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.
What is Everything Dinosaur’s favourite dinosaur? This question was asked recently and although we are fascinated with lots of prehistoric animals, a quick discussion revealed that our favourite dinosaur is Protoceratops.
Palaeontologists can study Protoceratops (there are now two recognised species) at various growth stages from embryos in eggs to extremely old, mature adults.
The “sheep of the Cretaceous”. Protoceratops replica fossil skeleton (top) and (bottom) a life reconstruction of this small ceratopsid. Picture credit (top): Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit (bottom): Zhao Chuang.
The “Sheep of the Cretaceous”
Nicknamed the “sheep of the Cretaceous” due to the relatively abundant fossil material. This dinosaur, distantly related to Triceratops and Styracosaurus was formally described 100 years ago (Granger and Gregory,1923). Two species are recognised Protoceratops andrewsi and P. hellenikorhinus (Lambert et al 2001).
The Wild Past Protoceratops (P. andrewsi) next to a geology ruler to show scale. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows the Wild Past Protoceratops dinosaur model. It is a small figure, but it does come supplied with a nest and an Everything Dinosaur fact sheet.
We have learned a lot about dinosaurs thanks to Protoceratops. It may not be the biggest dinosaur, but this herbivore has played a significant role in helping us to understand more about the Dinosauria and as such we will always regard this animal as something special.
If you visit a Natural History Museum, chances are that somewhere in the dinosaur gallery you will find Protoceratops. It is usually tucked away and it’s never going to attract the visitors like a T. rex, or a Triceratops (distantly related to Protoceratops), but go take a look, as I promise, you will probably learn something new about dinosaurs that you didn’t know before.
New research using complex mathematical models has proposed that placental mammals co-existed with dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous. Using sophisticated Bayesian statistical analysis an international team of researchers have estimated that placental mammals originated during the Late Cretaceous. However, it was only after the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs that modern, recognisable lineages of placentals were able to diversify.
Debate has long raged amongst researchers over whether placental mammals were present alongside the dinosaurs before the mass extinction, or whether they only evolved after the non-avian dinosaur extinction. Fossils of placental mammals are only found in rocks younger than 66 million years old, after the end-Cretaceous extinction event. This suggests that the group evolved after the demise of the non-avian Dinosauria. However, molecular clock data indicates that placental mammals originated earlier.
When Did Placental Mammals Evolve?
Writing in the academic journal “Current Biology”, a team of researchers including palaeobiologists from the University of Bristol, the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and scientists from Sweden used a complex statistical analysis to confirm placental mammals co-existed the dinosaurs.
Lead author of the study Emily Carlisle (School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol) commented:
“We pulled together thousands of fossils of placental mammals and were able to see the patterns of origination and extinction of the different groups. Based on this, we could estimate when placental mammals evolved.”
PhD student Emily Carlisle (University of Bristol), the lead author of the paper. Picture credit: Emily Carlisle.
Co-author Daniele Silvestro (University of Fribourg) explained:
“The model we used estimates origination ages based on when lineages first appear in the fossil record and the pattern of species diversity through time for the lineage. It can also estimate extinction ages based on last appearances when the group is extinct.”
Placental Mammals Co-existed with Dinosaurs
The analysis indicates that primates (the ancestors of humans) probably evolved just before the K-Pg mass extinction event. In addition, the Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and the Carnivora were shown to have evolved when non-avian dinosaurs still roamed. The Carnivora is an extremely diverse Order of placental mammals. It includes cats, dogs, hyenas, civets, mongooses, bears, raccoons, pinnipeds (seals) and the mustelids (weasels, otters and their relatives).
Co-author Professor Phil Donoghue (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol) added:
“By examining both origins and extinctions, we can more clearly see the impact of events such as the K-Pg mass extinction or the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A timescale for placental mammal diversification based on Bayesian modelling of the fossil record” by Emily Carlisle, Christine M. Janis, Davide Pisani, Philip C. J. Donoghue and Daniele Silvestro published in Current Biology.
Our thanks to editor Mike Fredericks who sent into Everything Dinosaur an image of the front cover of the next edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine. The next issue (summer 2023) is due to be despatched to the printers tomorrow.
The front cover of the next issue of Prehistoric Times magazine (issue 146 – summer 2023). Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.
“Prehistoric Times” Magazine
This quarterly magazine is extremely popular with dinosaur fans and prehistoric animal model collectors. Each issue features lots of amazing reader submitted artwork. The two prehistoric animals to be reviewed by Phil Hore are Tullimonstrum and Thescelosaurus.
