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.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur was invited to address final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Mike of Everything Dinosaur had received some training from the University, taking part in a “Developing Innovation” programme. As a result of his connections to the University he was invited to present to the digital marketing students. The students are looking at Everything Dinosaur’s digital footprint and Google Analytics as part of their course. The aim is to provide them with a real business to study.
Everything Dinosaur team member Mike got asked lots of questions by the digital marketing students. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Everything Dinosaur Fielding Questions
Working with their teacher, Alexandra Severn (Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing Communications and Programme Leader), the students had compiled an extensive list of questions. The questions ranged from asking about our website, customer profiling and social media activities to enquiring about our favourite fossils. Fortunately, a fossil had been brought along. It is not very often a Woolly Rhinoceros dorsal vertebra takes part in a business school lecture.
One student asked:
“What was our favourite dinosaur?”
Ryan enquired:
“How sustainable is your operation? Do you consider the environmental impact at each stage of your operation?”
Amin wanted to know how the dinosaur models are made and are they made in a safe environment?
We hope the answers we provided were informative and helped the students to gain a better understanding of the business world. It was also a pleasure to be able to discuss some of the ways in which Everything Dinosaur has reduced its carbon footprint. In addition, our use of recycled cardboard and the replacement of compostable starch chips rather than using foam were highlighted.
Mike of Everything Dinosaur addressing the final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Commenting on the experience, Mike stated:
“It is nice to be able to give something back to the next generation. They had compiled a challenging set of questions, and I did my best to answer them all. It was a pretty intense session, but I got the chance to talk to some of the students afterwards and they wanted to have their photograph taken with the Woolly Rhino fossil.”
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
We can confirm that the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus model in stock has the anatomically correct manus (hand). When this figure was first produced, the hand on the model did not reflect the known fossil record. The Haolonggood design team were swift to respond and introduced a more accurate version shortly afterwards.
The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus model (WuJu) available from Everything Dinosaur has a more accurate manus compared to the previous version of this dinosaur figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A More Accurate Haolonggood Ouranosaurus Model
The picture (above) shows a close-up view of the manus of WuJu the green Ouranosaurus figure. The first digit, the thumb (pollex) has a stubby spike. Digits two, three and four were more robust, and were adapted for weight bearing. Please note, in the image above digit four is not visible. Digit five was reduced and had limited sideways movement. It was not prehensile and probably not used for grasping.
Everything Dinosaur congratulates the design team at Haolonggood for introducing a more accurate Ouranosaurus model.
Ouranosaurus was named and described in 1976 (Ouranosaurus nigeriensis) by the French palaeontologist Phillipe Taquet. Fossil specimens began to be put on display prior to the formal scientific description. This has led to some confusion over the identity of the fossil material. For example, it is now thought that the nearly complete specimen on display at the Natural History Museum of Venice represents the paratype. As a result of this confusion, some of the autapomorphies associated with the holotype that led to the erection of this genus has been challenged.
For example, the tail was described as relatively short. However, this may not be a unique characteristic and the absence of a complete set of caudal vertebrae may have led to this feature being over emphasised.
A pair of Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur models. WuJu is in the foreground whilst WuWei is in the background. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Our thanks to William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the PNSO Megalosaurus model. This dinosaur fan and model collector had been looking forward to this introduction. He purchased two models, and commented:
“I had heard rumours that PNSO might introduce a Megalosaurus. I thought we might get a model in 2024, the bicentenary of the scientific description of this dinosaur. However, PNSO introduced it this summer and I was happy. I decided to buy not one, but a pair of Megalosaurus bucklandii.”
The PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model is supplied with a transparent support stand. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Megalosaurus Model
The reviewer comments that “Edward” is posed in a neutral standing position, looking forward. The model’s colouration is praised, and the toothy, articulated jaw highlighted. William explains that this is the dinosaur he imagined when reading about big theropods like Megalosaurus when he was a child.
William added:
“We have a true and accurate model of Megalosaurus bucklandii. The PNSO Megalosaurus model “Edward” is the crowning glory of my collection.”
To view the PNSO range of prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
The Discovery of Megalosaurus
As well as providing a review of the PNSO figure, the reviewer summarised the history of the Megalosaurus fossil discoveries.
