Occasionally, when Everything Dinosaur team members are not in the office or warehouse, they get the chance to unwind by visiting a bookshop. As they peruse the shelves and examine the titles a new game has developed. It is called dinosaur book bingo. Can a book reviewed by Everything Dinosaur be spotted in the shop?
The paperback edition of “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte. A fabulous dinosaur book. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
“The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs”
Whilst taking a well-earned break from work to visit a regional shopping centre, team members indulged in a little bit of dinosaur book bingo. A paperback copy of the excellent “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by palaeontologist Steve Brusatte was spotted.
Everything Dinosaur team members had the pleasure of reading an inspection copy in the early spring of 2018. The book was published in May 2018.
The paperback edition was introduced early in 2019.
A Highly Recommended Dinosaur Book
Dr Steve Brusatte is an American palaeontologist based at the University of Edinburgh. He has worked on numerous dinosaurs and pterosaurs including several important specimens that have been found in his adopted home of Scotland (Isle of Skye).
This is a highly recommended dinosaur book.
Dr Brusatte takes the reader on a journey. He chronicles the evolution of the first dinosaurs and plots their gradual rise to dominance over other reptilian contemporaries. Dr Brusatte charts their progress through the end Triassic extinction event to their emergence as the dominant terrestrial megafauna on our planet. Tyrannosaurus rex and its relatives are thoroughly reviewed. The evidence for feathers in the non-avian Dinosauria is comprehensively covered.
The latest edition of the publication for dinosaur fans and model collectors “Prehistoric Times” magazine has arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s offices. It is time to review issue 145 (spring 2023) and what a jam-packed edition it is. The stunning front cover artwork was produced by Kurt Miller. It features a Kelenken “Terror Bird” battling a Smilodon.
Kelenken is featured in the magazine along with an article on the remarkable Hypsilophodon. Both pieces are penned by Phil Hore (a little assistance from Gary Vecchiarelli with the hypsilophodontid article).
The front cover of Prehistoric Times magazine issue 145 (Spring 2023). Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.
From Feathers to Scales
The regular Tracy Lee Ford section – “How to Draw Dinosaurs”, switches its focus away from feathers and takes a look at different types of dinosaur scale. In contrast, the long-running review of Zdeněk Burian’s contribution to palaeoart looks at how the artist depicted Mesozoic mammals. The article by Jon Lavas is filled with amazing illustrations. It is wonderful to see some of Burian’s incredible, lesser-known illustrations.
On the subject of prehistoric art, Steve White discusses his new book “Mesozoic Art”, written in collaboration with Darren Naish. Some of the beautiful images from the book are re-printed in this issue.
A Gobi Desert scene showing Late Cretaceous mammalian and dinosaur fauna. Burian depicts two species of multituberculates. In the foreground the rodent-like Kryptobaatar, in the middle of the scene a group of Djadochtatherium matthewi can be observed whilst in the background a Protoceratops andrewsi wanders past. Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian.
Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian
“Prehistoric Times” Magazine
Everything Dinosaur would like to congratulate Marcus Burkhardt, John Sibbick, Andy Frazer and Dani Navarro. Just a few of the talented people who submitted Hypsilophodon artwork. The Kelenken article too, features some amazing illustrations. Congratulations to all the contributors with special mentions to Anders Bang, Jeff Nevens and magazine editor Mike Fredericks for their Kelenken artwork.
Cretaceous Sea Turtle Nests, Phil Currie and New Fossil Finds
There is a substantial amount of palaeontology featured in issue 145. Long-term friend of the magazine, palaeontologist Phil Currie contributes an entertaining piece examining dinosaur fossil expeditions from a hundred years ago. The Chelonia are included with a fascinating article documenting turtle nesting sites from the Cretaceous. In addition, the latest dinosaur discoveries and fossil finds are summarised in the Paleonews segment.
Randy Knol covers prehistoric animal collector news, reflecting on recent production figures including the new for 2023 CollectA Anomalocaris and Dino Dana Zuul. Editor Mike Fredericks takes time out of his busy schedule to review some of the latest book releases.
