All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
Everything Dinosaur’s work with schools and other educational bodies. Articles, features and stories about dinosaurs and their role in education and educating young people.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur observed a small Common frog in the office pond this evening. It could be from the frogspawn laid in February. This year (2023), was the first year that frogspawn had been laid in the pond during the month of February. The first batch of frogspawn was produced on February 28th.
In the late evening, a small Common frog was observed in the pond. It was much larger than the froglets that had been seen recently. It could be a frog that is at least twelve months old. Perhaps, it is a well-fed adult that metamorphosed from this year’s spawn.
Can you spot the frog in the picture? The frog could be from a batch of spawn laid in February this year. The species is the Common frog (Rana temporaria). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Team members have been busy helping to improve the small office pond. Native pond weed was purchased and introduced to help reduce the level of algae and to oxygenate the water. Pebbles have been added to the shallows to permit easier access for birds that want to bathe.
Two different types of pond snail (Great Ramshorn and Great Pond Snail) have been added. These snails Lymnaea stagnalis and Planorbarius corneus respectively, were removed from a local ditch that had recently been cleaned out. With little to eat in the ditch, ten Great Ramshorns were taken along with four Great Pond Snails and added to the office pond. By removing some snails from the ditch, this would help that ecosystem as well as permitting a small population of snails to assist with managing the algae in the office pond.
Invertebrate life is thriving and recently Backswimmers (Notonecta) have repopulated the pond.
All these invertebrates and the abundance of vegetation in and around the shallow pond have made an ideal habitat for frogs.
A close-up view of the frog spotted in the office pond. This could be a frog that emerged from spawn laid in February. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Spotting a Frog
We are not sure whether the small frog we spotted is from this year’s frogspawn. However, if the frogspawn was laid early in the season, then the frogs once they have emerged from the pond, would have a longer growing season. So, it is possible that this year’s frogs would have grown to the size of the one photographed. There is certainly plenty for the frogs to eat and lots of places for them to hide.
Team members will continue to work hard to keep the office pond healthy and its inhabitants happy.
On a visit to the Manchester Museum a team member overheard a grandmother challenging her grandchildren. Her young charges were tasked with counting the fossils in a display cabinet. The cabinet contained various ichthyosaur fossil specimens. Part of the exhibit included marine reptile fossil dung (coprolite). The grandmother asked the children to have a go at counting ichthyosaur coprolites.
Counting ichthyosaur coprolites. A grandmother visiting the Manchester Museum played a counting came with her grandchildren. It involved counting ichthyosaur coprolites. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The children were enjoying their visit to the Manchester Museum. After the photographs in front of the Tyrannosaurus rex cast (Stan), the grandmother set the counting challenge. We are not sure whether she knew that the display cases contained fossils of marine reptile poo, but the children were undeterred. They eagerly accepted the counting challenge.
Counting games can help young children become more confident. Counting games can help them to develop confidence with numeracy.
The Tyrannosaurus rex cast on display at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“There is lots to see and lots to do at the Manchester Museum. Staff hand out worksheets and encourage children to take part in various activities themed around the exhibits. We have not come across an activity that involved counting ichthyosaur coprolites before. We congratulate the family for their innovation.”
A model of an ichthyosaur. 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 is the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Ichthyosaurus model.
“There is an extensive display of ichthyosaur and other marine reptile fossil material on display. Several of the fossils of ichthyosaurs come from the Dorset coast. We have found some ichthyosaur fossils on the Dorset coast too. We do have ichthyosaur coprolite fossils in our collection. However, we have never played a counting coprolite game unlike the grandchildren.”
Whilst looking through their archive of school photographs, team members spotted a happy Triceratops. The artwork was on one of the gates at Thorpe Hesley Primary. Everything Dinosaur visited this school in May 2017. Children at the school were studying dinosaurs, rocks and fossils. Everything Dinosaur was invited to visit and to provide teaching support.
A friendly dinosaur is featured in the school artwork. A happy Triceratops to greet schoolchildren. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Happy Triceratops Artwork
The very friendly and happy horned dinosaur stands guard at one of the school gates. The Triceratops welcomes the children and visitors. Our congratulations to the artist for creating such a colourful piece of dinosaur-themed art.
Visit the award-winning, user-friendly website of Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.
