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.
The new range of Beasts of the Mesozoic 1:18 scale, articulated dinosaur models are now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This new range consists of three theropod figures and three, bird-hipped dinosaurs (ornithischian dinosaurs).
The new for late 2022 Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated dinosaur models in 1:18 scale. Six figures in the series to collect. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Beautiful Packaging
The models in this new series are beautifully packaged and each figure is supplied with additional components to allow the dinosaur to be posed in a variety of ways. Each of the articulated figures measures approximately 10.2 cm in length (4 inches).
The product packaging for the new Beasts of the Mesozoic Velociraptor mongoliensis 1:18 scale figure (front and back view of the packaging). A fact card about Velociraptor has been incorporated into the product packaging. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Beasts of the Mesozoic
The Beasts of the Mesozoic range includes replicas of “raptors” and more recently a series of articulated horned dinosaur figures were introduced. The range of smaller, 1:18 scale figures consists of:
Velociraptor (V. mongoliensis) with 15 points of articulation.
Psittacosaurus (P. mongoliensis) with 11 points of articulation.
Linheraptor (L. exquisitus) with 15 points of articulation.
Dromaeosaurus (D. albertensis) with 15 points of articulation.
Protoceratops (P. andrewsi) – named in 1923 with 12 points of articulation.
Protoceratops (P. hellenikorhinus) – named in 2001 with 12 points of articulation.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur exclaimed:
“It is wonderful to get these amazing, articulated dinosaur figures into stock. Team members have been busy alerting customers who had enquired about them, they are certainly beautiful models – six of the best!”
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Range of Articulated Scale Models and Figures
To view the extensive range of Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated scale models and figures, take a look at this section of Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Beasts of the Mesozoic Models and Figures.
A fossil specimen found in a cupboard at the Natural History Museum (London) proves that there were modern lizards in the Triassic. The Squamata (lizards and snakes), were thought to have had their evolutionary origins in the Middle Jurassic, but analysis of this previously undescribed specimen pushes back the origins of this Order by tens of millions of years.
The partial skull of the stem lizard shown in lateral view. Picture credit: David Whiteside, Sophie Chambi-Trowell, Mike Benton and Natural History Museum UK.
A Gloucestershire Quarry
The fossil was collected along with other reptile specimens from a quarry near to Tortworth in Gloucestershire, it was labelled “Clevosaurus and one other reptile”. Clevosaurus material, whilst not common, is well-known from Triassic-aged rocks from the south-west of England, particularly in Avon and Gloucestershire. Clevosaurs are members of an ancient Order of reptiles called the Rhynchocephalia, of which there is only one extant genus today, the Tuatara. Although they may resemble lizards, they are distinct and not members of the Squamata.
The whole specimen showing the skull (left) and skeleton (base of specimen). Picture credit: David Whiteside, Sophie Chambi-Trowell, Mike Benton and Natural History Museum UK.
X-ray Scans and Computer Models
At the time the fossil was collected, the technology did not exist to permit scientists to investigate the specimen in detail. Writing in the academic journal “Science Advances” the researchers conclude that based on the detailed X-ray scans (computerised tomography) of the fossil and the computer-generated models that resulted, the fossil represents a basal member of the reptilian lineage that would lead to modern snakes and lizards.
CT scan showing the left side of the stem lizard head with bones in different colours beside the fossil showing the right-hand side. Picture credit: David Whiteside, Sophie Chambi-Trowell, Mike Benton and Natural History Museum UK.
This fossil indicates that the origin of lizards and snakes (Squamata) was much further back in geological time than previously thought.
The research team, led by Dr David Whiteside of Bristol University’s School of Earth Sciences, have named their incredible discovery Cryptovaranoides microlanius which means “small butcher” in tribute to its jaws that were filled with sharp-edged slicing teeth.