Our congratulations to all the contributors to issue 145. It is yet another well-crafted and thoroughly absorbing edition.
Two Rebor dinosaur models feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. The newsletter provides information on new model arrivals. It also lets customers know about product re-stocking. In this case, more stock of the popular Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain figure had arrived.
The Rebor Saurophaganax “Badlands” dinosaur model (left) and the re-stocked Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain (right),
To subscribe to Everything Dinosaur’s free, no obligation newsletter, simply drop the team members an email: Contact Everything Dinosaur.
Rebor Dinosaur Models
The two Rebor dinosaur models to feature in the newsletter are both theropods. The newsletter provided Everything Dinosaur subscribers and customers with the opportunity to purchase the Rebor Saurophaganax maximus figure in the “Badlands” colour scheme.
The Rebor Saurophaganax maximus has a flexible tail, movable arms and an articulated lower jaw. The “Badlands” colour variant is seen here in lateral view. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The recent arrival of more stock of the Rebor Tyrannosaurus rex “Kiss” Mountain was also publicised. This dinosaur figure has lips. It has been introduced alongside a counterpart model called “Tusk”. These figures highlight a current debate in palaeontology about whether dinosaurs had lips or not.
Some model manufacturers have reflected the current scientific debate by producing replicas with lips as well as lipless forms such as the recent Rebor “Kiss” and “Tusk” figures.
The Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain figure is a superb replica. It is a 1:35 scale T. rex with an articulated lower jaw, articulated arms and a poseable tail. The model is supplied with a clear plastic support stand. Everything Dinosaur also sends out a Tyrannosaurus rex fact sheet with purchases.
The three new for 2023 PNSO carcharodontosaurid figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter. The 1:35 scale, Sci-Art Lucas the Giganotosaurus features as the headline item. It is supported by Mungo the Meraxes and the PNSO Mapusaurus figure (Mila).
The new for 2023 PNSO 1:35 scale Giganotosaurus model features in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter.
Members of the Carcharodontosauridae Family
All three of the new PNSO theropod figures represent members of the Carcharodontosauridae family. All three, Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus and Meraxes are known from fossils found in Argentina. However, most palaeontologists are confident that these super-sized predators were not coeval. In terms of geological age, Giganotosaurus (G. carolinii) is the oldest. Mapusaurus (M. roseae) is probably geologically younger than Meraxes gigas.
All three models feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter.
Two PNSO carcharodontosaurids – Mila the Mapusaurus and Mungo the Meraxes feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter.
Sinraptor and Styracosaurus in the Everything Dinosaur Newsletter
As well as updating subscribers on new models, the Everything Dinosaur newsletter informs customers about the restocking of already released items that had recently sold out. For example, our latest PNSO shipment also included the Sinraptor and Styracosaurus figures.
More stock of Xinchuan the Sinraptor figure and the PNSO Anthony the Styracosaurus model have arrived.
Xinchuan the Sinraptor and Anthony the Styracosaurus have proved to be extremely popular with model collectors and dinosaur fans. Everything Dinosaur team members were able to co-ordinate the shipment of new theropod figures with the factory producing more Sinraptor and Styracosaurus figures.
A spokesperson commented:
“The PNSO range is extensive and we were delighted to bring in some favourite figures along with the latest releases.”
Everything Dinosaur team members welcome a trio of carcharodontosaurids. The three new for 2023 PNSO carcharodontosaurid models are now in stock. The new PNSO Scientific Art Giganotosaurus replica in 1:35 scale has arrived along with Mungo the Meraxes and Mila the Mapusaurus. The models represent members of the Carcharodontosauridae family of theropods and all these predators lived in South America.
A trio of carcharodontosaurids. The new PNSO Giganotosaurus model in 1:35 scale (top) along with the PNSO Mapusaurus (middle) and Meraxes figures (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Members of the Giganotosaurini Tribe
Most palaeontologists consider Giganotosaurus (G. carolinii), Mapusaurus (M. roseae) and Meraxes (M. gigas) to be closely related. Phylogenetic assessments place all three theropods in the Giganotosaurini tribe of carcharodontosaurids. These dinosaurs may have been closely related and from the South America, but they were probably not coeval.
