Educational Activities

18 06, 2025

Thank You for a Successful Lyme Regis Fossil Festival!

By Mike|2025-06-24T06:35:54+01:00June 18th, 2025|Educational Activities|0 Comments

What a busy time Sue and I have had. As one of the main sponsors of the 2025 Lyme Regis Fossil Festival we spent the weekend in the picturesque Dorset town participating in this year’s event. Over the last few days, we have been busy catching up with all our correspondence. However, we want to say a very big thank you to everyone who helped make the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival such a huge success.

Thanking the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival team.

Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur thank the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival organisers and the amazing volunteers for helping to make the event such a huge success. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Thank You to All Involved in the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the organisers and volunteers who made this year’s festival such an incredible success. It was hard work. Sue and I never stopped, we were inundated with visitors to our stand. In addition, our presentation on Sunday morning was extremely popular. We could have filled the Driftwood Cafe twice over.

The weather was absolutely perfect, which set the stage for an unforgettable experience. We were thrilled to unveil our new T. rex dinosaur model, and the enthusiastic response from visitors truly overwhelmed us. In addition, our fellow sponsors and exhibitors were excited too.

To learn more about the new Everything Dinosaur Evolution brand: Learn More About Everything Dinosaur Evolution.

Our presentation on Sunday morning was another highlight. It was a great way to launch the Everything Dinosaur Evolution product range. After all, if you are going to change the way prehistoric animal models are made, Lyme Regis, with all its heritage is a wonderful location for a product launch.

The Hard Work and Dedication of Many People

Sue and I recognise that events like the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival do not happen without a lot of hard work. Thank you to the organisers for your meticulous planning and to the volunteers for your tireless support. Also, a special thank you to our fellow sponsors. Without financial assistance events such as this would not take place.

Thank you once more for making this event such a resounding success.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Visit the Everything Dinosaur Website.

13 06, 2025

Wishing Everyone a Successful Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

By Mike|2025-06-13T08:58:48+01:00June 13th, 2025|Educational Activities|0 Comments

Twenty years ago, Everything Dinosaur team members were asked whether it would be a good idea to hold an annual fossil festival in Lyme Regis. The town is synonymous with the early days of palaeontology. Remarkable fossil discoveries have been made. In addition, Lyme Regis was home to Mary Anning (1799 to 1847). Mary earned her living collecting and selling fossils. She is now internationally recognised as one of the most important figures in the nascent science of palaeontology. The twentieth Lyme Regis Fossil Festival starts this weekend. Let’s make it really special!

We are attending this year’s event. Indeed, Everything Dinosaur is one of the main sponsors.

Everything Dinosaur is a main sponsor of the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 2025. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Annual Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

Everything Dinosaur is a main sponsor of the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. Mike and Sue will be highlighting their new Everything Dinosaur Evolution range of prehistoric animal models. The team behind this remarkable project will be presenting at the Festival. Join them on Sunday morning at the Driftwood Cafe (Baptist Church). However, the venue is small, and we suspect this talk is going to be very popular.

Come and visit Mike and Sue at the Lister Gardens Marquee at the very heart of the Festival. Visitors to our stand will have the opportunity to vote on the next prehistoric animal figures for the Everything Dinosaur Evolution project.

To learn more about the Everything Dinosaur Evolution project and to sign up for more details: Everything Dinosaur Evolution.

A huge thank you to everyone who played a key role in organising the Festival. Your dedication and hard work have made this wonderful event possible. Sue and I wish all the volunteers, sponsors and participants a successful event. Let’s make the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival a celebration of the UK’s natural heritage.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

22 05, 2025

Tiny Shells, Big Stories: How a Toy Ammonite Model Can Teach Prehistoric Life

By Mike|2025-06-19T05:52:44+01:00May 22nd, 2025|Educational Activities|0 Comments

Ammonites were keystone taxa associated with Palaeozoic and Mesozoic marine environments. They were both geographically and temporally diverse. Ammonites and their ancestors inhabited the Earth’s oceans for over three hundred and fifty million years. Ammonite fossils are easy to recognise, and a scientifically accurate toy ammonite model can bring their story to life.

