All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
About Mike
Mike runs Everything Dinosaur, a UK-based mail order company specialising in the sale of dinosaur and prehistoric animal models, He works alongside Sue, and between them they have become the "go to guys" for museum quality prehistoric animal models and figures. An avid fossil collector and reader of dinosaur books, Mike researchers and writes articles about palaeontology, fossil discoveries, research and of course, dinosaur and prehistoric animal models.
Everything Dinosaur team members have taken a photograph of Mojo Fun prehistoric mammals. A figure collector enquired about these two recently introduced prehistoric mammal replicas. The photograph helps to highlight the stunning details captured in the two figures.
Mojo Fun prehistoric mammal models. The Woolly Rhinoceros figure (left) and the Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Mojo Fun had previously included a Woolly Mammoth within its “prehistoric and extinct” range of figures. The new Woolly Mammoth model is likely to replace their earlier figure. The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) model is a new for 2023 release. It has already attracted widespread praise.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mojo Fun Prehistoric Mammals
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur congratulated the design team.
The spokesperson added:
“These two Ice Age mammals are beautiful. Their shaggy coats have been skilfully modelled and there is much to admire in these two prehistoric mammal models.”
Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (Mammuthus primigenius).
To visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Suskityrannus hazelae illustrated as preparations are made for the arrival of Wave 2 of the Beasts of the Mesozoic tyrannosaur figures. Team members have ensured that this early Late Cretaceous tyrannosauroid has been illustrated as the fact sheet for this new figure is being written.
An illustration of Suskityrannus hazelae in preparation for the next wave of Beasts of the Mesozoic theropod figures.
The Suskityrannus hazelae drawing will be converted into a scale drawing. This illustration will be incorporated into a fact sheet on this small theropod dinosaur.
The next shipment of Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated figures is expected to dock at Felixstowe at the end of July. The shipment will contain other, new Wave 2 theropods such as Proceratosaurus, Qianzhousaurus and Lythronax.
Named and described in 2019 (Nesbitt et al), this dinosaur is known from two fossil specimens. The fossils come from the Moreno Hill Formation of the Zuni Basin in New Mexico. The deposits associated with the tyrannosauroid fossils have been dated to around 92 million years ago.
Although known from fossil material representing juveniles, palaeontologists were able to make some startling conclusions. Suskityrannus hazelae, had the same general body shape and feet adapted to running (arctometatarsalian feet), as the later, much larger tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex.
Suskityrannus hazelae Illustrated
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The Suskityrannus illustration is one of three new drawings that we have commissioned. These drawings will be used in the prehistoric animal fact sheets that we intend to write. Fact sheets are sent out with sales of prehistoric animal and dinosaur figures.”
Everything Dinosaur will post up in the near future a brief video that demonstrates how the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus wings work. Our plan is to produce a video short. It will be around 45 seconds long and the video will show how the Schleich Quetzalcoatlus can be posed either flying or resting.
Everything Dinosaur has created a short video highlighting how the articulated wings on the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus function. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Wings
The new Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model has jointed wings. There is a joint at each shoulder and a second joint where the manus (hand) on the pterosaur would have been. This permits collectors and fans of prehistoric animals to change the pose of their Quetzalcoatlus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Schleich is not known for producing highly accurate figures. Their target market is young fans of prehistoric animals and dinosaurs. The company has taken a novel approach to this pterosaur model and we congratulate the design team for their innovative design.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich model range consists of a wider selection of prehistoric animal figures. A further five new dinosaur models were added to this range at the beginning of the year. The models are hand-painted and great for robust, creative play. Many of the models have points of articulation. This is the first Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model to have articulated wings.
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This week has been exceptionally busy for Everything Dinosaur team members with new model deliveries from Papo, Mojo Fun and now Schleich.
Still, despite their busy schedule Everything Dinosaur team members manage to keep smiling.
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. A new for 2023 pterosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Model
The colourful Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has an innovative design. There are joints at the shoulders and at the hands which permits the wings to be bent. The figure can be posed in a resting position. Alternatively, the wings can be folded out to give the impression that this flying reptile is airborne,
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus figure has jointed wings. The model can be displayed flying or in a resting pose.