Explaining the significance of this research Dr Whiteside stated:
“I first spotted the specimen in a cupboard full of Clevosaurus fossils in the storerooms of the Natural History Museum in London where I am a Scientific Associate. This was a common enough fossil reptile, a close relative of the New Zealand Tuatara that is the only survivor of the group, the Rhynchocephalia, that split from the squamates over 240 million years ago. As we continued to investigate the specimen, we became more and more convinced that it was actually more closely related to modern day lizards than the Tuatara group.”
Life reconstruction of Cryptovaranoides. Picture credit: Lavinia Gandolfi.
Modern Lizards
Cryptovaranoides is clearly a squamate as its anatomy differs from the Rhynchocephalia. The braincase is different, it had different neck vertebrae and the anatomy of the shoulder girdle is more reminiscent of a modern lizard than a Tuatara. The scientists identified only one major primitive feature not found in modern squamates, an opening on one side of the end of the upper arm bone, the humerus, where an artery and nerve pass through.
X-ray scan of the skeleton, showing the backbone, the lower jaw, and limbs with resulting computer-generated image. Picture credit: David Whiteside, Sophie Chambi-Trowell, Mike Benton and Natural History Museum UK.
Other Primitive Characteristics
Analysis of the Cryptovaranoides material revealed that this crown squamate does have some other, apparently primitive characters such as a few rows of teeth on the bones of the roof of the mouth, but experts have observed the same in the living European Glass lizard and many snakes such as Boas and Pythons have multiple rows of large teeth in the same area. Despite this, it is advanced like most living lizards in its braincase and the bone connections in the skull suggest that it was flexible.
Co-author of the paper Professor Mike Benton (University of Bristol) added:
“In terms of significance, our fossil shifts the origin and diversification of squamates back from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Triassic. This was a time of major restructuring of ecosystems on land, with origins of new plant groups, especially modern-type conifers, as well as new kinds of insects, and some of the first of modern groups such as turtles, crocodilians, dinosaurs, and mammals.”
Modelling of the lizard skull with jaws. Picture credit: David Whiteside, Sophie Chambi-Trowell, Mike Benton and Natural History Museum UK.
Dr Whiteside paid tribute to the late Pamela L. Robinson who recovered the fossil from the quarry and did a lot of preparation work on the specimen, however, with no access to CT scanning technology, she was not able to perceive the significance of her discovery.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A Triassic crown squamate” by Whiteside, D. I., Chambi-Trowell, S. A. V., and Benton, M J. published in Science Advances.
The new Beasts of the Mesozoic Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops model is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This beautiful, articulated replica of Medusaceratops lokii is one of the latest horned dinosaur figures in the Beasts of the Mesozoic model series to arrive at Everything Dinosaur’s UK warehouse.
The amazing and incredibly detailed Beasts of the Mesozoic Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops dinosaur model. This figure is in approximately 1:18 scale and measures 30.5 cm in length.
Beasts of the Mesozoic Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops
Fossils of Medusaceratops (M. lokii) are known from Upper Cretaceous deposits of Montana (USA). A member of the centrosaurine clade of horned dinosaurs, Medusaceratops roamed North America around 78 million years ago (Campanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). Palaeontologists estimate that this large herbivore grew to a length in excess of six metres and it might have weighed more than three tonnes.
The amazing iridescent colours of the new Beasts of the Mesozoic Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops can be clearly seen in this left lateral view of the articulated dinosaur model.
Astonishing Artwork
As with all the amazing Beasts of the Mesozoic models, the box artwork has been praised. The superb illustration of a resting Medusaceratops was created by Raph Lomotan.
The stunning box art associated with the new Beasts of the Mesozoic Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops (M. lokii) figure. A stunning illustration of a Late Cretaceous horned dinosaur. Picture credit: Raph Lomotan.
Picture credit: Raph Lomotan
Commenting on the introduction of this new Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated figure, a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“We are delighted to get this Fans’ Choice Medusaceratops model in stock. The iridescent colour scheme is gorgeous and we praise the design team behind such innovative and exciting model colouration.”
The hand-painted Beasts of the Mesozoic Medusaceratops lokii has 20 points of articulation and will be supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Medusaceratops fact sheet.