Models of ammonites are often used in museum displays to help visitors to understand more about these cephalopods.

The Bullyland ammonite model next to a polished section of an ammonite fossil.

The Bullyland ammonite model is often used in museum displays to depict the living animal next to fossil material. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The model in the image above is the Bullyland ammonite. This figure has received praise from science communicators. It helps to provide an idea of the life appearance of these animals.

To view the range of Bullyland models and figures in stock: Bullyland Prehistoric Animal Models.

Accurate Toy Ammonite Models

These figures spark interest and curiosity. Adults and children ask, “What was this creature?” It’s the first step towards learning about these remarkable prehistoric animals. When holding a model you connect with deep time. A plastic model is a portal to prehistoric marine environments. An accurate toy ammonite model reflects the fossil record. Ammonite soft tissue preservation is rare. These figures provide information on the creature that inhabited the shell.

A selection of ammonite fossils to be used in an exercise exploring the role of index fossils with science students. Fossil ammonites are familiar, however, what was the creature actually like? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Helping to Educate

Ammonite and other prehistoric animal models are helpful science education tools. Ammonites died out along with the non-avian dinosaurs around 66 million years ago. However, some taxa did survive into the early Cenozoic according to some researchers.

To read a blog post from 2014 which references ammonite survival into the Palaeocene Epoch: Unravelling an Ammonite Mystery.

Illustrating extinct animals opens conversations about climate change, extinction and conservation.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Home educators, palaeontologists, researchers, schools and museums are supplied with these figures. They help provide a tangible impression of what ammonites looked like. Ammonite toys add context to lessons about ancient life, fossils and geology. Moreover, they help the wider public to make a connection between the rocks and a living animal.”

Many toy ammonite figures are designed in collaboration with invertebrate palaeontologists. They help to inform and educate. A toy ammonite model is more than a replica. It is a pathway to understanding science.

In a child’s hand or on a collector’s shelf, it keeps the ammonite story alive. And that’s powerful.

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

26 03, 2025

An Amazing Jurassic Journey Holiday Experience

By Mike|2025-03-26T15:38:56+00:00March 26th, 2025|Educational Activities|2 Comments

Fancy a personalised tour of some of the most significant Jurassic fossil sites in England? Thanks to Ancient Odysseys, a company that specialises in amazing palaeontology themed experiences you can get privileged access to some remarkable fossil locations. As well as an incredible experience you will be helping to fund paleontological research! Multi-award-winning palaeontologist, author and presenter Dr Dean Lomax will take a lucky few on a fantastic Jurassic journey. A week-long exploration of England’s major Jurassic hotspots. An opportunity to explore iconic fossil locations with experts and to get behind the scenes access to amazing fossil discoveries and world-renowned museum collections.

Award-winning palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.

Ancient Odysseys and Dr Dean Lomax have teamed up to offer an incredible and exclusive travel experience. A Jurassic journey!

A Jurassic Journey with Dr Dean Lomax

Ancient Odysseys have teamed up with Dr Dean Lomax to create a week-long Jurassic adventure. Running from July 6th to the 12th (2025), participants will be able to explore Yorkshire’s breath-taking Whitby Coast. Hunting for ammonites, marine reptiles and the famous, rare, semi-precious organic gemstone Whitby Jet. From the beautiful North Yorkshire coast, the tour party will encounter the enormous “Rutland Sea Dragon” the largest most complete ichthyosaur ever found in the UK. Dr Lomax will be your guide providing exclusive access to this astonishing fossil discovery.

To read more about the amazing “Rutland Sea Dragon”: The Incredible Rutland Ichthyosaur Discovery.

Visit some of the most important Jurassic fossil locations in England. Your very own personalised tour.

The following day, the VIP tour party have the opportunity to visit the dreaming spires of Oxford and receive a personal tour of the stunning Oxford University Museum of Natural History. A chance to view the iconic Megalosaurus jaw. This type specimen could be considered one of the fossils that kick-started the dinosaur global phenomenon. In addition, the newly discovered “Dinosaur Highway” trackway site is on the itinerary. Your opportunity to go “Walking with Dinosaurs” accompanied by Dr Emma Nicholls, (Collections Manager, Vertebrate Palaeontology at the Oxford Museum).