The new for 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
He explained that the lower jawbone was unearthed in an Oxfordshire quarry. This fossil and other material came into the possession of the Reverend William Buckland, the resident Professor of Geology at the University of Oxford. Examining the fossil, he realised that the fossil represented a reptile as the teeth erupted from sockets in the jaw. It was Buckland’s friend William Conybeare who named the fossil Megalosaurus.
At a meeting of the Geological Society of London on the 20th of February, 1824 the specimen was described. On that fateful day, the world was introduced to Megalosaurus and our fascination with the “terrible lizards” commenced.
The stunning new for early autumn 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model.
Our thanks to William for sending to Everything Dinosaur his review of the PNSO Megalosaurus model.
Everything Dinosaur received a request to take photographs of the recently introduced Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus model. We were happy to oblige. A dinosaur model fan asked whether we could take some photographs. They were unfamiliar with the Haolonggood range. The collector was particularly interested in the brown-coloured Pachyrhinosaurus.
The Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model (LvFang) photgraphed in the studio. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.
Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus (LvFang)
The Pachyrhinosaurus model measures 18 cm in length. That spectacular neck frill stands some 9 cm off the ground. The figure is in approximately 1:35 scale. There are two Pachyrhinosaurus figures in the current Haolonggood model range. LvFang is joined by the green-coloured Pachyrhinosaurus GeoSheng.
Take a look at the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur will shortly post up a brief video review of the CollectA Deluxe Koolasuchus model. This 1:20 scale figure is the first prehistoric amphibian to be made by CollectA. It is a magnificent model and team members have been keen to create a video review.
The CollectA Deluxe Koolasuchus video review titles. Everything Dinosaur intends to post up a short YouTube video review of this excellent figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
In the YouTube video, various details of the model will be highlighted. For example, the head of the CollectA Deluxe Koolasuchus is covered in a wonderful, criss-crossed, hatching effect. This patterning is typical of temnospondyls, in fact it is diagnostic. Should a palaeontologist encounter skull bones with a hatched, criss-crossed pattern, then it is extremely likely that they have discovered a temnospondyl fossil.
A close-up view of the head of the CollectA 1:20 scale Koolasuchus figure showing the detailed pattern on the head. This patterning on the skull is a characteristic of temnospondyls. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Question of the Day?
As the storyboard for the Everything Dinosaur YouTube video comes together, team members want to ask viewers a question. As this is the first prehistoric amphibian made by CollectA, are there other animals that collectors would like a model of?
In the video we will ask the question:
What other type of prehistoric amphibian would you like CollectA to make?
Perhaps collectors would like a replica of giant predator such as Mastodonsaurus? Might an Eryops figure prove popular?
Everything Dinosaur team members took a photograph of the Compsognathus fossil cast on display at the Manchester Museum of Natural History. This chicken-sized theropod is known from two specimens. One fossil was found in France, the other was found in Bavaria (Germany). The fossil cast represents the Bavarian specimen (BSP AS I 563).
A cast of a Compsognathus fossil on display at the Manchester Museum of Natural History. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Famous Compsognathus Fossil Cast
The German specimen was collected from limestone deposits. This fossil came into the ownership of the amateur fossil collector Dr Joseph Oberndorfer. The famous German palaeontologist Johann A Wagner, was loaned the specimen to study. He penned a brief description in 1859. Wagner named this dinosaur Compsognathus longipes. Although at the time, Wagner did not recognise Compsognathus as a member of the Dinosauria. He thought it was a prehistoric lizard.
Numerous Compsognathus models and replicas have been manufactured. Perhaps, the most intriguing is the limited-edition Compsognathus dissection replicas made by Rebor.
The Rebor Oddities Compsognathus longipes preserved dissection specimen. An amazing replica, it is as if this dinosaur had been dissected.
The picture (above) shows the stunning and extremely realistic Rebor Oddities Compsognathus longipes preserved dissection specimen.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur marvelled at a display featuring a pair of Homo erectus model skulls on display at a school. A visit to Painsley Catholic College back in 2018, provided us with the opportunity to photograph the clay models. The science and art departments had collaborated to create a beautiful exhibit that documented human evolution. Many different hominin species were illustrated. Our personal favourites were the pair of Homo erectus skulls.