In his email to Everything Dinosaur, editor Mike Fredericks stated:
“The new issue goes to the printer tomorrow. I think it will be an extra special issue. I interview a guy that creates 3D printed dinosaur models, and I interview the writers and artist of the beautiful new book Prehistoric Australasia.”
The magazine has been published for more than thirty years. It has thousands of subscribers all over the world. Produced in the USA “Prehistoric Times” has a worldwide customer base. It has thousands of readers in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and it is extremely popular amongst Canadian dinosaur fans.
Issue 146 (Summer 2023)
Issue 146 (summer 2023) will include regular features such as news updates, model reviews and book launches. Expect more from Tracy Lee Ford in the excellent how to draw dinosaurs series. In this issue, Greg Paul provides his views on the influential artist Zdeněk Burian and Kenneth Carpenter tells of a new prehistoric national monument. In a few short weeks, the next issue will be landing in mailboxes.
Readers can expect prehistoric animal model reviews and an update on rare collectables from Randy Knol.
A baby frog spotted by an Everything Dinosaur team member close to the company’s office pond. This is the first frog observed from this year’s breeding season. The tiny frog (Rana temporaria) was observed in a small patch of gravel. This area has been left and weeds allowed to grow, thus providing shelter and habitat for animal’s leaving the pond.
Can you spot the frog? The baby frog that recently emerged from the office pond. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Baby Frog Spotted (Rana temporaria)
The frog is a Common Frog (Rana temporaria). In common with all British amphibians this frog is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Garden ponds are an increasingly important habitat for them. In return, they help keep slug and snail numbers down. In short, amphibians like the Common Frog are the gardener’s friend.
The first batch of frogspawn was laid in the office pond on February 28th. This is the earliest recorded date for frogs spawning in our pond. We suspect that the spotting of a baby frog on the evening of 24th June is the earliest recorded date for observing a frog from that year’s breeding season.
A close-up view of the tiny, baby frog spotted near to the office pond. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Doing Our Bit for Conservation
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that team members had been busy looking after the office pond and removing excessive algae on a regular basis. The water level is quite low, but the pond is being carefully monitored to ensure it remains an attractive habitat for fauna and flora.
Recently, some oxygenating hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) was introduced to the pond. This plant will grow rapidly and help to combat the excessive growth of any algae. It is hardy, tough and fast growing. Hopefully, the introduction of this oxygenator will help to keep the pond in good condition and encourage lots of wildlife.
The spokesperson added:
“We like doing our bit for conservation. Many ponds around us have been filled in and we are pleased that our little pond is helping to maintain the local frog population. We shall keep observing the pond area, we might spot more baby frogs.”
Visit Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.
The appearance of Tyrannosaurus rex continues to be a source of fascination for vertebrate palaeontologists and dinosaur fans of all ages. For example, the debate about whether the “King of the Tyrant Lizards” was covered in a coat of feathers remains a hot topic. We are likely to remain wrapped up in the integumentary covering of T. rex controversy for the foreseeable future. That’s not the only issue with this tyrannosaur that is preoccupying scientists and academics at present. For an informative and enjoyable guide to the scientific debate grab a copy of “The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers”. This new book about T. rex will be published in August (2023).
The front cover of “The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers” written by Dr Adam Smith and Jonathan Emmett. Picture credit: UClan Publishing/Stieven Van der Poorten.
Dr Adam Smith
Talented author and palaeontologist Dr Adam Smith, working with Jonathan Emmett, a distinguished writer of books for children, has penned a helpful guide to this scientific debate. The premise of this delightful book, revolves around a know-it-all Velociraptor informing our eponymous hero that he looks old-fashioned and needs a makeover.
With an improved posture, some restyled body parts and a coat of shaggy feathers, T. rex gets a new look to match the latest scientific research.
“The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers”
Illustrated by Stieven Van der Poorten and aimed at young readers from six years and upwards “The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers” explains how new fossils and advances in scientific analysis have transformed our perceptions regarding this famous, apex predator.
Tyrannosaurus rex gets a makeover. A book explaining how our pecerptions about T. rex have changed. Picture credit: UClan Publishing/Stieven Van der Poorten.