How did our species evolve? What does our evolutionary history tell us about being human? These questions and many more are posed in a fascinating new book edited by a leading researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. Entitled “Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”, this new publication provides an insightful analysis into the origins and the future of our species.
Research scientist Sergio Almécija has compiled an eminent list of contributors. These experts, drawn from a variety of academic fields, share their insights on the study of human evolution. Leading figures in palaeontology, primatology, archaeology, genetics and anthropology reflect on some of the most profound questions centred around being human.
The front cover of the recently published book “Humans – Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Evolution of Homo sapiens
Sergio Almécija has been fascinated by the multiple narratives surrounding our origins, behaviours and the prospects for our future. He has taken an innovative approach to his subject. A list of questions was compiled and then he contacted leading academics and researchers and recorded their thoughts.
Some of the questions included are:
Which discovery, research study, or book would you highlight as a “game changer” in the way we look at our own evolution? How did it influence your career or life?
If you had a one-shot round trip in a time machine, to which specific time period—past or future—would you go and why?
What will be shaping human evolution in the future? What will humans look like in 100, 100,000, or 1 million years?
How did our species evolve? Why us and not other hominids? What does it mean to be human? A new book examining human evolution with contributions from over a hundred leading academics and experts. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Perspectives on our Evolution
The eminent and accomplished cast of contributors to this new book includes Kay Behrensmeyer, Frans de Waal, Nina Jablonski, Mike Benton, Richard Leakey, Robert Sapolsky, and Ian Tattersall. In total, there are contributions from over a hundred distinguished scientists and researchers.
Published by Columbia University Press, “Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts”, is a remarkable book. It has been designed to permit the reader to dip in and out of it, to explore a variety of topics and to gain fresh insights and perspectives.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Highly respected researchers at the very top of their game provide an insightful and informative examination of what it is like to be human. It is a very fitting compendium that caters for an essential human characteristic – our curiosity.”
“Humans Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts” – The Details
Published by Columbia University Press. Available in both paperback, e-book and hardcover. ISBN (Paperback) = 9780231201216. Pages = 520.
Search for the author (Sergio Almécija) or by book title.
Contributors opine on the fundamental relationship our species has with the natural world and remark upon the key moments in time that have driven human evolution. In addition, many contributors provide invaluable advice for those members of our species considering embarking on similar careers.
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson added:
“This book allows the reader to explore a cornucopia of ideas about humanity, our past, present and future. It is an engaging publication, a book that will leave you with a deep sense of wonder.”
Our thanks to young dinosaur fan Jenson who provided Everything Dinosaur with a trio of colourful prehistoric animal drawings. A team member had visited Jenson’s school. The term topic had been dinosaurs and Jenson wanted to show his drawing of three colourful prehistoric animals.
Jenson provided Everything Dinosaur team members with a very colourful trio of prehistoric animal drawings. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Colourful Prehistoric Animal Drawings
Several schoolchildren had produced dinosaur illustrations. The Everything Dinosaur team member praised the children’s efforts and commented:
“Such wonderful, colourful drawings of pterosaurs and dinosaurs. These illustrations make a fantastic classroom display. The boxes on the drawings allow the children to include some adjectives that describe their artwork. This helps them practice their writing skills as well as their hand-eye co-ordination.”
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked the teaching team for inviting them to the school. He added that the term topic had been carefully planned. It contained lots of amazing lesson plans to help children with their reading, writing and general development.
Everything Dinosaur is based in the UK, and it supplies dinosaur and prehistoric animal related figures, gifts, soft toys, clothing and merchandise. Run by teachers and knowledgeable dinosaur enthusiasts helping collectors of prehistoric animal models and promoting education and an appreciation of the Earth sciences.
To visit the company’s award-winning and user-friendly website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur team members were reviewing some wonderful examples of cave art created by Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. The children attended Bowlee Community Primary, and they had been studying life in the Stone Age. As part of an exciting and diverse term topic the children had recreated cave paintings.
A wonderful example of “Stone Age” cave art recreated by pupils at Bowlee Community Primary. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Recreating Cave Art
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur recalled visiting the school in 2017 and again in 2018. He praised the teaching team for their dedication and enthusiasm. The examples of the Stone Age drawings had been put on display outside the classroom. The children explained that they had enjoyed learning about their ancestors. They enjoyed creating the cave art and they were fascinated by the pictures of real cave art their teacher had shown them.
