespread species is thought to have originated in Asia (Tibet). Fossils have been found throughout both eastern and western Europe (no fossils found in Ireland). The last of these magnificent creatures died out around 10,000 years ago. Over hunting by humans may have played a role, however, most palaeontologists consider that these large animals were unable to adapt to a rapidly changing climate at the end of the last Ice Age.

Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model in lateral view. — *Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model, which will be available from Everything Dinosaur around April or possibly early May of 2023.*

It will be interesting to see if that large nose horn has flattened sides. Scientists think the sides of the horn (which was made of keratin), were worn away as the animal brushed snow aside so that it could graze on the sedges, mosses and grasses hidden underneath.

To view the range of Mojo Fun prehistoric animal figures currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Mojo Fun Prehistoric Life Figures and Models.

13 01, 2023

Royal Mail “Cyber Incident” Latest Update

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:00:39+00:00January 13th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Following the announcement yesterday (12th January, 2023), from Royal Mail about a “cyber incident” currently affecting international mail activities Everything Dinosaur would like to take this opportunity to inform customers about the actions that they have taken to minimise any possible inconvenience.

The Everything Dinosaur customer statement:

Royal Mail

Everything Dinosaur would like to take this opportunity to reassure all its customers. Our website and customer data remains secure. Everything Dinosaur works tirelessly to protect and safeguard all our customers. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience the problems at Royal Mail may cause, but please be assured, we have implemented contingency plans and only a small portion of our total number of orders will be affected.

Contacting Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from the award-winning, UK-based mail order company confirmed that yesterday (16.34pm GMT), Everything Dinosaur was officially alerted by Royal Mail about the incident. Unfortunately, Royal Mail’s email came too late and international airmail, tracked and signed for parcels had already been collected.

Team members will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend and contingency operations will remain in place.

For further information and advice: Email Everything Dinosaur.

12 01, 2023

“Two Acres of Time”

By Mike|2023-01-14T19:16:15+00:00January 12th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur received this week a copy of “Two Acres of Time” by Richard S. Laub, the former curator of geology at the Buffalo Museum of Science (New York). The book documents the remarkable Pleistocene fossil and archaeological deposit preserved at Byron (Genesee County in New York State).

“Two Acres of Time”

The location formally owned by the Hiscock family (the fossil quarry is often referred to as the Hiscock site), preserves evidence of mastodon elephants as well as flint tools from humans that were present in this area around 10,000 years ago. The book tells the story of the fossil and archaeological excavations and highlights the remarkable dedication and enthusiasm of the hundreds of volunteers that have worked to uncover the fossils and other artefacts from this unique location.

Published by Columbia University Press, this book explains how scientists explore, investigate, excavate and preserve evidence of ancient landscapes and the animals and people that lived in them.

Aimed at students, academics as well as the general reader, team members at Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to reading this recently published book.

To find this book visit the Columbia University Press website and search under the author Richard S. Laub or alternatively, under the book title “Two Acres of Time”.

The Columbia University Press website: Columbia University Press.

11 01, 2023

Latest News on Royal Mail International Post Delays

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:08:24+00:00January 11th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has received a statement from Royal Mail confirming that the company is currently experiencing a “cyber incident”. Royal Mail is unable to process international mail at the moment, domestic services, parcels sent around the UK are unaffected.

The Royal Mail Statement:

Royal Mail incident — *The nature of the “cyber incident” is not known but it has affected Royal Mail’s ability to process international parcels.*

Image credit: Statement from Royal Mail

Staff at Royal Mail are currently working to resolve the problem, but for the time being, Everything Dinosaur and every other company that uses Royal Mail international services is being advised not to send parcels destined for locations outside of the UK into the mail network.

Royal Mail International Post Delays

In a communication to Everything Dinosaur, Royal Mail have confirmed that it was temporarily unable to send letters and parcels overseas, and the organisation was “working hard” to resolve the issue. Royal Mail also confirmed that there are currently minor delays to post coming into the UK, but domestic deliveries are unaffected.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that all orders sent out by Everything Dinosaur to customers in the European Union were not affected, but some orders from customers in North America, South America and Australasia would be delayed due to this incident.

