Mike | Everything Dinosaur Blog

7 12, 2023

Five-star Feefo Feedback for Everything Dinosaur from Germany

By Mike|2024-03-09T15:02:14+00:00December 7th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur receives lots of five-star feedback from customers. Today, we highlight some five-star Feefo feedback sent by a customer in Germany. The UK-based mail order company has thousands of customers in Europe. Everything Dinosaur has developed an excellent reputation for customer service.

Five-star Feefo feedback from Germany. — *Five-star feedback from a customer in Germany. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Five-star Feefo Feedback from All Over the World

Over the last thirty days (November 7th 2023 – December 7th 2023), Everything Dinosaur has received a total of twenty-seven Feefo customer service reviews. All of these rate our customer service as five-star. Over this same period, we have also received sixty product reviews all of them rating our models and figures as excellent.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is wonderful to receive feedback from all over the world. We have many customers in Europe, and we welcome their comments and views.”

The German-speaking customer commented:

“Sehr guter Service, rasche Lieferung, schöne Figuren, besonders aus der neuen Serie (Halonggood).”

This translates as:

“Very good service, fast delivery, beautiful figures, especially from the new series (Haolonggood).”

Haolonggood model boxes ready for packing. — A total of nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models were in the first shipment of figures from China. Ten different genera of dinosaur are represented. These models have received praise from many customers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Haolonggood figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models.

Replying to our German Customer

Where possible, we try to reply in the language of the customer. Thanks to Generative AI this is relatively easy to do. A team member replied stating:

“Ich danke Ihnen für Ihre freundlichen Worte. Wir werden bald mehr Haolonggood Figuren auf Lager haben.”

This translates as:

“Thank you for your kind words. We will have more Haolonggood figures in stock soon.”

Replying in a customer’s own language, it’s all part of our customer service.

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

6 12, 2023

A Fun Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity for Young Children

By Mike|2024-03-09T15:03:00+00:00December 6th, 2023|Categories: Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Schools|0 Comments

Whilst sorting our image archive, we came across a super example of a dinosaur themed teaching activity. In December 2019 Everything Dinosaur visited Greenhill Primary in Bury (Greater Manchester). The teaching team had invited us in to help with the Year 1 term topic. The children had been learning all about dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. One of the areas of learning the teachers wanted to focus upon was improving literacy.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity

The dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team had prepared a comprehensive term topic. A topic that would appeal to a variety of learning styles. The children were excited and keen to demonstrate their knowledge.

Dinosaurs appeal to children. Many are fascinated by them, and a clever term topic can really engage young minds. If the children are motivated and enthused, they will quickly develop new skills and gain confidence with writing and reading.

The colourful drawings of prehistoric animals posted around the classroom helped to encourage the pupils in their own creative writing.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

5 12, 2023

Caldey Draws a Beautiful Bistahieversor.

By Mike|2023-12-05T15:18:33+00:00December 5th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Our thanks to Caldey who sent into Everything Dinosaur her illustration of the tyrannosaur Bistahieversor sealeyi. It is a beautiful Bistahieversor drawing. We think this piece of artwork was inspired by the recently introduced Beasts of the Mesozoic 1/18th scale Bistahieversor sealeyi figure. Congratulations Caldey, it is a stunning illustration.

Picture credit: Caldey

A Beautiful Bistahieversor

Teeth representing a tyrannosaur had been discovered in sediments associated with the Hunter Wash Member of the Kirtland Formation (New Mexico). Skeletal material representing a juvenile tyrannosaur was found and in 1997 the remains of a much larger animal were discovered. These remains represented an adult which would have measured over eight metres long. Bistahieversor was formally named and described in 2010 (Carr and Williamson). The species name honours Paul Sealey, a museum volunteer who found the adult specimen.

*The Beasts of the Mesozoic Bistahieversor sealeyi box. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from the UK mail order company stated:

“The colourful Beasts of the Mesozoic figures have inspired many young artists to create illustrations. Caldey’s beautiful Bistahieversor drawing is a wonderful example. The detail that Caldey has captured is stunning and we love the way in which she has depicted the nasal crest associated with this theropod dinosaur.”

Our thanks to Caldey for sending in her wonderful dinosaur drawing.

4 12, 2023

New “Prehistoric Times” Issue Reviewed

By Mike|2024-01-01T16:08:05+00:00December 4th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Prehistoric Times|5 Comments

The latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine has arrived at Everything Dinosaur. This is the autumn (fall) edition of this popular, quarterly magazine.