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about this amazing trackway site: Remarkable Dinosaur Trackways Unearthed in Oxfordshire.

The tour concludes with a visit to picturesque Lyme Regis to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site the “Jurassic Coast” and to walk in the footsteps of Mary Anning. A personal guided tour of the Lyme Regis Museum is included as is a special screening of the amazing “Why Dinosaurs?” documentary.

The Jurassic Journey Itinerary

Sunday July 6, 2025 | Arrival in Whitby.
Monday, July 7, 2025 | Fossil Hunting with Dr Lomax and Yorkshire Fossils on the Whitby Coast.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | Whitby Museum | Rutland Sea Dragon.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 | Oxford Natural History Museum | Britain’s Dinosaur Highway.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Lyme Regis Museum | Mary Anning’s Home | WHY DINOSAURS? Screening.
Friday, July 11, 2025 | Full-Day Jurassic Coast Fossil Hunt | Farewell Dinner.
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | Departure.

Dean Lomax will personally accompany you on your very own Jurassic adventure. What an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For further details and to make an enquiry about booking: Jurassic Journey (Dr Dean Lomax).

Helping to Fund Real Research

A portion of the revenue from this fantastic tour will go to support Dr Lomax’s research. Funding for fieldwork and paleontological research is highly competitive. Funding from this special holiday tour will help to contribute to scientific studies and will be acknowledged directly in upcoming papers.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“What an incredible opportunity! Fourteen people have the chance to visit and explore some of the most remarkable fossil locations in the world. To go behind the scenes at prestigious museums and to pick the brains of leading academics and professional fossil hunters. Ancient Odysseys, a company that specialises in palaeontology themed tours has teamed up with the multi-award-winning Dr Dean Lomax to offer an amazing vacation experience. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this extraordinary Jurassic journey.”

The website of Dr Dean Lomax: British Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.

8 04, 2024

A Colourful Stegosaurus at Quince Tree Day Nursery

By Mike|2024-04-10T09:32:36+01:00April 8th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we get sent lots of pictures, photographs and artwork from dinosaur fans. The budding young palaeontologists at Quince Tree Day Nursery (Essex), created a colourful classroom Stegosaurus and they were eager to show our dinosaur experts their armoured dinosaur illustration. The Stegosaurus seems quite happy in its forest home. As a plant-eater it would certainly have enough food to eat. This Jurassic giant probably spent most of its time eating. A fully-grown Stegosaurus was around nine metres long and it loved its greens. Our dinosaur experts estimate that this herbivore would have eaten around ten kilograms of plants every day!

The children and teachers at Quince Tree Day Nursery in Essex have created a super Stegosaurus. The nursery recently rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted, have placed their Stegosaurus in a forest, We are sure this plant-eater will be happy with so many plants to eat. Picture credit: Quince Tree Day Nursery.

Picture credit: Quince Tree Day Nursery

Dinosaur Artwork on Display at Quince Tree Day Nursery

The children and teachers at the day nursery have added plates to the back of their Stegosaurus. In addition, the dinosaur has plates on his neck and around his head. Quince Tree Day Nursery provides care for children from six weeks to five years of age. The dedicated staff work hard to create a supportive and nurturing environment for the children. Many youngsters obsess on the Dinosauria, and we often amazed by their knowledge when we get to meet them.

A recent Ofsted inspection of Quince Tree Day Nursery (January 2024) rated this nursery as “Outstanding”.

Stegosaurus lived in the Late Jurassic. The world looked very different compared to today. For example, flowering plants had probably not evolved. However, Stegosaurus would have eaten plants that you can still see today, plants like horsetails.

Stegosaurus lived in a world with very few (if any) flowers. It munched on horsetails and other plants. Horsetails (Equisetum) continue to thrive as they are able to grow in areas where other plants would find it difficult to get a foothold. Often regarded as weeds, these tough little plants are essentially living fossils as the earliest examples of the genus Equisetum date from the Early Jurassic of South America. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur congratulated the teachers and children at the nursery for the stunning Stegosaurus artwork.