The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson also confirmed that they had noted some issues with the Royal Mail network earlier, but these anomalies had not prevented team members from dispatching orders for customers up until late this afternoon (January 11th).

For advice about orders, or for additional information about how this incident could affect Everything Dinosaur parcel deliveries: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Royal Mail has promised to keep all its customers informed and to work quickly to resolve this situation.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

10 01, 2023

An Astonishingly Beautiful Ichthyosaur Jaw

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:08:45+00:00January 10th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Whilst looking back at some pictures taken during a recent visit to Liverpool World Museum, team members came across a photograph of a museum exhibit that featured an ichthyosaur jaw.

Ichthyosaur jaw. — *A museum exhibit showing the jaw of a large ichthyosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We expect amateur fossil hunters to return to the beaches at Lyme Regis and Charmouth after the recent storms and bad weather in a bid to find marine reptile fossils including ichthyosaur fossil remains. Isolated ichthyosaur bones such as those from the paddles, or vertebra (nicknamed “verts” by collectors), are relatively common but skull bones, particularly anything articulated and nearly complete are exceptionally rare.

We wish all those hardy fossil hunters planning their excursions happy hunting.

For models of ichthyosaurs and other marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and pliosaurs take a look at this section of Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Models of Sea Monsters and Marine Reptiles.

9 01, 2023

The Superb CollectA Deluxe Dimorphodon

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:09:03+00:00January 9th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Since its introduction into the CollectA scale model range in 2017 the CollectA Deluxe Dimorphodon model has proved to be extremely popular with prehistoric animal model collectors and fans of the Pterosauria.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Deluxe Dimorphodon

Having been a part of the CollectA range of scale models for five years, team members at Everything Dinosaur thought they knew all there was to know about this 37.5 cm long pterosaur figure with its articulated jaw. However, we were informed earlier this week that this flying reptile model was created as a 1:3 scale figure.

An Award-winning Pterosaur Model

The CollectA Supreme Deluxe Dimorphodon model has been voted by readers of Prehistoric Times magazine the best non-dinosaur prehistoric animal toy of 2017. One of several awards received by CollectA and their design team for the figures that they have introduced.

CollectA Dimorphodon pterosaur model. — *The CollectA Dimorphodon model with a movable lower jaw.*

To view the prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur in the CollectA scale model range: CollectA Deluxe/Supreme Prehistoric Animal Models.

8 01, 2023

A Rare Robin Hood’s Bay Fossil

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:09:25+00:00January 8th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Geology, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Recently, Everything Dinosaur was contacted by Lee who had collected a strange rock whilst visiting Yorkshire. Lee asked what the rock could be and sent in some photos. We contacted Lee and asked him to send in some more pictures, but this time including an object such as a coin that could provide a scale. In our email, we asked where this rock was found.

Robin Hood’s Bay Fossil

Lee commented that this rock was found at Robin Hood’s Bay on the north Yorkshire coast. This is a part of the world we know quite well and it is famous for its fossils. The Redcar Mudstone Formation dominates the geology of this part of the English coast and we suspect that the rock is mudstone and the unusual object is the remnants of a Jurassic shelly invertebrate.

Lower Jurassic

The shales, mudstones and sandstones that outcrop at Robin Hood’s Bay date from the Lower Jurassic (Sinemurian to Pliensbachian fauna stages) and we suspect that this fossil is around 195 – 185 million years old.

The specimen is heavily eroded, and we think it is being viewed as a cross-section. Ammonites are relatively common on this stretch of coastline as are Gryphaea fossils (Devils toenails) and crinoids. It is very difficult to identify this item, just from the photographs, however, we think that as there seem to be striations (lines) visible in the fossil that this is a highly eroded bivalve.