The front cover artwork featuring the theropod dinosaur Concavenator was provided by the talented Spanish artist Daniel Navarro.

The front cover of "Prehistoric Times" issue 147. — *The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” issue 147. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The featured prehistoric animals are Ornitholestes and the Early Cretaceous mammal Repenomamus. These articles feature some superb reader submitted artwork. Our congratulations to M. Elliot Massion, Wade Carmen and Samuel Pickens for their Ornitholestes illustrations. Cover artist Daniel Navarro provides a dramatic Repenomamus attacking Psittacosaurus illustration and congratulations also to Jaime Martinez for the fantastic Repenomamus sculpture.

Look out for a Dromaeosaurus illustration in right lateral view by our chum Tim Bollinger. In addition, Fabio Pastori highlights Spinosaurus complete with accompanying butterflies.

Burian Features in “Prehistoric Times”

Jon Lavas continues his long-running series discussing the influential artwork of Zdeněk Burian. In this edition, he features xenarthrans and how Burian painted these bizarre American mammals. The detailed and highly informative article includes a number of artworks. The depiction of several different types of ground sloth are particularly impressive, as are the reference materials reflecting glyptodonts.

Glyptodonts depicted in "Prehistoric Times" magazine issue 147. — *The image of glyptodonts (Doedicurus foreground and Glyptodon (background) that features in the account of Burian’s depiction of xenarthrans in issue 147. Picture credit: Robert B. Horsfall.*

Tracy Lee Ford examines the scales of more advanced theropods in his regular feature entitled “How to Draw Dinosaurs” and editor Mike Fredericks summarises new book releases. Julian Michael Carver concludes his short story and Randy Knol updates collectors about the latest model releases.

It was great to see the stunning Sauriermuseum Aathal in Switzerland featured. Our thanks to John F. Davies for his excellent article. It was also a pleasure to read John Navroth’s account of the filming of “The Lost World”, the cinematic adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel of the same name. Any article featuring an image of stop motion pioneer Willis O’Brien is fine by us. As Mike Fredericks (editor) comments, perhaps this article is a prelude to a later piece that will feature the classic “King Kong” film from 1933.

We shall have to keep subscribing to find out.

To learn more about “Prehistoric Times” magazine: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

3 12, 2023

Advice on Posting Dates for Christmas

By Mike|2023-12-04T15:23:11+00:00December 3rd, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The holiday season is very nearly upon us. It is that time of year when Everything Dinosaur is busy packing and despatching orders in time for the festivities. As always, we have contacted Royal Mail and can provide an update on the recommended last posting dates for Christmas.

Everything Dinosaur team members have been working extremely hard to stay on top of orders and to ensure parcels are despatched quickly. Our staff will do all they can to assist customers. We recommend that shoppers place orders as early as possible to give us every opportunity to get parcels out to customers.

We have published (below) a helpful table from Royal Mail outlining the last recommended posting dates:

Last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2023. — *A table showing the last recommended posting dates for parcels in time for the festive season (December 25th) – 2023.*

Table credit: Royal Mail

For dinosaur themed toys, models and games visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

Last Recommended Posting Dates for 2023

The last recommended posting dates for Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, the Middle East and the Far East is this Wednesday (6th December).

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This time of year the mail network is getting extremely busy. We are doing all we can to pack and despatch parcels quickly. Customers are advised to place their orders as early as possible.”

Helpful Tips and Advice

Here are our top tips to ensure you have a happy and stress-free mail order experience:

Please remember to include the house name or house number with the delivery address information that you provide with your order.
Remember to check the postcode/zip code.
Before finally hitting the “submit” button to send an order to Everything Dinosaur, it is a good idea to check the delivery address for one last time.
PayPal and in our own website’s ordering process, customers can include a message to Everything Dinosaur in the order message box. You can use this message box to inform us about any special delivery circumstances that you might have.
Everything Dinosaur’s website makes it easy for you to specify a different delivery address to your billing address, perhaps you want to send a parcel to work or to a relative.
If you do decide to send an item to your work address, (assuming that you are not working from home), please ensure that you include the company name in the delivery address details. Please remember to check the postcode or zip code.
You can always specify a neighbour’s address, or a designated safe place where the parcel can be delivered to if you will be out when the delivery is likely to occur.