Our thanks to Rachael for sending into us the delightful photograph.

For a further information on Stegosaurus and free Stegosaurus drawing materials: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

3 04, 2024

Anthropocene Epoch Rejected as a Unit of Geological Time

By Mike|2024-04-03T08:55:26+01:00April 3rd, 2024|Educational Activities, Geology, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has voted to reject the Anthropocene Epoch as a unit of geological time. Plans to introduce a new geological epoch based on the influence of humans on our planet have been shelved at a meeting of the IUGS.

Last month, a vote was held about the proposal to add the Anthropocene to the chronostratigraphic chart outlining the age of the Earth. This vote, undertaken by members of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) led to a rejection of the proposal. This committee’s decision has now been endorsed by the IUGS.

The influence of mankind on our planet - the Anthropocene Epoch.

The idea of naming a new geological epoch to mark the influence of mankind on the planet has been rejected. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG)

In 2001 the atmospheric chemist, Paul Crutzen, proposed that the activity of mankind was impacting natural environmental conditions to the extent that we had effectively left the natural stable
conditions of the Holocene Epoch and moved into a new interval that he named the Anthropocene. A committee was established in 2009 to examine this idea. It was named the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG). Their brief was to examine the evidence for human induced climate change as reflected in the geological record, and to determine whether a new geological epoch was justified.

The Anthropocene Epoch Rejected – The Full Statement

A statement was released by the IUGS:

“It is with the delegated authority of the IUGS President and Secretary General and on behalf of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) that the vote by the ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) to reject the proposal for an Anthropocene Epoch as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale is approved.”

Although the Anthropocene Epoch will not be appearing in textbooks anytime soon, these findings could be reviewed in a decade or so. However, the IUGS did recognise the significance of this debate and highlighted the importance of recognising the impact of Homo sapiens on planet Earth.

The lengthy statement included the following:

“Despite its rejection as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale, Anthropocene will nevertheless continue to be used not only by Earth and environmental scientists, but also by social scientists, politicians and economists, as well as by the public at large. It will remain an invaluable descriptor of human impact on the Earth system.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

31 03, 2024

Non-sauropod Sauropodomorphs – A Helpful Explanation

By Mike|2024-04-01T08:48:23+01:00March 31st, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page|0 Comments

The phylogenetic relationship between the Sauropoda and the non-sauropod sauropodomorphs remains uncertain. The discovery of extremely large non-sauropod sauropodomorphs such as Lessemsaurus, Antetonitrus and Ingentia in the Southern Hemisphere demonstrates that some Late Triassic dinosaurs could rival the sauropods in terms of size. Further work is required to better understand the taxonomic relationship between the Sauropoda and other saurischian dinosaurs known from the Triassic and very Early Jurassic. These saurischian dinosaurs may or may not be closely related to the Sauropoda clade.

The first sauropodomorphs evolved in the Triassic. Initially, they were small and bipedal. It was thought that gigantism in this clade first evolved in the Early Jurassic and was linked to the Eusauropoda, dinosaurs which were obligate quadrupeds, with column-like legs and were graviportal (only capable of moving slowing). The paucity of the fossil record prevents a more complete understanding of sauropodomorph evolution. However, with the description of Ingentia prima (Apaldetti et al) in 2018 a new family of super-sized non-sauropod sauropodomorphs was established – the Lessemsauridae.

The Lessemsauridae (Non-sauropod Sauropodomorphs)

The Lessemsauridae attained an extremely large body size. These dinosaurs were much larger and heavier than the largest terrestrial mammals found today. They display rapid growth related to the seasonal availability of food. In addition, their skeletons demonstrate many anatomical traits associated with basal sauropodomorphs whilst lacking characteristics previously regarded as adaptations to gigantism.