Dr Smith has a passion for dinosaurs and marine reptiles. He has written more than twenty research papers and named several prehistoric animals. A curator at the Nottingham Natural History Museum at Wollaton Hall, Dr Smith looks after the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
To read an Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”, the first collaboration between Dr Adam Smith and Jonathan Emmett: “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is an amusing and well-crafted book. It explains how our views regarding Tyrannosaurus rex has changed since it was first named and described more than a century ago. It’s going to be essential reading for young dinosaur fans.”
“The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers” – Book Details
Publisher: UClan Publishing
Published 3rd August 2023 | Price: £7.99 | Pages: 32 6 plus| Paperback | ISBN: 9781915235596
Another Friday and another busy day packing orders for Everything Dinosaur customers. We had been emailed by a customer asking for a photograph of the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor 1/6th scale model. The customer requested that we confirm that the figure in stock on our website was indeed the genuine article. We were happy to email over some photographs. There was time to take a close-up view of this scale dinosaur model.
A close up view of the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
One of the first dinosaur models made by CollectA was a small, grey-coloured Velociraptor figure. A Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor was added to the company’s scale model range in 2011. This hand-painted replica measures approximately 32 cm in length. It has a head height of 12 cm. The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Velociraptor mongoliensis fact sheet.
Velociraptor is a popular prehistoric animal. It tends to feature in the top five of Everything Dinosaur’s surveys. Its popularity used to be down to its appearances in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” films. However, more recently a feathered, bird-like Velociraptor has been a star of the “Prehistoric Planet” television series (Apple+ TV).
The rare CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor model. This figure was first introduced in 2011 and is becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, Everything Dinosaur stocks this Velociraptor figure.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur spotted a resting dragonfly near the office pond. The insect had just completed its final moult. It was very early in the morning, we suspect this dragonfly had emerged from the water the previous night. The final moult stage for dragonflies can last several hours. During this time, these magnificent insects are vulnerable to predation from birds.
A beautiful dragonfly spotted near the office pond in the early morning. The warm and calm weather has encouraged these stunning insects to emerge. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A Resting Dragonfly
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that several exuvia (cast skins) had been discovered on the vegetation surrounding the office pond. This was the first time a resting dragonfly had been spotted this year (2023). The dragonfly could be a Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea).
The spokesperson explained that they did not want to get too close.
He added:
“It was wonderful to watch this stunning insect. We did not want to get too close as it had probably only just emerged from its final moult, and we did not want to startle it. Had the dragonfly been alarmed it might have damaged its beautiful wings.”
There was time to take a photograph and a few minutes later the dragonfly was airborne. It was ready to commence its life as an adult.
Everything Dinosaur has been sent two additional Prehistoric Planet II inspired dinosaur drawings by young artist Caldey. Both the illustrations feature young theropod dinosaurs. The drawings depict a juvenile Pectinodon and a Velociraptor hatchling. Our thanks to Caldey for sending into Everything Dinosaur her Prehistoric Planet drawings.
Caldey’s illustration of a juvenile Pectinodon. A wonderful drawing. Picture credit: Caldey.
Caldey has captured the animated Pectinodon beautifully. This lithe little dinosaur is depicted chasing after flies whilst an adult Pectinodon is hunting larger game.
Prehistoric Planet Television Series Inspires Young Artists
Everything Dinosaur team members have seen lots of superb illustrations of the prehistoric animals from the television series. Just like season one, Prehistoric Planet II has inspired a whole new generation of dinosaur fans.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Prehistoric Planet and the second series Prehistoric Planet II showed extinct creatures as living animals not movie monsters. The programmes were visually stunning. Our congratulations to all involved for depicting dinosaurs as animals with complex behaviours.”
Caldey’s illustration of a young Velociraptor. The stripes and patterns on the downy coat would help to camouflage this young dromaeosaurid. Picture credit: Caldey.
Caldey has carefully recreated the camouflaged coat of this young dromaeosaurid. This youngster would be vulnerable whilst the adults were away from the nesting site. Its dappled coat would help to keep it safe and hide it from the eyes of a passing predator.
Prehistoric Planet Drawings
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked Caldey for sending in her superb illustrations and stated.
“The second series of Prehistoric Planet has provided the inspiration for lots of prehistoric animal illustrations. The programmes introduced viewers to many more Mesozoic creatures. Artists and illustrators have been quick to produce artwork highlighting some of these new and amazing prehistoric animals.”
Our thanks to Caldey for providing the super illustrations.