Scientists have concluded that a newly described dromaeosaurid from Mongolia with its streamlined body may have been semi-aquatic. The duck-sized theropod, named Natovenator polydontus had a ribcage that angled downwards towards the pelvis, an anatomical trait also found in extant diving birds. The researchers, writing in the journal “Communications Biology”, suggest that this dinosaur, a relative of Velociraptor, could potentially have been a swimming predator, hunting and catching fish.
Natovenator polydontus life reconstruction. This dromaeosaurid dinosaur may have filled an ecological niche similar to that of extant diving birds today. Picture credit: Yusik Choi.
Natovenator polydontus
The semi-articulated fossil specimen was discovered in 2008 by a joint Mongolian/Korean field team. The material consisting of substantial postcranial elements and a partial skull comes from the Barun Goyot Formation at Hermiin Tsav in the southern Mongolian Gobi Desert. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Natovenator polydontus is closely related to Halszkaraptor (H. escuilliei) which heralds from southern Mongolia too, but from slightly older strata – the Djadochta Formation.
When Halszkaraptor was formally described in 2017, it was proposed that this dromaeosaurid was adapted to a life in water. The discovery of Natovenator adds weight to the theory that some dromaeosaurs were semi-aquatic. The two dinosaurs, which were most probably feathered have been placed in the same clade – the Halszkaraptorinae.
The dinosaur had a long, flexible neck and analysis of the jaws indicate that Natovenator had lots of small teeth, ideal for grabbing slippery fish.
A skeletal reconstruction (known bones in white) and comparison of the sloping ribs in N. polydontus with extant diving birds. Natovenator lived approximately 68 million years ago (Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Cretaceous). Picture credit: Lee et al with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur.
The picture above shows the dorsal vertebrae and ribs of Natovenator in ventral view (a), with (b) a line drawing in left lateral view showing how the ribs are angled downwards towards the rear of the animal. Diving birds and penguins share this anatomical trait (e-i), which is believed to help these animals to be more streamlined when they dive and swim. Line drawing (j) shows the ribs of the entirely terrestrial ostrich whilst (k) shows the dorsal vertebrae and known ribs of Shri devi, another dromaeosaurid from the Barun Goyot Formation which was probably entirely terrestrial too.
Could the shape, direction and orientation of the ribs be evidence to suggest that Natovenator was semi-aquatic?
Swimming Hunter with Many Teeth
The dinosaur’s genus name translates from the Latin and means “swimming hunter”, whilst the specific or trivial name refers to the unusually large number of teeth located in the jaw. The anatomical position and orientation of the ribs has not been recorded in a non-avian dinosaur before. If Natovenator and the closely related Halszkaraptor were semi-aquatic, then this demonstrates the great diversity within the Theropoda. Dinosaurs evolving to exploit specific niches in ancient ecosystems.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that this was a remarkable discovery that once again highlighted the range of body plans that dinosaurs evolved to exploit niches within ecosystems. As many semi-aquatic animals today have dense bones, perhaps a study of the bone density of Natovenator might help confirm that this dinosaur was indeed, at home on the water.
Dromaeosaur Diversity
The Dromaeosauridae were a very successful group of theropod dinosaurs. Numerous genera have been described. To gain an appreciation of different dromaeosaurs, take a look at the extensive Beasts of the Mesozoic range of articulated “raptor” figures: Beasts of the Mesozoic Articulated Dinosaur Models.
The scientific paper: “A non-avian dinosaur with a streamlined body exhibits potential adaptations for swimming” by Sungjin Lee, Yuong-Nam Lee, Philip J. Currie, Robin Sissons, Jin-Young Park, Su-Hwan Kim, Rinchen Barsbold and Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar published in Communications Biology.
Due to the on-going industrial action by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Royal Mail has amended their last recommended posting dates for festive season deliveries. Everything Dinosaur urges all customers to order as early as possible for Christmas.
Recommended Posting Dates Signed/Tracked with Second Class and First Class Post
Due to industrial action Royal Mail have amended and adjusted their recommended last posting dates for Christmas delivery. Table credit: Royal Mail.