Members of this family include Ingentia prima from the Quebrada del Barro Formation and Lessemsaurus sauropoides from the Los Colorados Formation (Argentina). In addition, the Early Jurassic sauropodomorph Antetonitrus ingenipes from the Elliot Formation of South Africa has been included. More recently other taxa from southern Africa have been added to this clade. Dinosaurs such as Meroktenos and Kholumolumo from Lesotho, and the huge Ledumahadi mafube from South Africa.

A life reconstruction of Ledumahadi mafube. Recently this dinosaur has been assigned to the Lessemsauridae clade.

Picture credit: Viktor Radermacher (Witwatersrand University)

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The old definitions of prosauropod and sauropod proved too simplistic. The evolution of super-sized, herbivorous dinosaurs in the Early Jurassic remains poorly defined. Hopefully, more complete fossil material from the Norian and Rhaetian faunal stages will help to clarify the taxonomy.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Visit the Everything Dinosaur Website.

17 03, 2024

New Royal Mail Mary Anning Stamps

By Mike|2024-03-21T15:41:21+00:00March 17th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Royal Mail intend to introduce a set of Mary Anning stamps. The set of four stamps feature a portrait of the pioneering palaeontologist and three fossil finds. The stamps have been launched at the same time as a set of prehistoric animal stamps.

The Royal Mail Mary Anning stamps can be purchased individually or as a special presentation set for collectors.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s recent article about the Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps: Royal Mail Introduces Prehistoric Animal Stamps.

Ichthyosaurus communis and Other Significant Fossils

One of the stamps illustrating fossil discoveries features Ichthyosaurus communis. This was the first species within the Ichthyosaurus genus to be erected (De la Beche and Conybeare, 1822).

An Ichthyosaurus model — *The Ichthyosaurus model (Wild Safari Prehistoric World) ready to take its turn on the Everything Dinosaur turntable. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image (above) shows a typical replica of an ichthyosaur. This marine reptile was a sleek and agile predator with a body shape similar to that of extant dolphins. The dolphin/ichthyosaur body morphology is often cited as an example of convergent evolution.

The model is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range.

To view this range: Models of Prehistoric Animals.

From the Lower Jurassic

The stamps feature three prehistoric animals connected to Mary Anning. Ichthyosaurus communis (top) a complete fossilised juvenile, purchased from Mary Anning circa 1835. Dapedium politum a species of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) collected by Mary Anning circa 1829 (middle). Plesiosaurus macrocephalus (bottom), a near-complete, articulated juvenile collected by Mary Anning in 1830.

Stamps celebrating the discoveries of Mary Anning. — *The stamps feature three prehistoric animals connected to Mary Anning. Picture credit: Royal Mail.*

A Portrait of Mary Anning

The set of stamps also includes a portrait of Mary Anning. The date of the painting remains unknown, but it has been suggested that it was painted before 1842. It is housed at the Natural History Museum (London). Unfortunately, the name of the artist who created this portrait of Mary in her best clothes was not recorded.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is wonderful to see Royal Mail recognising the contribution to palaeontology and geology by Mary Anning. We hope these beautiful Mary Anning stamps and the presentation set will spark an interest in the Earth sciences.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

12 03, 2024

New Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps

By Mike|2024-03-21T10:02:24+00:00March 12th, 2024|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

A beautiful set of Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps is being introduced. The main set will feature prehistoric animals including Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops and Stegosaurus. A second set of stamps is also going on sale commemorating the life and works of Mary Anning.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (2024). — The eight main stamps feature beautiful illustrations of prehistoric animals by the Exeter-based digital concept illustrator Joshua Dunlop. Six dinosaurs are featured along with a pterosaur (Coloborhynchus) and a plesiosaur (Cryptoclidus). Picture credit: Royal Mail.

Celebrating Two Hundred Years Since the Formal Description of Megalosaurus

2024 marks the two hundredth anniversary of the formal, scientific description of a prehistoric animal that was later to be classified as a dinosaur. The theropod dinosaur Megalosaurus was named and described in 1824 by the Reverend William Buckland who was president of the Geological Society of London. The binomial species name Megalosaurus bucklandii was erected in 1827. This was the first scientific account in the western world of a dinosaur. Megalosaurus features on a pair of stamps along with the roughly contemporaneous marine reptile Cryptoclidus.

Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps (Megalosaurus and Cryptoclidus). — *The fourth pair of stamps feature a Megalosaurus encountering a plesiosaur (Cryptoclidus) whilst wading through shallow water. Picture credit: Royal Mail.*

Megalosaurus was for a long time a taxonomic waste basket. Theropod fossils from different strata were assigned to this taxon. The only definitive Megalosaurus remains come from Oxfordshire (England).

The PNSO Megalosaurus model. — *A model of Megalosaurus bucklandii. The new for 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a model of Megalosaurus bucklandii from PNSO.

To view the PNSO range of prehistoric animal figures: PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Royal Mail Prehistoric Animal Stamps

The eight prehistoric animal stamps were created by Joshua Dunlop, a digital concept artist based in Exeter (Devon). A second set of stamps features a portrait of the pioneering fossil collector Mary Anning. In addition, three stamps have been created that show photographs of fossils associated with Mary Anning and the Lower Jurassic rocks of Lyme Regis.

The list of dinosaurs featured:

Tyrannosaurus
Triceratops
Stegosaurus
Diplodocus
Iguanodon
Megalosaurus

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops). — Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus feature on the new for 2024 Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps. Only the genus name for Tyrannosaurus is given on the stamps and in the accompanying Royal Mail press release. We suspect that this is an illustration of Tyrannosaurus rex. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

In Collaboration with the London Natural History Museum

The Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps were created in collaboration with the London Natural History Museum.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Stegosaurus and Diplodocus). — *Diplodocus and Stegosaurus feature on the Royal Mail £2 stamps. These animals are known from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the United States. Picture credit: Royal Mail.*

North American dinosaurs are featured (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus). Prehistoric animals known from fossil discoveries from southern England are also included. Each pair of stamps show a similar image but from a different prehistoric animal’s perspective. For example, one pair of stamps depicts a herd of Iguanodon escaping a forest fire whilst a flock of startled pterosaurs (Coloborhynchus) fly overhead.

Royal Mail prehistoric animal stamps (Coloborhynchus and Iguanodon). — One of the largest toothed pterosaurs known to science is featured on a stamp (Coloborhynchus). It accompanies an Iguanodon stamp. Both these prehistoric animals are known from the Lower Cretaceous of England. Picture credit: Royal Mail.

Everything Dinosaur Comments

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“These are beautiful stamps. The eight prehistoric animal stamps show four different scenes, and they are designed to be viewed as pairs. For instance, the Tyrannosaurus stamp shows this theropod attacking a Triceratops. In contrast, the Triceratops stamp shows the horned dinosaur fending off a lunge from the Tyrannosaurus.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys, Models and Dinosaur Clothing.

3 03, 2024

Thirteen Batches of Frogspawn in the Office Pond

By Mike|2024-03-02T21:35:49+00:00March 3rd, 2024|Adobe CS5, Animal News Stories, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Common frogs (Rana temporaria) began breeding in the office pond very early this year. The first batch of frogspawn was observed on the morning of Saturday, the 18th of February. Frog activity had been observed in the pond a few days earlier. The spawning season has stared early, perhaps because of the mild, wet weather. February the 18th is the earliest date in the year that we have recorded frogspawn. Last year (2023), the first frogspawn was recorded on the 28th of February. This was the first time that we had recorded frogs spawning in February.

We estimate that by this weekend, a total of thirteen batches of frogspawn had been laid. The number of frogs seen in the pond has rarely exceeded four or five. However, other frogs must be visiting the pond and breeding during the night or in the early morning.

Frogspawn in the office pond recorded on the 2nd March (2024). — *A large amount of frogspawn observed in the office pond on the morning of the 2nd of March (2024). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Record Amount of Frogspawn

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Although we cannot be certain, there could be a record amount of frogspawn in the office pond. We think there are thirteen batches in total. All the eggs were laid in a shallow part of the pond.”

Hopefully, the sudden cold snap with overnight frosts will not have harmed the eggs. We are looking forward to watching the tadpoles hatch.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.