The teachers at Painsley Catholic College had built a display of ancient hominins using replicas of stone tools and carefully constructed clay skulls. The image shows a pair of Homo erectus skulls. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the teaching staff at the time for creating such an informative display.
Around 1900 Everything Dinosaur reviews have been published by customers on the company’s website. Customers from all over the world have sent feedback to Everything Dinosaur about product purchases. The reviews provide information on the items purchased as well as comments about our customer service.
Team members are grateful for all the feedback received. All the reviews are read and if a reply is required, we ensure that one is despatched promptly.
Everything Dinosaur Reviews – The Papo Giganotosaurus Model
An example of a typical review is shown below. A customer had recently purchased the Papo Giganotosaurus dinosaur model and they sent feedback.
The pose of the Papo Giganotosaurus dinosaur model gives the impression that this dinosaur needs a hug. This Papo model has received some extremely favourable customer reviews. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
“Another lovely figure from Papo. I love that this Giganotosaurus is in the retro upright pose as every other Giganotosaurus figure I’ve seen is in a running pose. Tyrannosaurus rex figures come in both stances, but this is the first Giganotosaurus I have come across in the retro stance.”
The Papo Giganotosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The reviewer added:
“As per usual with Papo the quality of the figure is fantastic. The attention to detail being on a par with more expensive brands. I own several Papo figures, but this Giganotosaurus is my new favourite.”
Genuine Customer Reviews
The reviews on the Everything Dinosaur website and the company’s Feefo reviews are all genuine. This is feedback from real people who have purchased from the company.
The reviewer praised our customer service stating:
“The service was wonderful. My questions were answered promptly by the team, and both this figure and my Rebor figure arrived together in less than 48-hours. Both figures were incredibly well packaged to protect the items.”
Everything Dinosaur has won the prestigious Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award ever year that it has been offered. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order business thanked all those customers who had provided feedback.
The boom in the trade for mammoth tusks threatens extant elephant populations and their habitats. This is the conclusion of newly published research from the University of Portsmouth.
Conservationists and campaigners fear an increase in the buying and selling of mammoth tusks poses a direct threat to elephants. The trade in “ice ivory” was banned in the UK in 2018. The ban was imposed following a Portsmouth University led investigation into the British antiques trade of the material.
Humans encounter a Woolly Mammoth. A boom in “ice ivory” trade of mammoth tusks presents a threat to elephants and the environment. Picture credit: Mark Witton.
The Trade in Mammoth Tusks
Earlier this year (2023), it was announced the Ivory Act would be extended to protect five more endangered CITES-listed species, including the hippopotamus, narwhal, walrus, orca and sperm whale. However, new research highlights the unregulated sale of mammoth tusks needs to be addressed. The species fall outside of the regulation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is an international, multi-government agreement set up to ensure the survival of animals and plant species.
The authors argue that while woolly mammoths became extinct thousands of years ago, their lives and ultimate demise has much to teach us about how we conserve and protect existing elephant populations.
Prehistoric elephants on display at the Senckenberg Museum (Frankfurt). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
What About Other Prehistoric Elephant Genera?
Everything Dinosaur notes, that many species of extinct elephant had large tusks. Whilst the tusks eroding out of melting Siberian permafrost might usually be associated with the Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), tusks from other extinct species might be traded too. For example, tusks from the American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) or the Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) found in North America might also be bought and sold.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Mastodon model. The trade in the ivory of other prehistoric elephants would also need to be controlled.
The picture (above) shows a model of the American Mastodon by Safari Ltd.
Prehistoric Elephant Tusks Labelled as Ivory from Extant Species
Lead author in the recently published paper, Dr Caroline Cox (University of Portsmouth) commented:
“There’s evidence traders are trying to sustain the illegal ivory market with mammoth tusks, by intentionally mislabelling ice ivory as elephant ivory. Modern elephants and woolly mammoths share a common ancestor, so their tusks have close similarities. Instead of profiting from these new discoveries, we should be learning from them – how mammoths lived and how they died – to help protect their endangered relatives.”