Table credit: Royal Mail
Please note: these latest recommended posting dates are subject to change due to the on-going industrial action. The table does not cover airmail services. The table indicates that the last recommended posting dates for Australia, New Zealand and China have already passed.
Royal Mail has also altered its advice over first class and second class posting stating that Monday 12th December is the last recommended date for second class post and Friday 16th the last recommended posting date for first class parcels.
Last Recommended Posting Dates
Information on the Royal Mail website confirms the need to prepare for the festive season earlier than usual.
The website states:
“Some dates have changed to accommodate the disruption due to recent CWU industrial action. We recommend you post as early as possible to ensure your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time.”
If customers have a concern about postage and shipping their dinosaur themed toys, models and games, they are welcome to contact Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.
Top Tips to Help You Prepare
Team members at Everything Dinosaur have produced a set of hints and tips to help you in the run up to the busy Christmas period:
Remember to include the house name or house number with the delivery address information that you provide with your order.
Check the postcode/zip code with care, check it one final time before you place your order.
Remember, with PayPal and 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 let us know about any special delivery circumstances that you might have. Leave us a message.
Everything Dinosaur’s website makes it easy for you to specify a different delivery address to your billing address, perhaps you want to send to a relative or even to a work address.
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 information. Please remember to check the postcode or zip code.
If you think it will help, 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 take place.
We hope these tips help and we wish everyone successful seasonal shopping.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Adult Triceratops “Steelhorn” model is now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This limited-edition, articulated horned dinosaur figure has twenty points of articulation and is supplied with interchangeable metal-effect brow horns.
The beautifully painted Beasts of the Mesozoic Triceratops “Steelhorn” figure. A wonderful, articulated model of a famous horned dinosaur.
Beasts of the Mesozoic Adult Triceratops “Steelhorn”
The Beasts of the Mesozoic adult Triceratops – the “Steelhorn” version is in 1:18 scale and represents the geologically oldest Triceratops species to have been formally described that is still valid (T. horridus).
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Adult Triceratops “Steelhorn” in lateral view. A fantastic articulated figure with twenty points of articulation. The figure is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Triceratops fact sheet and interchangeable metal effect brow horns.
“Steelhorn” Model Measurements
This impressive figure measures eighteen inches in length, which is a fraction under forty-six centimetres long when the model is measured from the end of those awesome, interchangeable brow horns to the tip of the tail. The figure is in approximate proportion in terms of horn size, skull length and the length of the tail as based on the latest scientific interpretation of Triceratops horridus.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Adult Triceratops “Steelhorn” model measures an impressive 45.7 cm in length when measured from the tips of the brow horns to the end of the articulated replica’s tail. The model measures approximately 18 inches long.
New Beasts of the Mesozoic Articulated Ceratopsians
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It is great to see the new Beasts of the Mesozoic Triceratops figure in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This large ceratopsian model is part of a new sub-brand entitled Cyberzoic, the artwork on the display box is amazing and of course, we will be sending out our Triceratops fact sheet to our customers.”
Everything Dinosaur has taken delivery of a few of the special, limited-edition Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Spinosaurus 2.0 (Deterrence Statue) figures. These superb theropods are supplied with their own custom display base and they have already caused quite a stir amongst spinosaurid model fans and figure collectors.
The limited-edition Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Spinosaurus 2.0 (Deterrence Statue) is in stock at Everything Dinosaur (whilst stocks last).
A Very Special Spinosaurus
Team members have ensured that customers who requested more information about this figure have been emailed and the few that we have left have gone on general sale in the Nanmu Studio dinosaur and prehistoric animal models section of the company’s award-winning website.
A Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Spinosaurus 2.0 (Deterrence Statue) ready to be despatched. The paperwork included in the box is the customer packing list and the free Spinosaurus fact sheet that Everything Dinosaur sends out with Spinosaurus model orders. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Dragon Soul Spinosaurus 2.0
The Dragon Soul figure is termed Spinosaurus 2.0 as this is the second set of Spinosaurus figures to be introduced by Nanmu Studio, the earlier Supplanter Spinosaurus including the limited-edition replica are now out of production and we believe these figures have been officially retired.