Schleich has a long history of producing Quetzalcoatlus figures. Quetzalcoatlus featured in the original Schleich “Saurus” model series and also in the smaller Schleich dinosaurs range. This is the first Schleich pterosaur to be produced with articulated wings.
The model has a brightly coloured head. Palaeontologists think that pterosaurs had excellent colour vision.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The head of the Quetzalcoatlus is a striking combination of crimson and purple. The colour scheme chosen by the design team at Schleich is quite inspired.”
The spokesperson added:
“The novel, folded wings provide plenty of options for creative, imaginative play.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Team members have been busy contacting all the customers who wanted to be informed about this prehistoric rhino’s arrival. The Woolly Rhino has been eagerly anticipated, it is a beautifully detailed replica of a Coelodonta antiquitatis.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis)
It is thought that this ancient rhinoceros evolved in Asia. During the Pleistocene Epoch it had an extensive range.
Fossils of Coelodonta antiquitatis have been found in the London area (Thames River gravels). The scientific name translates as “ancient hollow tooth”. The name derives from the animal’s teeth. Molars associated with this grazer of grasses and sedge have a distinctive cavity.
The Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros model measures around 19 cm in length. Everything Dinosaur team members estimate the head height to be around 7 cm.
A close-up view of the magnificent Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino Model
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is a spectacular replica of a Woolly Rhino. The model has a superb, tactile coat giving the impression of coarse hair. The two horns are carefully sculpted and even show signs of wear. Our congratulations to the design team at Mojo Fun.”
Proudly holding the new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The last of the Woolly Rhinos are believed to have persisted in Siberia. The genus becoming extinct around 13,000 to 14,000 years ago. A research paper published in 2021 (Wang et al), postulated that some Woolly Rhinos could have survived into the Holocene, with the last of their kind dying out around 9,800 years ago. The conclusions of the study, which was based on the dating of environmental DNA, have been challenged. The environmental DNA could have originated from older sediments and subsequently redeposited into much younger strata.
The recently reintroduced Papo Archaeopteryx and Woolly Rhino models have arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The two retired figures are available again. Team members have been busy contacting those customers about the reintroduction of these two prehistoric animal models.
The reintroduced Papo Woolly Rhino model (left) and the Papo Archaeopteryx (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows the first of these two figures to be unpacked this morning. A shipment of Papo models arrived including the Papo Archaeopteryx and the Woolly Rhino.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“It is great to see these old friends again. We know that many collectors missed out on these two models when they were originally launched. These model fans have the opportunity to complete their Papo collections.”
The Papo Woolly Rhinoceros model was introduced in 2013. It was retired a few years later. The figure has proved popular with collectors. Numerous Woolly Rhino fossils have been found in France and Papo were keen to introduce models of animals reflected in the country’s own extensive fossil record. The Woolly Rhinoceros had a large, keeled front horn. This horn and the model’s shape reflected fossil evidence and the prehistoric drawings found in French caves.
Great care has been taken to depict the anterior horn on the Papo Woolly Rhino model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Papo Archaeopteryx
The Papo “Urvogel” or Archaeopteryx was first introduced into the “Les Dinosaures” range back in 2014. This colourful theropod model was withdrawn in 2019. One of the ways in which manufacturers can engage with their customers is by reintroducing old favourites that had gone out of production. It also provides the manufacturer with a low-cost model. No mould making costs or development costs are associated with a reintroduced figure.
Papo Archaeopteryx “ancient wing” by Papo. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Papo Archaeopteryx and Woolly Rhino Figures
Dinosaur fans and model collectors have already begun to speculate on what other recently retired Papo figures might be returned.
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur did confirm that discussions had taken place some years ago about the return of the iconic Papo standing T. rex model (green standing T. rex).
