A young artist has shared a striking dinosaur for Halloween. Caldey, a keen dinosaur fan, has produced an atmospheric artwork featuring a fearsome theropod skeleton. Her creation captures the spooky spirit of the season while celebrating prehistoric life.

An atmospheric dinosaur skeleton all ready for All Hallows Eve. Picture credit: Caldey

Picture credit: Caldey

A Dinosaur for Halloween

Caldey repainted a raptor skeleton to give it a chilling new look. She also arranged a black fabric backdrop and clever lighting. The skeleton appears surrounded by glowing candles, creating a dramatic and eerie effect. The result is both haunting and impressive.

Dinosaurs once roamed the Earth.  Some could be regarded as monsters. Creatures like Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex would have been more terrifying than any Halloween ghoul. Caldey’s design reminds us that dinosaurs have universal appeal. Their skeletons inspire Halloween creations.  Her artwork shows how science and creativity can combine to inspire imagination.

We admire the attention to detail and artistic flair. From the careful repaint to the atmospheric setting, every element enhances the spooky mood. Caldey has shown great creativity and skill in developing her Halloween theme.

We congratulate Caldey for her fantastic work. She has captured the essence of dinosaurs as both fascinating and frightening. This dinosaur for Halloween will certainly make an unforgettable impression.

Furthermore, from us on All Hallows Eve – spooky best wishes.

Fossil footprints and tracks are important trace fossils.  They preserve ancient behaviour and reveal how extinct animals moved.  Palaeontologists study these trace fossils to learn about locomotion.  In addition, a trackway provides evidence on speed, gait and often, social interaction.  Fossil footprints dinosaur models – there is a connection.  For example, a new study, due to be published in a few days, will provide fresh information on the anatomy of hadrosaur feet.  Tracks of duck-billed dinosaurs along with remarkable body fossils help model designers to produce accurate hadrosaur figures.

A fossil dinosaur footprint photographed at the London Natural History Museum. The exhibit features a three-toed print from the famous Lark Quarry track site in Australia. The fossilised print from a probable ornithopod dinosaur helps to inform model designers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Fossil Footprints Dinosaur Models

Even a single print can provide vital clues.  Information can then be incorporated into the design of a new figure by the design team.  For instance, tyrannosaur prints, most probably from a Tyrannosaurus rex have been incorporated into the display base of the Everything Dinosaur Evolution T. rex model.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur explained:

“Dinosaur tracks and prints preserve behaviour.  A single track captures a moment in deep time.  Trace fossils provide remarkable evidence, and we want to reflect this in our model’s display base.”

To view the Everything Dinosaur Evolution range of scale prehistoric animal figures: Everything Dinosaur Evolution Models.

Model makers study the evidence.  Accurate footprints help guide how models are posed.  Furthermore, they can assist with the figure’s stability.  The large, fleshy pads on the feet of sauropods incorporated into a model’s design can help the figure to be stable.  It passes our “carpet test”.

Trackways provide evidence of movement and body posture.  For example, most dinosaur figures do not have their tail resting on the ground.  Analysis of fossil trackways indicate that tails were held aloft.

A photograph of the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Nanuqsaurus hoglundi dinosaur model photographed in the studio.  The tail is held off the ground. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Collectors can see these details in incorporated into dinosaur models.  Moreover, some models include display bases with footprints.  For instance, our own 1:33 scale Tyrannosaurus rex model. Other replicas feature animals in mid-stride, reflecting fossil evidence. This attention to scientific detail makes models more realistic. It also connects collectors to the science behind the design.

Everything Dinosaur continues to celebrate the science that inspires model making. Collectors can enjoy figures shaped by fossil evidence. Each model brings the past to life and helps share the wonder of prehistoric life.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Accurate Dinosaur Models.

Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a short animation that he had created.  The animation focuses on our “Trust us to Deliver” slogan. We had designed an image of a dinosaur figure driving a delivery vehicle for our website.  It emphasises our reliability when it comes to sending parcels to customers all over the world.  William turned our illustration into a short animation. The animation features dinosaurs and they are wearing T-shirts with the Everything Dinosaur logo on them.

Thank you, William, for your wonderful animation.

Video credit: William

Trust Us to Deliver

Our congratulations William, we really appreciate what you have done for Everything Dinosaur. We were most impressed with your animation skills. It is important for customers to have confidence that we can arrange delivery of their order swiftly and efficiently.  We have an excellent reputation for our customer service and our ability to pack and despatch parcels, hence ensuring a rapid delivery is often commented upon.