For further advice and information, you are welcome to contact Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

For dinosaur and prehistoric animal models: Prehistoric Animal Models.

2 12, 2023

Additional Notes on the New for 2024 CollectA Velociraptor

By Mike|2023-12-12T08:32:47+00:00December 2nd, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

On November 7th, 1924, the American Museum of Natural History published a short, scientific paper written by Henry Fairfield Osborn which described three types of new theropod dinosaur based on fossils from the Djadochta Formation (Gobi Desert). The first theropod documented was Velociraptor mongoliensis. Its description being based on a skull and jaws (specimen number A. M. 6515) along with additional material including the scythe-like second toe claw, although in the paper this was misidentified, it was thought the claw came from a first finger of the hand.

CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor wing. — *A close-up view of the detailed wing. In the 1924 scientific paper describing V. mongoliensis, the second toe claw was thought to have come from a finger. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For dinosaur and prehistoric animal figures: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Velociraptor mongoliensis – “Alert, Swift-moving Carnivorous Dinosaur”

Osborn surmised that these fossils represented an “alert, swift-moving carnivorous dinosaur”, hence the genus name Velociraptor which translates as “swift thief” or “speedy robber”. At the time Velociraptor was thought to be a diminutive member of the Megalosauridae. Over the last hundred years, more than a dozen Velociraptor mongoliensis skeletons have been found. As our understanding of theropod taxonomy has developed, these types of dinosaur, the swift lizards, the dromaeosaurs are now known to be very distantly related to the megalosaur family.

The skull was found on August 11th, 1923, by expedition member Peter Kaisen. Ironically, it was found lying alongside the skull of a Protoceratops (Protoceratops andrewsi) and indeed, ever since, these two dinosaurs Protoceratops andrewsi and Velociraptor mongoliensis have been linked together as predator and prey. Perhaps most spectacularly in the remarkable “fighting dinosaurs” specimen that preserves a Velociraptor and Protoceratops locked in mortal combat.

Protoceratops skeleton on display. — *A skeleton of a Protoceratops on display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The New CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor (2024 Release)

Whilst the new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor does not show signs of an encounter with a Protoceratops, it does reflect Osborn’s original view of this being an “alert, swift-moving carnivorous dinosaur”.
In addition, the figure reflects some of the very latest research into members of the Maniraptora. In 2023, researchers from the University of Tokyo applied a statistical analysis on forelimb structure that demonstrated that dinosaurs like Velociraptor had a propatagium (pronounced pro-pah-ta-gee-um). This is a soft tissue structure that joins the wrists and the shoulders. This structure is seen in living, volant birds. It helps with the wing flapping motion and provides a leading edge to the wing. Without this structure, birds could not fly.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article about this research: Some Theropod Dinosaurs had a Propatagium.

Why Did Velociraptor have a Propatagium?

Velociraptor could not fly, so why did it have a propatagium? This has been the subject of much debate amongst palaeontologists. Perhaps it had a role in visual display. Perhaps it acted as an additional stabiliser as the animal turned swiftly, or maybe it demonstrated fitness for breeding. It has been suggested that an enlarged surface area of the forelimb would have been beneficial in helping to shade eggs or perhaps it played some other role in the brooding process.

The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor model. — *CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor model.*

Whatever the reason or reasons for the propatagium, it is great to see CollectA have incorporated some of the very latest research into their commemorative Velociraptor figure.

To view the CollectA Deluxe model range: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

1 12, 2023

Maintenance on the Everything Dinosaur Blog

By Mike|2023-12-29T15:58:38+00:00December 1st, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The Everything Dinosaur blog has been undergoing scheduled maintenance. Visitors to the site will not notice any differences. However, as the weblog is vast, it is important to keep links and references valid. To date, team members have posted up over 6,500 articles. The blog was started in May 2007 and team members have strived to post up a new article every day since.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Everything Dinosaur Blog

A spokesperson confirmed that each article was being checked to ensure references were accurate. This is a vast undertaking with an estimated 200,000 lines of text to be examined. Team members began work on this a while ago. It is hoped that the current maintenance task will be completed by early 2024.

The spokesperson added:

“Our weblog has proved to be an invaluable resource for teachers, academics, collectors and dinosaur fans. We aim to keep it relevant and up to date. With thousands of articles, hundreds of images and video links too, this is an arduous task.”