The new PNSO Lucas the Giganotosaurus dinosaur model.
A Trio of Carcharodontosaurids
Dating the rocks associated with the fossilised remains of these three, South American dinosaurs is problematical. Calculating when these dinosaurs lived is difficult, especially when isolated teeth might be found at different horizons suggesting the presence of carnivorous dinosaurs in younger/older sediments, but the genus cannot be determined.
As an approximate guide, here are details of the fossil discoveries:
Giganotosaurus carolinii – from the Candeleros Formation of Argentina. The fossils are associated with Lower Cenomanian deposits indicating that Giganotosaurus may have lived around 100 million years ago to perhaps 97 million years ago.
Meraxes gigas – from the Huincul Formation. Fossils are associated with the Upper Cenomanian suggesting that this dinosaur lived around 95-93 million years ago.
Mapusaurus roseae – probably the geologically youngest of these three carcharodontosaurids. M. roseae fossils are also associated with the Huincul Formation, but from younger strata than the rocks associated with Meraxes. These large predators may not have co-existed. The dating of these rocks remains controversial. Perhaps Mapusaurus lived 96-94 million years ago.
An apex predator – the Mapusaurus dinosaur model from PNSO. Probably the geologically youngest of the three carcharodontosaurid dinosaurs featured in this blog post.
A Trio of Carcharodontosaurids
Welcoming the trio of carcharodontosaurids into stock a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur exclaimed:
“It is wonderful to see new models of Cretaceous theropods added to the PNSO model range. It is exciting to have new replicas of enigmatic members of the Carcharodontosauridae family added to our inventory.”
Three of the best! New carcharodontosaurid theropod models in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Scientific Art Giganotosaurus (top), Mila the Mapusaurus (middle) and Mungo the Meraxes (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Our thanks to dinosaur model fan and collector Chaitanya who sent into Everything Dinosaur some pictures of the recently acquired Nanmu Studio Carnotaurus model. It is a beautiful replica of a large abelisaurid. Our thanks to Chaitanya for sharing the images with us.
The Nanmu Studio Carnotaurus double horn demon figure. Picture credit: Chaitanya.
Nanmu Studio Carnotaurus
Four Nanmu Studio Carnotaurus figures were recently added to the Nanmu Studio Jurassic series model range. There are two colour variants “true colour” and “demon”. There were also two model variants introduced. One model variant had two intact skull horns, the other had a broken horn.
The Carnotaurus figure shown in the photographs is the “demon” double horn model variant.
The Nanmu Studio Carnotaurus figure – double horn demon. A close-up view of the head and torso. Picture credit: Chaitanya.
To view the range of Nanmu Studio prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Nanmu Studio Dinosaur Models.
Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the photographs.
The company spokesperson commented:
“Carnotaurus is an immensely popular theropod dinosaur amongst fans of the Dinosauria. Nanmu Studio has produced some excellent figures and their recently introduced Carnotaurus figures have been beautifully painted. We are grateful to Chaitanya for sending into us the photographs.”
Today is April 23rd, St Georges Day, the patron saint of England and a significant figure in the cultures of many other countries. April 23rd is traditionally regarded as the day that St George died in the fourth century A.D. St George is remembered for numerous deeds including the slaying of a fearsome dragon! Whilst team members have not spotted many dragons recently, we have spent time admiring the Nanmu Studio Jurassic series Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus. It is a stunning dinosaur replica.
The Parasaurolophus corpse model box. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus
Nanmu Studio have produced several exquisite figures with the “Dragon Soul” designation. The Parasaurolophus corpse is typical, it being a special edition and a limited-edition figure too.
It is a fabulous polystone replica of a carcase of an adult Parasaurolophus. We think this is a replica of a Parasaurolophus walkeri corpse. The detail on the figure is amazing. The Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier) is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Parasaurolophus fact sheet. The figure has a declared scale of 1:35 so it works well with the Tyrannosaurus rex models in the Nanmu Studio Jurassic series range.