Trust Everything Dinosaur to deliver. Team members have been busy creating a new icon for the website to emphasis our fine record of shipping dinosaur and prehistoric animal merchandise overseas. This illustration was the inspiration behind William’s clever animation Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mike from Everything Dinosaur praised William for his clever animation and stated:

“The animation made us smile. Sue and I really appreciate the hard work that William put in to create this.  We greatly appreciate his efforts and thank William for making this extremely clever animation.”

Our award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Sue and I at Everything Dinosaur would like to thank everyone who helped make DinoCon 2025 such a memorable weekend.  Thank you for all your hard work.  Thank you for making DinoCon 2025 such a fantastic success.

DinoCon 2025

The event was held on the beautiful campus of Exeter University (Devon).  The inaugural DinoCon celebrated all things prehistoric (not just dinosaurs). With a strong focus on both learning and fun, the convention featured presentations from acclaimed palaeontologists, exclusive palaeoart workshops, book signings, quizzes and an art exhibition. From ancient marine reptiles, tyrannosaur camouflage, to the integument of Jurassic sauropods, the event highlighted the full wonder of palaeontology.

For us, it was an opportunity to meet many of our customers.  Sue and I rarely get the chance to leave our warehouse, we are always busy.  However, we made a special effort to support this event, the successor to TetZooCon which we have supported for many years.  Furthermore, we could bring down some of the latest prehistoric animal figures to arrive at our warehouse. The vendor’s hall was packed with eager dinosaur model collectors.

We were so busy, we did not get much time to explore and to attend any of the brilliant talks and presentations.  However, we did take some photographs, such as the one below, showing Sue just as we had finished packing up and carrying some boxes back to our vehicle.

Sue at DinoCon 2025. A huge thank you to all the organisers, helpers, volunteers, security, vendors, medical staff and everyone else who helped to make DinoCon 2025 such an incredible success. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Acknowledging All the Hard Work

Events like this do not happen without the hard work of numerous people. We want to thank the organisers for their foresight and vision. A special thank you also goes to the helpers and volunteers who kept everything running smoothly throughout the weekend.  It was hot and the little touches such as providing bottled water really helped. This commitment ensured visitors had a safe and enjoyable experience.

We also extend our gratitude to the presenters and palaeo-artists. Security staff and medical teams were on hand throughout the convention, and their presence gave visitors confidence and peace of mind.

The support from the Earth sciences community and the enthusiasm of fans of dinosaurs made DinoCon 2025 truly special. We are already looking forward to seeing how the event grows in future years.

Thank you once again to everyone who made DinoCon 2025 such a success!

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Explore the benefits of collecting dinosaur models. Learn how this satisfying hobby inspires, educates, and connects collectors worldwide. Why collect dinosaur and prehistoric animal models? Collecting prehistoric animal figures is more than a hobby.  It opens a door to prehistory.  Each dinosaur and prehistoric animal model tells a story.  Often the figure is a testament to the years of research and fossil study.  The pose can capture a moment in deep time.

Five new prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur (August 2024). The new 1:6 scale Deluxe Velociraptor (left), the 1:20 scale Deluxe Diprotodon (back), Placerias 1:20 scale (centre) and the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Nanuqsaurus is at the front. The new Polacanthus foxii figure in 1:20 scale is on the right. There are a huge number of prehistoric animal models and figures to collect. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Learn While You Collect

Dinosaur fans and collectors enjoy more than incredible figures.  They learn about the Dinosauria, geology, prehistoric life and evolution.  Each new figure can spark the imagination.  Collectors read scientific papers, they want to know more about the fossil evidence.  Insights are gained into the Earth sciences.

The benefits of collecting prehistoric animal models include lifelong learning. This hobby keeps curiosity alive at any age.

The Benefits of Collecting Dinosaur Models

Collecting dinosaur models connects people.  There is a global model collecting community. Enthusiasts share knowledge discussing reconstructions, their own model builds and ideas on display.  At Everything Dinosaur, we know how diverse this community is.  We appreciate how well-informed collectors are. Communities welcome all ages.  You might meet someone elsewhere in the world that shares your passion.  You might discover a neighbour is a collector too. The benefits of collecting dinosaur models often extend to lasting friendships.

Five Eofauna Scientific Research prehistoric animal models.  The quality and accuracy of prehistoric animal figures has risen dramatically over the last few years.

The picture (above) shows some of the Eofauna Scientific Research range of models.  These scale models are popular with collectors.

To see the range of Eofauna models in stock: Eofauna Scientific Research Models.

Appreciate Nature, Deep Time and Ancient Environments

Just like animals today, prehistoric animals lived in complex ecosystems.  Collectors learn about ancient climates, the flora and other organisms.  You gain an insight into palaeontology and concepts such as deep time.  That insight and knowledge encourages an interest in conservation today.  The benefits of collecting dinosaur models include a deeper respect for the natural world.