Site visitors will not be inconvenienced by the scheduled maintenance. The spokesperson confirmed that the housekeeping aspect of this maintenance would be completed promptly, and that the maintenance programme should be finished by the Chinese New Year.

In the meantime, visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

30 11, 2023

New CollectA Diprotodon Drawing

By Mike|2023-12-17T15:19:21+00:00November 30th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has commissioned a CollectA Diprotodon drawing. The illustration of the largest marsupial known to science is to be used in a Diprotodon fact sheet. The fact sheet will be available from Everything Dinosaur with sales of the new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Diprotodon model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Diprotodon Drawing

The illustration will be modified, and a human figure added for scale. This drawing will then provide fact sheet readers with a visual size guide for this herbivore. The CollectA Deluxe Diprotodon is a male, and the illustration will reflect this. Males were much larger than females, perhaps reaching a length of four metres or more. The shoulder height of a fully grown male Diprotodon was around 1.8 metres.

The CollectA Diprotodon model will be available from Everything Dinosaur in 2024.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe prehistoric animal models in stock: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Models.

CollectA Deluxe Diprotodon model. — *CollectA Diprotodon has a torn ear. It is likely big males fought each other for mating rates, territory and social status.*

The CollectA Diprotodon figure will have a torn ear. An injury sustained most probably in a fight with another male. However, our Diprotodon illustration shows this powerful marsupial with its left ear restored.

Educating and Informing

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that fact sheets were sent out with most of the models the company supplies as these fact sheets help to inform customers about prehistoric animals and palaeontology.

The spokesperson added:

“The fact sheet will be researched and written in plenty of time for the arrival of the CollectA Deluxe Diprotodon. We expect the Diprotodon model to be available around the middle of next year.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

29 11, 2023

An Exciting Dinosaur Themed Gift

By Mike|2023-12-17T17:27:24+00:00November 29th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Team members from Everything Dinosaur spotted an unusual dinosaur themed gift. Whilst on their travels they spotted a pair of dinosaur themed wellingtons. The blue boots had been decorated with various colourful dinosaurs.

*A dinosaur themed gift. Would Everything Dinosaur team members want a pair of these dinosaur wellington boots? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For inspiring dinosaur themed gifts and toys: Dinosaur Themed Toys and Gifts.

Looking Out for a Dinosaur Themed Gift

Everything Dinosaur team members are always looking for unusual dinosaur themed gift ideas. The wellington boots feature stegosaurs, sauropods and theropod dinosaurs. The boots look very comfortable, however, we did not try on a pair.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Dinosaurs have great public relations. They seem to be featured on all sorts of merchandise. We were impressed with these colourful wellington boots. It is not something we would consider stocking. After all, we have around 1,000 product lines already. However, seeing the boots made our day.”

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

28 11, 2023

New CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor Model Video Review

By Mike|2023-12-13T21:48:04+00:00November 28th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

The next Everything Dinosaur YouTube review will feature the recently announced new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor model. It is likely to be posted up on the company’s YouTube channel in a few days. The video will feature an early prototype Velociraptor figure.

Team members will review the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor model, a figure which is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2024.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel contains dozens of CollectA model video reviews. We have plans to release a video highlighting all seven of the new for 2024 CollectA prehistoric animal figures.

Everything Dinosaur on YouTube: The Company YouTube Channel.

The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor Model

The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor is in approximate 1:6 scale. The early prototype figure we highlight in the video review is about the actual size of the production figures. It measures 32 cm long. At a scale of 1:6 a fully-grown Velociraptor would be 1.92 metres in length. At this size, it is within the parameters for Velociraptor mongoliensis proposed by most palaeontologists.

To view the range of CollectA scale models available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Figures.

The Velociraptor genus was erected in 1924, when Velociraptor mongoliensis was formally described (Osborn). CollectA plans to introduce a new, updated Velociraptor to celebrate a hundred years since this dinosaur was named.

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

About Mike

Five-star Feefo Feedback from All Over the World

Replying to our German Customer

Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity

A Beautiful Bistahieversor

Burian Features in “Prehistoric Times”

Last Recommended Posting Dates for 2023

Helpful Tips and Advice

Velociraptor mongoliensis – “Alert, Swift-moving Carnivorous Dinosaur”

The New CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor (2024 Release)

Why Did Velociraptor have a Propatagium?

The Everything Dinosaur Blog

CollectA Diprotodon Drawing

Educating and Informing

Looking Out for a Dinosaur Themed Gift

The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor Model