A Victorian-era statue of a Palaeotherium magnum, an ancient mammal distantly related to horses has been rebuilt and installed at Crystal Palace. The original sculpture, designed by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, was lost in the 1960s. Thanks to a dedicated team of historians, palaeontologists and artists Palaeotherium has returned to the famous Crystal Palace Dinosaurs site.
The new Palaeotherium sculpture in situ at the Park. Picture credit; James Balston.
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs Site
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs have Grade 1 listed status. The collection consists of around thirty figures and approximately forty geological displays. They were created in the 1850s and represent the world’s first attempt to depict life-size prehistoric animals.
Commenting on the significance of the site, evolutionary biologist at the Natural History Museum and Chair of the Friends of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, Elinor Michel stated:
“The sculptures are of huge historic and scientific importance. The display first opened twenty-eight years before the London Natural History Museum and was the first-time models of extinct creatures had been used to engage people with science and geological time. For many visitors, this was their first introduction to the idea of lost worlds of animals and environments that no longer exist.”
Victorian-era Sculptures of Prehistoric Animals
Crystal Palace might be famous for its dinosaur sculptures, but only four of the statues represent members of the Dinosauria. The other figures represent marine reptiles, pterosaurs, crocodilians, amphibians and prehistoric mammals.
A pair of Iguanodons study the Crystal Palace landscape. The Grade 1 listed statues have been undergoing extensive conservation. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The building of a life-size Palaeotherium magnum was a task taken up by Britain’s leading palaeo artist and chum of Everything Dinosaur Bob Nicholls. Friends of the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, staff from the Natural History Museum and researchers from the University of Portsmouth supervised the project.
Building the Palaeotherium statue, an image of the original sculpture can be seen in the background. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
This is the first attempt in twenty years to replace a lost sculpture at Crystal Palace. The resurrection of Palaeotherium emphasises the importance of the work to document the changes that have taken place within the grounds.
Palaeotherium magnum
Professor Adrian Lister (London Natural History Museum) commented:
“Palaeotherium magnum is the largest among a group of five mammal species represented in the Park that lived in the Eocene some 44.5 to 33.5 million years ago when Britain was clothed in tropical forest. The size of a small, chunky pony, it was a browsing mammal some 2 metres long and 1.3 metres high.”
A life reconstruction of Palaeotherium magnum. Picture credit: Mark Witton.
The restored sculpture was unveiled at a special ceremony at Crystal Palace Park today (2nd July, 2023). As part of the events to commemorate the return of Palaeotherium, visitors were offered a conducted tour of the site.
A big crowd gathered to witness the Palaeotherium unveiling. Picture credit: Neil Scott-Sills.
Palaeotherium Project is Part of a Wider Initiative
The Palaeotherium project is part of a wider initiative to revive and conserve the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs site. Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, Historic England, the new Crystal Palace Park Trust and Bromley Council have been working together to develop a plan to protect the site. The resurrection of Palaeotherium magnum highlights a more optimistic, entertaining and enlightening future for one of the UK’s most iconic greenspaces.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the London Natural History Museum in the compilation of this article.
How did our species evolve? What does our evolutionary history tell us about being human? These questions and many more are posed in a fascinating new book edited by a leading researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. Entitled “Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”, this new publication provides an insightful analysis into the origins and the future of our species.
Research scientist Sergio Almécija has compiled an eminent list of contributors. These experts, drawn from a variety of academic fields, share their insights on the study of human evolution. Leading figures in palaeontology, primatology, archaeology, genetics and anthropology reflect on some of the most profound questions centred around being human.
The front cover of the recently published book “Humans – Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Evolution of Homo sapiens
Sergio Almécija has been fascinated by the multiple narratives surrounding our origins, behaviours and the prospects for our future. He has taken an innovative approach to his subject. A list of questions was compiled and then he contacted leading academics and researchers and recorded their thoughts.
Some of the questions included are:
Which discovery, research study, or book would you highlight as a “game changer” in the way we look at our own evolution? How did it influence your career or life?
If you had a one-shot round trip in a time machine, to which specific time period—past or future—would you go and why?