Each model is an example of miniature art. Models capture fine anatomical details and some are highly accurate.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“It is a hobby for everyone.  You may build a complete set from one geological formation.  Collecting gives an excellent sense of achievement.  Furthermore, the hobby suits many budgets and spaces.  Some collectors fill entire rooms.  Others keep a few treasured figures on their desk.  Every collection is unique.”

Start Your Collection Today!  The Benefits of Collecting Dinosaur Models

Collecting prehistoric animal models can be shared, family adventure.  Parents and children learn together.  Visiting museums, they can compare their models to real fossil skeletons.  These moments create lasting memories. Collecting models and figures keeps the wonders of prehistory alive. Curiosity is turned into knowledge.  Collecting can transform an interest into a passion.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur added:

“Collecting keeps the fascination with prehistoric animals strong for future generations. Start your collection today and enjoy the many benefits of collecting dinosaur models.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The inaugural DinoCon event is less than three weeks away. This exciting event is taking place over the weekend of 16th and 17th of August.  Sue and I are looking forward to attending DinoCon 2025.  We are keen to promote this wonderful convention, it is great to be involved.  Previously, we supported TetZooCon and for the first DinoCon we will be in the vendors hall offering for sale a range of prehistoric animal models, including the Everything Dinosaur Evolution T. rex.

DinoCon is Britain’s largest palaeontology-themed convention, celebrating all things prehistoric. It brings together talks and presentations by scientists from around the world, hosts stalls selling a wide variety of items, runs exclusive palaeoart workshops, and offers much more.

Everything Dinosaur has been adding a promotional flyer to some of their customer’s parcels.

Everything Dinosaur team members supporting DinoCon 2025 by including a promotional flyer about this exciting event in parcels being sent out to customers relatively close to Exeter University – the venue for the first ever DinoCon. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Supporting DinoCon 2025

The convention takes place on the campus at Exeter University (Devon). It uses The Great Hall and Devonshire House. Organisers have placed Everything Dinosaur in the vendor hall. This large room sits directly below The Great Hall.

Visit the DinoCon website for more information: DinoCon 2025 Convention.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur explained that he received DinoCon leaflets at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. Everything Dinosaur was a main sponsor at that event. Over the last few weeks, the team added the leaflets to customer parcels. They sent them to customers living not too far from Exeter University.

He added:

“DinoCon is a great idea!  We wish the organisers every success and are happy to do what we can to help promote this wonderful event.”

Sue and I are thrilled to be involved with DinoCon 2025 and can’t wait to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

About the Author

Mike is part of the team at Everything Dinosaur. With a background in teaching and science communication. He has shared his fascination with prehistoric animals, fossils, palaeontology and dinosaurs on this blog since 2005. He and Sue are prehistoric animal model collectors too.

Visit: Everything Dinosaur for dinosaur toys and prehistoric animal figures.

Sue and Mike from Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to DinoCon 2025. There are just three weeks to go to this exciting event.  We are getting ready and planning what ranges of prehistoric animal models we should bring down to sell.

DinoCon is the UK’s biggest palaeontology and prehistoric animal themed convention. It builds on the legacy of TetZooCon. There is a focus on education and fun. An incredible guest lineup has been organised and furthermore, there will be talks and presentations from acclaimed palaeontologists. In addition, there are lots of workshops, palaeoart presentations and so much more.

Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur will be attending DinoCon 2025. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

DinoCon 2025

DinoCon 2025 takes place in the heart of Exeter University, taking over The Great Hall and Devonshire House. The Great Hall will host the main talks and presentations, while nearby spaces will come alive with palaeo-themed activities and displays. Organisers have set up the vendor hall in The Sanctuary, a spacious room just below The Great Hall.

Everything Dinosaur will be in the vendor hall, come on over and say hello.

DinoCon details:

When: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of August 2025

Where: University of Exeter

Tickets and further information: DinoCon – Further Information.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are looking forward to the inaugural DinoCon event immensely. Hopefully, this will become an annual event. Sue and I have asked our fans and followers what sort of prehistoric animal models we should sell at DinoCon. So far, it looks like we will be taking down PNSO, Haolonggood and Beasts of the Mesozoic figures.”

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

Palaeontologist and University of Bristol graduate James Ronan has launched a new monthly newsletter for fans of palaeontology.  Entitled “The Palaeo Minute” it is packed with insights into palaeontological research, information about fossil discoveries and research.  Published in the middle of each month, James intends to explore a wide range of topics.  For example, his first newsletter available for free explores how the tyrannosaurs became the apex predators over much of the Northern Hemisphere during the Late Cretaceous.