Everything Dinosaur team members have been examining generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and how this exciting new technology might change the company. Recently, to commemorate the ninety-seventh birthday of Sir David Attenborough, Everything Dinosaur asked ChatGPT to write a short blog post. The ChatGPT artificial intelligence wrote a short biography of the naturalist and broadcaster. We also asked ChatGPT to compose a short birthday message to Sir David.
Artificial intelligence has a myriad of applications. As part of our testing programme to assess the scope of the current technology, we challenged ChatGPT (version 3.5) to provide Everything Dinosaur with five facts about Tyrannosaurus rex.
The Rebor T. rex Tusk King T. rex Requiem model is supplied with a clear plastic support base, but our models appear quite stable even standing on our office carpet without the need for the support stand. Can ChatGPT provide five facts about this famous dinosaur? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The picture (above) shows a Tyrannosaurus figure from Rebor (Tusk).
In response to our question “list five facts about Tyrannosaurus rex, here are the five facts about T. rex that ChatGPT compiled:
1). Tyrannosaurus rex lived during the Late Cretaceous period (approximately 68 to 65 million years ago).
It is true that T. rex lived during the Late Cretaceous however, we would take issue with the temporal range suggested. The date of the end-Cretaceous extinction event and the demise of the non-avian Dinosauria is now thought to have occurred around 66 million years ago. T. rex is known from several Upper Cretaceous North American formations, dating the fossil bones is notoriously difficult.
The Size of Tyrannosaurus rex
2). Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest land predators ever to exist, measuring up to 12 metres (40 feet) long and weighing up to 6.8 metric tonnes (15,000 pounds).
We will not dispute the ChatGPT comment about T. rex being one of the largest land predators ever. However, the size estimates could be disputed. For example, the biggest specimens described to date “Sue” and “Scotty” measure more than 12 metres in length. The robust “Scotty” is estimated to be around 13 metres long with a body weight calculated at approximately 8.8 tonnes (19,400 pounds).
3). Tyrannosaurus rex had a powerful bite force of up to 12,800 pounds per square inch – enough to crush the bones of its prey.
Not much to dispute here. There has been a considerable amount of research into the potential bite force of an adult animal. A study published in 2012 (Bates and Falkingham) did indeed suggest a bite force around 12,800 lbs, for the teeth located in the back of the mouth. The researchers suggested a potential range of bite forces, with 12,800 lbs being at the upper end of their estimates.
Banana-shaped Eyes?
4). Tyrannosaurus rex had two large, banana-shaped eyes which gave it good depth perception and probably excellent vision.
This is not true, T. rex did not have two large, banana-shaped eyes. We suspect that this is the GenAI confusing two aspects of tyrannosaur cranial anatomy. Something that a real person would intuitively consider incorrect. T. rex is famous for its large teeth, often described as being banana-shaped. Its eyes were spherical and quite big, about the size of a tennis ball.
ChatGPT is correct when it asserts that it had good depth perception and probably excellent vision. Many palaeontologists suggest that T. rex had vision as good as a modern-day bird of prey.
The Rebor GrabNGo 02 T. rex Type A in anterior view. T. rex probably had excellent, binocular vision. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
5). Tyrannosaurus rex had a small brain compared to its body size, with a brain volume of only 1.5 litres (2.6 pints).
It is accurate to state that T. rex had a small brain relative to its body mass. This does not provide a measure of intelligence. For example, many birds such as crows and pigeons have small brains, but they are capable of solving complex problems and prodigious feats of memory and navigation. The statement about brain volume could also be disputed. Soft tissue preservation in the fossil record is exceptionally rare. No T. rex brain tissue has yet been found.
Brain size assessments are based on the volume of the braincase as calculated when skull bones are reconstructed. It would also be incorrect to assume that the brain of a Tyrannosaurus rex would completely fill the braincase, so only the maximum potential brain volume can be calculated.
Whilst errors can be identified in the answers given, we congratulate ChatGPT. It was a credible effort, particularly since the data set that the programme was working on was last updated in September 2021 or thereabouts.
The use of GenAI in writing books about dinosaurs, teaching about dinosaurs and perhaps providing updated display boards in museums is not too far away.
Everything Dinosaur has added a horseshoe crab soft toy to its range of prehistoric plush. The horseshoe crab is very cuddly, sponge washable and is a wonderful new addition to the company’s prehistoric animal soft toy range.