The remarkable polystone sculpture entitled Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier) is in stock at Everything Dinosaur (whilst stocks last).
The actual replica is approximately 34 cm in length (curved length measurement).
It seems fitting that on a day we remember a slain dragon, that we feature a model of a dead Parasaurolophus.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is a truly spectacular figure! It is a beautiful model with stunning details. The polystone medium has permitted the artists to create a very special dinosaur replica.”
A team member at Everything Dinosaur has gone back to school. The company has been invited to participate in the last-ever SMART Cheshire innovation programme. SMART Cheshire Digital is a fully funded programme aimed to help small to medium-sized businesses in the north-west of England looking to explore, adopt and implement improvements and business innovations.
The training is provided by the Manchester Metropolitan University. The programme has been running for more than 5 years and over 140 businesses have been through the ten-week course. Sadly, this is the last time this course will be run. Financial support from the European Regional Development Fund has now come to an end.
Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur are delighted to have been invited to take part. The company can explore new ideas and innovations in a supportive and collaborative environment. With two day’s training already completed, Everything Dinosaur has already met up with like-minded fellow business owners and learned a lot.
As the course is coming to an end in the summer, the Everything Dinosaur team member was given two special promotional mugs. These mugs were produced when the course first started, and stocks are extremely low. We are grateful for our pair of mugs, they shall take pride of place in our kitchen at work. We think the Spinosaurus model approves too.
A pair of SMART Cheshire mugs given to Everything Dinosaur. A Spinosaurus model inspects the two mugs with their Manchester Metropolitan University logos. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Spinosaurus model guarding the recently acquired SMART Cheshire mugs is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range. To view this range of figures: Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
SMART Cheshire Digital
One of the many benefits of this type of training is that it allows the exploration of ideas. Peers can bounce ideas of one another, explore future collaborations and share experiences.
If the Everything Dinosaur team member is able to complete this demanding course, they can toast their success with a cup of tea.
Everything Dinosaur has been able to source a small stock of the Bullyland ammonite model. This cephalopod replica is popular, but becoming increasingly rare. For example, earlier in the year Everything Dinosaur was informed by Bullyland that this model was no longer available.
Some of the Bullyland ammonite models in stock at Everything Dinosaur. A rare and difficult to obtain ammonite replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Collection of Cephalopod Replicas
Everything Dinosaur has been able to source the Bullyland ammonite. The company has lots of contacts around the world and has built a formidable reputation in the model supply industry. It is because of our contacts that we were able to bring some of these popular figures into stock. The ammonite figure has been a mainstay of the Bullyland “Dinosaur Park” range. However, Bullyland has reduced their production of prehistoric animal models and many figures have been retired.
The strongly ribbed shell and the obvious keel of the Bullyland ammonite replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Bullyland Ammonite Model
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that the company was committed to helping prehistoric animal model fans complete their collections. Invertebrate figures were not stocked by other companies. Instead, these businesses tend to focus on the much more popular figures such as T. rex and Triceratops. One of Everything Dinosaur’s unique selling points is to offer models that other companies would not stock.
The spokesperson added:
“By stocking replicas of ammonites this shows our commitment to model collectors but also to companies like Bullyland. We are prepared to bring in figures that other firms might not.”
The Bullyland replica ammonite model.
To view the Bullyland ammonite model (whilst stocks last) and the rest of the Bullyland range of prehistoric animal figures: Bullyland Prehistoric Animal Models.
The Wyoming Dinosaur Centre (WDC) located in East Thermopolis, (Wyoming) will be hosting their first-ever “Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past” event towards the end of June this year. This amazing dinosaur museum is putting on a special two-day event for dinosaur fans of all ages. Headlining the dinosaur extravaganza is British palaeontologist, celebrated author and television presenter Dr Dean Lomax.
The museum is highly respected and regarded as one of the most family-friendly tourist locations in the western United States. Opened in 1995, the museum has world-class dinosaur fossil exhibits and also takes visitors out on active dinosaur fossil dig sites.
A family digging for dinosaur fossils at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre. Picture credit: (c) WDC.