This free edition of “The Palaeo Minute” is entitled: “The Secrets of Tyrannosaurs: Growth, Dominance, and Evolution”.

Palaeontologist James Ronan a graduate of Bristol University has devised “The Palaeo Minute”, a new palaeontology-based newsletter highlighting research and providing expert insight. Picture credit: James Ronan.

Picture credit: James Ronan (artwork by Aram Papazyan)

“The Palaeo Minute”

James is UK-based and keen to connect with others with a passion for vertebrate palaeontology.  With an MSc in palaeobiology, he is well qualified to bring the fascinating world of the Dinosauria to life.  His new, monthly newsletter is a personal passion project for this young scientist.  He aims to make deep time more accessible.

Who is “The Palaeo Minute” for?

• Teens (16+) with a passion for dinosaurs or natural history.
• Undergraduate or Master’s students pursuing palaeontology.
• Adults curious about the science behind prehistoric life.
• Families eager to explore natural history together.
• Readers with little or no scientific background seeking to learn more about Earth’s geological past.

When asked about this new mid-monthly newsletter James commented:

“The concept had been on my mind for quite some time. I envisioned a dynamic way to share my expertise in palaeontology, something engaging, accessible and informative.”

We wish James every success with his exciting new venture.

Visit the website of the palaeontologist and consultant James Ronan: James Ronan MSc – Vertebrate Palaeontologist.

Here is the subscription link for the new mid-monthly newsletter: James Ronan – “The Palaeo Minute”.

What a great way to explore the Dinosauria, fossils, and scientific research.  A newsletter crafted by a vertebrate palaeontologist.

Palaeontology and palaeoart connected in the new for 2025 Everything Dinosaur Evolution Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur figure. The latest post about Everything Dinosaur Evolution highlights how the science of palaeontology and palaeoart are connected.  Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax is responsible for the scientific accuracy of the figures.  Acclaimed palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls provides the illustrations and brings the models to life.  In addition, award-winning digital sculptor Glen Southern brings his expertise to the model development process.

The Everything Dinosaur Evolution range of scientifically accurate prehistoric animal models unites palaeontology and palaeoart. Acclaimed palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax and renowned palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls are involved in this exciting project. In addition, the design team includes award-winning digital sculptor Glen Southern. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To learn more about the Everything Dinosaur Evolution range: Everything Dinosaur Evolution.

From the toes to the tip of the tail everything about the Everything Dinosaur Evolution T. rex model has to look right and feel right. We have put together the best team to make perhaps, the most scientifically accurate scale model of Tyrannosaurus rex. Join the Evolution!

Palaeontology and Palaeoart Connected

The Everything Dinosaur Evolution T. rex figure is a scientifically accurate model. It links palaeontology and palaeoart.  Team members include Dr Dean Lomax, Glen Southern and Bob Nicholls.  All three experts are working in collaboration with Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur.  The team aims to examine the fossil record and to produce figures by following the fossil evidence.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Palaeontology and palaeoart connected.  That is one of our ambitions.  If we are going to try to recreate prehistoric animals and depict them as real animals not movie monsters, we need to follow the fossil evidence. Furthermore, we must utilise the skills of a top designer and renowned palaeoartist to realise our dream.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Our thanks to Caldey who sent into Everything Dinosaur some photographs of her CollectA Deluxe figures.  Caldey and her family were on holiday on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast.  It was a great location to take pictures of some of Caldey’s favourite figures.

The CollectA Deluxe Dearc sgiathanach looks very much at home on the rocky Pembrokeshire coast. This large Jurassic pterosaur very probably lived on the coast. Its fossils come from the Isle of Skye (Scotland). Picture credit: Caldey.

Picture credit: Caldey

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe models available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Scale Dinosaur Models.

Photographing CollectA Deluxe Figures

Caldey chose to photograph her CollectA Deluxe Dearc sgiathanach model perched on a rock close to the sea.  The fossils of this Jurassic pterosaur were found on the coast of the Isle of Skye (Scotland).  Palaeontologists think that this rhamphorynchid lived close to the coast and specialised in catching fish.

The CollectA Deluxe Ingentia prima dinosaur model wandering around the Pembrokeshire countryside. Picture credit: Caldey.

Picture credit: Caldey

Caldey kindly took several photographs of her model collection.  In addition to the pterosaur figure, Caldey photographed her CollectA Ingentia prima model.  This giant herbivore looks quite at happy in the Pembrokeshire countryside.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Thank you Caldey for sending into us your super photographs. It was so thoughtful of you to take time out of your holiday to take pictures of some of your favourite models.”