The new for 2023 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus dinosaur model is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This colourful abelisaurid joins the other recently introduced theropod dinosaur Cryolophosaurus. A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur welcomed the Majungasaurus into stock and stated:
“Majungasaurus puts Madagascar on the map when it comes to Late Cretaceous theropods”.
The new for 2023 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus available from Everything Dinosaur.
This striking theropod measures over 25 cm (10 inches) in length. The majestic head is approximately 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) off the ground. The dinosaur model will be supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Majungasaurus fact sheet.
Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus in posterior view.
A Prehistoric World Majungasaurus
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson praised Safari Ltd for adding a Majungasaurus to their model range and commented that the American company certainly had a great sense of humour, as one of the images of the model depicted this dinosaur devouring a biscuit.
Tea and biscuits with a Majungasaurus.
The colour scheme chosen depicts counter shading and the red stripes give this dinosaur a fearsome appearance. Majungasaurus was the apex predator in its environment. The model has the tiny arms of a Late Cretaceous abelisaurid. It also has a dimpled skin texture. Everything Dinosaur team members are not sure as to whether skin impressions of Majungasaurus are known.
An analysis of a single bone from the arm of a dinosaur suggests that South African sauropodomorphs were more diverse than previously suspected. In addition, the study published in Royal Society Open Science, proposes that the fossil bone represents a new taxon. As an adult, with a body weight of around seventy-five kilograms, this dinosaur is one of the smallest sauropodomorph taxa known to science and the smallest reported to date from Jurassic sediments.
Not a Juvenile Massospondylus carinatus
The fossil bone, a humerus, was found in 1978. It comes from a dinosaur bonebed (Massospondylus Assemblage Zone) associated with the Elliot Formation of South Africa. It had been thought to represent a juvenile Massospondylus (M. carinatus).
A Massospondylus fossil skeleton replica on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Studying the Sauropoda
Sauropodomorph dinosaurs are famously represented by colossal giants like Diplodocus, Patagotitan and Argentinosaurus, reaching body masses up to 70 tonnes. The ancestors of these animals, however, have more humble beginnings.
The first members of the group appear in the Triassic (Carnian period, 233–231 million years ago), with very small sizes (less than 15 kilograms, for example Buriolestes schultzi from Brazil).
As time progressed into the Jurassic (Hettangian period, 200 million years ago), early branching sauropodomorphs evolved a diverse range of body sizes, postures, and ecological adaptations. At this point, sauropodomorphs of less than 1 tonne are rare, although taxa like Massospondylus carinatus (adult body mass of around half a tonne) occur at nearly all dinosaur-bearing localities worldwide and can be locally superabundant.
The Smallest Sauropodomorph
The sauropodomorph fossil humerus BP/1/4732 from the Free State of South Africa was believed to be a juvenile Massospondylus carinatus specimen until now. A recent morphological and osteohistological study found that it was in fact an adult individual of a new species of dinosaur. The latter would have a fully grown body mass of approximately 75 kilograms, making it the smallest known adult sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Jurassic, and the first one weighing less than 100 kilograms.
Left humerus (specimen number BP/1/4732) and stained cross section of bone providing evidence of the dinosaur’s age and maturity. Picture credit: Kimi Chapelle.
Dr Kimberley Chapelle, commented:
“Until now, we were unaware that early sauropodomorphs could reach such small sizes during the Jurassic period, so the smallest skeletons were assumed to belong to juvenile individuals. We can now reassess these skeletons discovered in southern Africa and hopefully find a more complete individual from which we can name a new species.”
Not Possible to Erect a New Genus
With just a single bone it is not possible to erect a new genus. Previously, all sauropodomorph fossils found in that locality were ascribed to Massospondylus. However, more detailed assessments of the fossil material revealed that some of the bones represent different genera. As a PhD student, Kimberley Chapelle worked on a set of fossils that led to the establishment of a new South African sauropodomorph species named Ngwevu intloko.
“Small ornithischian dinosaurs like Lesothosaurus first appeared in southern Africa during the Early Jurassic, and some scientists suggest they might have outcompeted early sauropodomorphs. I think this is unlikely, as many similarly sized mammals share similar niches today. Instead, it’s possible that sauropodomorphs lost the ability to stay this small as part of the evolution of large size, but we just don’t know.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the corresponding author in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Osteohistology reveals the smallest adult Jurassic sauropodomorph” by Kimberley E. J. Chapelle, Jennifer Botha and Jonah N. Choiniere published in Royal Society Open Science.