Dr Dean Lomax
Dr Dean Lomax recently made international headlines when he led the excavation of one of the greatest discoveries in British paleontological history, the huge “Rutland Sea Dragon”, the largest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK.
Dr Dean Lomax working on the skull of the Rutland ichthyosaur, the largest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK. Picture credit: Matthew Power.
Dr Lomax will be returning to Wyoming after first visiting in 2008, then just an 18-year-old teenager straight out of high school. Growing up in the town of Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, Lomax did not have the grades or finances to initially go to university and even failed science in high school. When the Wyoming Dinosaur Center offered Dean the chance of a lifetime to volunteer and follow his dreams, he jumped at this opportunity and even sold his possessions (including his childhood Star Wars collection) to fund the trip.
Fifteen years later, Dr Lomax is an award-winning palaeontologist who has discovered and named multiple new species, written best-selling books and appeared on several television programmes. An affiliated scientist at the University of Manchester, Dean’s unconventional journey into the Earth Sciences was begun in Wyoming.
His success epitomises a “can do” attitude and the importance of never letting go your dreams.
Dr Dean Lomax commented:
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the opportunity I was given to come to Wyoming and volunteer at the WDC in 2008. The WDC provided me with the vital experience I needed to get my foot on the ladder and work out how to make it in such a competitive field.”
Why Dinosaurs?
“Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past” will also feature a special preview of “Why Dinosaurs?”, an intriguing dinosaur-themed documentary which examines the appeal of the Dinosauria. Directed, filmed and edited by father and son Tony and James Pinto, the film has taken five years to create and explores various themes concerning the popularity of dinosaurs.
The poster for “Why Dinosaurs?” Picture credit: Tony Pinto, Why Dinosaurs
The Wyoming Dinosaur Centre
Angie Guyon, the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre’s director explained that the staff were proud to have helped launch Dean’s career. Team members were looking forward to seeing the British palaeontologist again and learning more about his adventures.
The Wyoming Dinosaur Centre is committed to teaching the importance of palaeontology and every year staff see the impact on individuals and families as the Centre provides exciting, personal educational experiences to both adults and young people.
The director added:
“Jurassic Fest will provide an opportunity to listen and learn from renowned fossil experts and get your hands dirty.”
The Jurassic Fest poster. Picture credit: (c) Wyoming Dinosaur Centre.
Wyoming Dinosaur Centre “Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past”
“Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past” will give prehistoric animal fans of all ages the chance to dig up dinosaurs with Dr Lomax, to hunt for new dinosaur sites and to explore the fossil-rich formations that surround the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre.
The rocks in the area preserve the remains of some of the most iconic dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic, giants like Diplodocus and apex predators such as Allosaurus. Visitors can meet many of these dinosaurs in the famous Dinosaur Hall at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre.
The amazing Dinosaur Hall at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre. Picture credit: (c) WDC.
Exciting Speakers
A stellar line-up of exciting speakers will also be sharing their passion for the past, each with a strong connection to the Centre, including Jimmy Waldron of the hit podcast “Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome”, author of “Passion in the Bones” Elaine Howard from Florida, Dr Laura Vietti from the University of Wyoming and Dr Brandon Drake from the University of New Mexico.
Families digging up dinosaur bones. Picture credit: (c) WDC.
Behind the Scenes Tour and Cleaning Fossil Bones
As part of the planned activities for “Jurassic Fest” visitors will be offered special behind-the-scenes tours of the museum and given the opportunity to clean dinosaur bones and to converse with leading scientists.
Angie Guyon hopes that Jurassic Fest will deliver an educational, fun, and inspiring two-day event that will highlight the fascinating work of palaeontologists and science communicators which will help to capture the global importance of Wyoming’s prehistoric history.
Angie explained:
“The variety of hands-on activities will provide the public with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience, listen to a series of inspirational lectures and discover more about the research and excavation of local dinosaur finds from the Morrison Formation. This is not to be missed.”
The two-day “Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past” extravaganza will take place on June 23-24, 2023. Tickets and more information can be found at the following address: “Jurassic Fest – Passion for the Past”.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of Dr Dean Lomax in the compilation of this article.