What will be shaping human evolution in the future? What will humans look like in 100, 100,000, or 1 million years?
How did our species evolve? Why us and not other hominids? What does it mean to be human? A new book examining human evolution with contributions from over a hundred leading academics and experts. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Perspectives on our Evolution
The eminent and accomplished cast of contributors to this new book includes Kay Behrensmeyer, Frans de Waal, Nina Jablonski, Mike Benton, Richard Leakey, Robert Sapolsky, and Ian Tattersall. In total, there are contributions from over a hundred distinguished scientists and researchers.
Published by Columbia University Press, “Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”, is a remarkable book. It has been designed to permit the reader to dip in and out of it, to explore a variety of topics and to gain fresh insights and perspectives.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Highly respected researchers at the very top of their game provide an insightful and informative examination of what it is like to be human. It is a very fitting compendium that caters for an essential human characteristic – our curiosity.”
“Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts” – The Details
Published by Columbia University Press. Available in both paperback, e-book and hardcover. ISBN (Paperback) = 9780231201216. Pages = 520.
Search for the author (Sergio Almécija) or by book title.
Contributors opine on the fundamental relationship our species has with the natural world and remark upon the key moments in time that have driven human evolution. In addition, many contributors provide invaluable advice for those members of our species considering embarking on similar careers.
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson added:
“This book allows the reader to explore a cornucopia of ideas about humanity, our past, present and future. It is an engaging publication, a book that will leave you with a deep sense of wonder.”
A newly discovered ornithopod dinosaur is helping to document faunal turnover in the early Late Cretaceous of North America. The dinosaur, named Iani smithi has been classified as a basal member of the Rhabdodontomorpha. This type of dinosaur is distantly related to the duck-billed dinosaurs (Hadrosauridae), which were to become extremely common by the Late Cretaceous.
The plant-eating I. smithi lived when the Earth was undergoing an intensive period of climate change. Global populations of dinosaurs were changing. Many long-established clades were dying out, being replaced with different types of dinosaur that were to dominate terrestrial environments until the end of the Mesozoic.
A life reconstruction of a juvenile Iani smithi. I. smithi an ornithopod from the Cedar Mountain Formation of Utah. Picture credit: Jorge Gonzalez.
Iani smithi
Described from fossils excavated in 2014 from a quarry within the lower Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation (Utah), the single specimen is thought to represent a juvenile. The fossil material consists of a disarticulated skull, vertebrae, limb elements, parts of the pectoral and pelvic girdles and ribs.
Researchers estimate that Iani lived approximately 99 million years ago (Cenomanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). The Earth was rapidly warming due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Sea levels were rising and this dramatic period of climate change, known as the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum (KTM), led to extensive faunal turnover.
In North America, sauropods became rarer and eventually extinct (probably). Smaller ornithischian dinosaur clades began to dominate terrestrial environments. Spinosaurids and carcharodontosaurids were in decline. These theropods were eventually replaced by tyrannosaurs and abelisaurids.
This dramatic faunal turnover is reflected in the dinosaur’s name. The genus honours Janus – the two-faced Roman god of change.
The species name honours Joshua Aaron Smith. It is in recognition of his contribution to the discovery and conservation of paleontological resources in Utah.
A Rarity in North America
Iani smithi will help palaeontologists to better understand the transition of the Ornithopoda from Early Cretaceous groups to those bird-hipped dinosaurs that dominated Late Cretaceous terrestrial environments. Early rhabdodontomorphs such as Iani are exceptionally rare in the North American fossil record.
Corresponding author of the scientific paper, Lindsay Zanno (North Carolina State University) commented:
“Finding Iani was a streak of luck. We knew something like it lived in this ecosystem because isolated teeth had been collected here and there, but we weren’t expecting to stumble upon such a beautiful skeleton, especially from this time in Earth’s history. Having a nearly complete skull was invaluable for piecing the story together.”
A Phylogenetic Assessment of Iani smithi
Zanno and her team used the well-preserved skeleton to analyse the evolutionary relationships of Iani and were surprised, and at first sceptical of their findings.