The stunning Dragon Soul Spinosaurus 2.0 polystone display base.
The Polystone Display Base
The exquisite polystone display base for this 1:35 scale Spinosaurus figure has footprint markers to help collectors to position their model correctly and the base depicts a partially buried Tyrannosaurus skeleton, reflecting an iconic scene in the history of CGI cinema when a T. rex and a Spinosaurus battled in the film “Jurassic Park III”.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised Nanmu Studio and stated that this beautiful, limited-edition figure would very soon sell out. The spokesperson congratulated all those collectors who had been able to pick up this Spinosaurus scale replica.
The next video to be posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel will feature the new CollectA marine reptile models for 2023. The video will include a review of the new CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Mosasaurus model and the new CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus.
The next video to be posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel will be a review of the recently announced new for 2023 CollectA Shastasaurus and the 1:40 scale Mosasaurus models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur on YouTube
The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel is jam-packed with model reviews, hints and tips about prehistoric animal model collecting and we even provide the occasional free to enter competition too.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus with its striking black and white colour scheme measures around 25 cm in length, whilst the large 1:40 scale Mosasaurus measures nearly 40 cm long. Both these new for 2023 CollectA marine reptile models are scheduled to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early next year (2023).
The updated Mosasaurus figure has an articulated lower jaw, whilst the Shastasaurus replica has been sculpted to depict the presence of barnacles (or sea lice) on the flippers and along the body of this large, Triassic ichthyosaur.
New CollectA models for 2023. The 1:40 CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus (top), and the Age of Dinosaurs Popular ichthyosaur replica Shastasaurus (bottom).
A spokesperson for the award-winning mail order company stated that team members were looking forward to receiving stock of these two excellent marine reptile replicas.
The superb Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus corpse, a fantastic replica of the mauled carcase of a duck-billed dinosaur is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The special edition figure, which has a limited production run, is entitled Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier).
The remarkable polystone sculpture entitled Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier) is in stock at Everything Dinosaur (whilst stocks last).
Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier)
This amazing, detailed polystone figure shows the remains of a large Parasaurolophus, which apparently had been brought down and partially consumed by a large predator, most probably a tyrannosaur.
The figure, which is believed to have an extremely limited production run, is the third model in a trio of Parasaurolophus figures introduced by Nanmu Studio this year (2022) – the “Nutcracker” series.
The new for 2022 Nanmu Studio Nutcracker Parasaurolophus dinosaur model in the green colour variant. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus Corpse
The Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus corpse is a fantastic, polystone replica of a dead Parasaurolophus in approximately 1:35 scale.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is a fascinating model, one in the “Dragon Soul” series of limited-edition replicas. We think it is the first carcase model that Nanmu Studio have introduced, and it is a stunning piece, one that would be right at home in a serious model collector’s collection.”
The stunning Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus Nutcracker Soldier polystone replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Nanmu Studio Models
The figures and replica range produced by Nanmu Studio has grown in size and sophistication. The company plans to add further models to its inventory, but as far as Everything Dinosaur are aware, the Dragon Soul (Nutcracker Soldier) is the only scale model of a corpse made to date in this series and there are no current plans to add any other carcase replicas.
The Parasaurolophus corpse model box. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur wins award. Everything Dinosaur has won the excellence in customer service award at the annual South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce business awards. A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur commented that they were proud and honoured to have received this recognition.
A Papo green Styracosaurus dinosaur model poses in front or the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce trophy for excellence in customer service awarded to Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur Wins Award
The spokesperson went onto state:”
“We are delighted to have won the Excellence in Customer Service Award. We looked at all the finalists and any of the other nominees could have won, they all put customers at the very heart of their business. The category sponsor KPI Recruiting Ltd commented how difficult selecting a winner had been and we at Everything Dinosaur are honoured and humbled to receive this accolade.”
Visit Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and multi-award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.
A very big thank you to all our customers, you are roarsome!