Any Suggestions

We know that many of our blog readers are enthusiastic fossil collectors. We would welcome any suggestions and help with the identification of this specimen.

For replicas of ammonites and belemnites take a look at this section of the Everything Dinosaur website: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

7 01, 2023

Have a Roarsome Day Spotting Something Fun!

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:03:13+00:00January 7th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Whilst out of the office for a few hours, taking a break from picking and packing parcels for customers, a team member at Everything Dinosaur spotted a trio of cheerful dinosaurs on a gift bag. The three dinosaurs were off to a party and they were hoping that everyone was going to have a roarsome day!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Have a Roarsome Day!

It is not often we come across an image of a blue Triceratops riding a skateboard, or an orange Tyrannosaurus rex wearing a paper hat. Indeed, we do not often see images of sauropod dinosaurs with balloons tied around their long necks.

Whilst the colouration of the non-avian Dinosauria remains a hotly debated topic amongst palaeontologists, we are quite confident that skateboarding, playing with balloons and wearing paper hats were not behaviours that dinosaurs indulged in. Perhaps, there is a remarkable fossil somewhere just waiting to be found that will challenge our assertions.

For models and replicas of dinosaurs, prehistoric animal themed toys and games, but no skateboards, take a look at Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

6 01, 2023

Exclusive! A Papo Model Retirement 2023 (Part 2)

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:02:05+00:00January 6th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur can confirm the following Papo model retirement for 2023. Today, we announce that the limited-edition Spinosaurus figure is being withdrawn from the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range, this model is retired and now out of production.

Papo Limited Edition Spinosaurus Model. A Papo model retirement (2023). — *The Papo Limited-edition Spinosaurus dinosaur model which was introduced in 2019 has been retired and is now out of production. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

The Limited-edition Papo Spinosaurus

The Papo limited-edition Spinosaurus replica, one of the largest dinosaur figures made by Papo, was originally introduced into the”Les Dinosaures” range in late 2019. Everything Dinosaur team members had seen prototypes several months earlier, but production issues led to delays and a launch orginally planned for the middle of 2019 got put back, initially until October, but it was not until December that year, that dinosaur fans and model collectors got their chance to acquire one.

Spinosaurus dinosaur model from Papo — *The awesome Papo Spinosaurus dinosaur model. Released late 2019, but retired an out of production in 2023.*

Everything Dinosaur had already confirmed that the Papo roaring Smilodon and the Papo young Spinosaurus would be retired in 2023, to read our earlier blog post making this announcement: Papo Model Retirements in 2023 (Part 1).

Papo Model Retirement

When the Papo 2019 Spinosaurus was first introduced, it reflected some of the very latest scientific thinking relating to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. The quadrupedal stance was praised as was the deep broad tail, which was later demonstrated to be quite accurate once a paper had been published describing this theropod’s fin-like tail “Tail-propelled aquatic locomotion in a theropod dinosaur” by Nizar Ibrahim et al (2020).

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that this was the second Papo Spinosaurus figure to be retired this year, after the earlier announcement concerning the withdrawal of the young Spinosaurus model.

The spokesperson added”

“The Papo limited-edition Spinosaurus was a real show-stopper, the box containing the model was nearly half a metre in length. The actual model was nearly 42 cm long and that impressive spinosaur sail stood 16.5 cm high.”

The Papo limited-edition Spinosaurus is still available from Everything Dinosaur (whilst stocks last).

To view the range of Papo prehistoric animal figures available: Papo Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

About Mike

“Prehistoric Times”

Featured Prehistoric Animals

Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino Model

Coelodonta antiquitatis

Royal Mail

Contacting Everything Dinosaur

“Two Acres of Time”

Royal Mail International Post Delays

CollectA Deluxe Dimorphodon

An Award-winning Pterosaur Model

Robin Hood’s Bay Fossil

Lower Jurassic

Any Suggestions

Have a Roarsome Day!

The Limited-edition Papo Spinosaurus

Papo Model Retirement