Associate research professor Lindsay Zanno explained:
“We recovered Iani as an early rhabdodontomorph, a lineage of ornithopods known almost exclusively from Europe. Recently, palaeontologists proposed that another North American dinosaur, Tenontosaurus – which was as common as cattle in the Early Cretaceous – belongs to this group, as well as some Australian critters. If Iani holds up as a rhabdodontomorph, it raises a lot of cool questions.”
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Tenontosaurus model.
The picture (above) shows a model of Tenontosaurus from the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular range.
The research team speculate that Iani could be the last of its line. Studying this fossil specimen, in the context of environmental and biodiversity changes during the Cretaceous will provide insight into the history of our planet.
Lindsay Zanno added:
“Iani may be the last surviving member of a lineage of dinosaurs that once thrived here in North America but were eventually supplanted by duckbill dinosaurs. Iani was alive during this transition, so this dinosaur really does symbolise a changing planet.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the North Carolina State University in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “An early-diverging iguanodontian (Dinosauria: Rhabdodontomorpha) from the Late Cretaceous of North America” by Lindsay E. Zanno, Terry A. Gates, Haviv M. Avrahami, Ryan T. Tucker and Peter J. Makovicky published in PLoS One.
Amongst the many exhibits at the “Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur” exhibition is a theropod replica skull. Team members visited the exhibition and marvelled at the dinosaur’s model skull. If we recall correctly, it was a replica of a Mapusaurus fossil skull. The “Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur” exhibition is currently at the London Natural History Museum.
A view of the Mapusaurus replica skull on display at the London Natural History Museum (Patagotitan exhibition). In this view the skull looks narrow and elongated. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mapusaurus roseae
Mapusaurus (M. roseae), has been classified as a member of the Carcharodontosauridae family. More specifically, this huge theropod is regarded by many palaeontologists as a sister taxon to Giganotosaurus. As such, it has been classified in the tribe Giganotosaurini alongside Giganotosaurus carolinii.
The changing Mapusaurus models 2012 – 2020 (CollectA).
The picture (above) shows how Mapusaurus models have changed over the last few years as more carcharodontosaurid fossils have been found. These models are all CollectA replicas.
Palaeontologists know that large carcharodontosaurids coexisted with titanosaurs like Patagotitan (P. mayorum). It has been postulated that theropods did hunt titanosaurs. Perhaps carnivores mobbed sick, old or juvenile members of the herd. It is hard to imagine a single 13-metre-long carnivore being able to subdue an adult Patagotitan that measured more than 30 metres in length.
A carcharodontosaurid skull is included in the exhibit. We think this is a replica of the skull of Mapusaurus roseae. Mapusaurus is geologically younger than Patagotitan. The dating of volcanic ash layers associated with the Patagotitan deposits suggest that this dinosaur lived approximately 100 million years ago.
The Mapusaurus skull replica looks shorter and broader when viewed from 90 degrees. Compare this view with the Mapusaurus skull photograph at the top of the article. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
M. roseae fossils are associated with the Huincul Formation, these are younger strata than the rocks associated with Patagotitan fossil material. Mapusaurus lived approximately 96-94 million years ago.
To read Everything Dinosaur’s earlier blog post looking at a trio of carcharodontosaurid dinosaurs: A Trio of Carcharodontosaurids.
There is a carcharodontosaurid that comes from the same Member of the Cerro Barcino Formation as Patagotitan. This dinosaur is Tyrannotitan chubutensis, another giant member of the Giganotosaurini tribe. Tyrannotitan may have hunted and attacked Patagotitan.
Cladogram depicting the temporal and geographical distribution of the Carcharodontosauridae family of theropod dinosaurs. At the time of their extinction these meat-eating dinosaurs seem to have been at their peak diversity. Picture credit: Canale et al.
The cladogram (above) shows the estimated temporal range for several theropod dinosaurs associated with the carcharodontosaurid lineage. Tyrannotitan was not contemporaneous with Mapusaurus.