It is estimated the illegal wildlife trade to be collectively worth between $15-22.5 billion USD a year. This puts the trade on a par with the illegal arms trade, the illegal drugs trade and the trade in human trafficking.
Schreger Lines in Elephant Ivory
Co-author of the study, Luke Hauser (University of Portsmouth) explained:
“Structurally, mammoth ivory is fundamentally identical to elephant ivory. Both have Schreger lines, which are distinct characteristics of the species.”
The majority of the ivory coming out of Siberia is woolly mammoth, but because evolution is a slow process there would have been crossovers between their characteristics and their predecessors. In theory, a trader could have a document claiming a tusk is from a Steppe Mammoth (M. trogontherii) when in fact it is actually a Woolly Mammoth (M. primigenius). Conservationists could not argue otherwise without an expensive and lengthy DNA test.
It is more than a decade since eBay announced its own complete, worldwide ban on ivory sales. An on-line post stated that the global ban would “protect buyers and sellers, as well as animals in danger of extinction”. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that sellers of illegal wildlife products operate on the dark web, rather than more openly through on-line social media and auction platforms.
The Trade in Mammoth Tusks Damages the Fossil Record
Dr Cox explained:
“While mammoth tusks continue to be in demand, particularly in the Far East, the Siberian tusk hunters of Yakutia recover only what the buyers want – the ivory. The remains of the mammoth are left behind and lost to science.”
The mining of mammoth tusks is dangerous. It is often illegal, and it damages the environment. The law of the Russian Federation states that only mammoth tusks that have come to the surface, usually as a result of the permafrost melting, can be harvested. However, this is extremely difficult to enforce. Miners can speed up the erosion process by using high pressure hoses to blast the permafrost. The industrial mining of the permafrost also releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane. This is leading to accelerated global warming.
The paper, published in the “Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy”, states that the best and most effective way of tackling issues surrounding the “ice ivory” trade is international cooperation from nations sharing resources and intelligence.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Portsmouth in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Ice Ivory to White Gold: Links Between the Illegal Ivory Trade and the Trade in Geocultural Artifacts” by Caroline Cox and Luke Hauser published in the Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy.
Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur his review of the PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus model. The Chinese manufacturer was praised for their tyrannosaur figures.
William commented:
“PNSO has favoured me with not one but two stunning Albertosaurinae tyrannosaurid models. Ah, the genius of PNSO.”
The second Albertosaurinae referred to by the reviewer is the recently introduced PNSO Wally the Albertosaurus.
The PNSO Gorgosaurus (Tristan) will have an articulated lower jaw. This tyrannosaur figure was praised by the reviewer.
The reviewer stated that there was a notable difference between “Tristan and Wally”. The Gorgosaurus figure (Tristan) is posed as if looking downwards. It might be surveying potential prey. Perhaps the dinosaur has been left in charge of some hatchlings and it is watching over its brood. William commented that these dinosaurs had acute vision.
The new for 2023 PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus dinosaur model. This figure is in stock at Everything Dinosaur.
William complimented both figures and explained that whilst finalising his review of Tristan he received the Albertosaurus model in the post.
He stated:
“In finalising my review of Tristan, I received a second beautiful horned Albertosaurinae model – Wally the Albertosaurus.”
Information About Gorgosaurus
Prior to providing the model review, William supplied some information about the discovery of Gorgosaurus. He wrote that Gorgosaurus is synonymous with the Canadian Province of Alberta. It lived during the Campanian faunal stage of the Cretaceous (76.6-75.1 mya).
William explained that it was the year 1913 and in the young province of Alberta the fossil collector Charles M. Sternberg had unearthed an almost complete holotype Gorgosaurus libratus. Charles M. Sternberg had been exploring the Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation. The following year (1914), Lawrence Lambe published his paper describing and naming the new fossil. Gorgosaurus libratus being the second but older species Albertosaurinae tyrannosaurid discovered.
The PNSO Gorgosaurus figure will be supplied with a transparent support stand, an A3-sized Sci-Art poster and a 64-page, illustrated colour booklet.
In concluding his review, William thanked team members at Everything Dinosaur for their hard work sourcing the figures and making them accessible for model collectors.