Everything Dinosaur has added a soft toy horseshoe crab to it range of prehistoric animal soft toys. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Horseshoe Crab Soft Toy
Animals in the family Limulidae are called “horseshoe crabs” due to the shape of their carapace which is shaped like a horseshoe. These ancient animals are not crabs. The first of these amazing creatures is thought to have evolved around 480 million years ago in the Ordovician. Often described as “living fossils” the four remaining species are the last representatives of the family, which was much more diverse in prehistoric times. Their body shape has not changed for millions of years.
Prehistoric plush! The soft and cuddly horseshoe crab.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Important Animals for Medical Research
These ancient creatures, with their famous, blue-coloured blood are playing an important role in medicine.
In the 1950s, researchers noticed that the blood of the western Atlantic horseshoe crab species (called Limulus polyphemus by scientists) clots quickly when exposed to certain bacteria. With further study, scientists determined that a compound called LAL (short for Limulus Amebocyte Lysate) is responsible for the clotting. LAL acts as a safeguard for the animals, reacting when it comes into contact with bacteria, fungi, and perhaps most importantly, proteins called endotoxins that are part of the cell structure of certain bacteria.
If these endotoxins get into a person’s bloodstream, they can cause a range of problems from fever to burst blood vessels in the brain. Even after an item has been sterilised of live bacteria, endotoxins can be residual. Researchers quickly saw the potential to use LAL as a simple, reliable test for endotoxins and developed methods to extract the compound. These ancient and increasingly rare marine animals continue to be studied by scientists, keen to understand more about their unique physiology.
The horseshoe crab soft toy will be supplied with an Everything Dinosaur horseshoe crab fact sheet.
An Everything Dinosaur Fact Sheet
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur welcomed the arrival of the horseshoe crab soft toy. It joins several other Palaeozoic plush such as the ammonite and belemnite soft toys.
The spokesperson stated:
“It is a very colourful prehistoric animal soft toy. This item of prehistoric plush has bright red legs, a cream-coloured underside and a brown carapace. It has beautiful, cute eyes and a long soft tail. The horseshoe crab soft toy is a welcome addition to our soft toy range.”
An Everything Dinosaur horseshoe crab fact sheet will be sent out with sales of this new soft toy.
Today, is the ninety-seventh birthday of Sir David Attenborough. On behalf of everyone at Everything Dinosaur we would like to wish Sir David “Many Happy Returns”. Over his extraordinary career, this British naturalist and broadcaster has seen the world change in dramatic and astonishing ways.
One huge and very recent development is the advance of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). To illustrate this, we have asked ChatGPT to write today’s Everything Dinosaur blog post. ChatGPT writing a tribute to Sir David Attenborough.
Many Happy Returns Sir David Attenborough!
ChatGPT Pays Tribute to Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is one of the most beloved broadcasters of all time. His career has spanned over seven decades, and his work has made an incredible impact on our understanding of the natural world. On May 8th, 2023, he will be celebrating his 97th birthday, and it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate his incredible achievements and contributions.
Sir David Attenborough’s broadcasting career began in 1952, when he joined the BBC. He quickly gained a reputation for his exceptional knowledge and skill in presenting natural history programmes. He has since presented a variety of programmes, including Life on Earth, The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Frozen Planet. Each of these programmes has gone on to become hugely popular, and they have had a major impact on our understanding of the natural world.
In addition to his broadcasting work, Sir David Attenborough has also written numerous books and articles on natural history topics. He has also been an active campaigner for environmental conservation. He has spoken out against climate change and the destruction of natural habitats, and he has worked to promote sustainable practices.
Beloved Figure in Conservation and Environmentalism
Sir David Attenborough is one of the most beloved figures in conservation and environmentalism. His decades of work have had a profound impact on the way people think about the environment, inspiring countless others to take action and protect our planet.
Sir David’s passion for the natural world is evident in his work. He is a master storyteller, with the ability to capture both the beauty and fragility of our planet in ways that inspire us to appreciate and protect it. He has used his platform as a natural historian and broadcaster to engage millions of people across the world in conversations around conservation and sustainability.
Our thanks to ChatGPT for creating this short tribute to Sir David Attenborough.
Happy Birthday!
We asked the artificial intelligence software to generate a birthday message.
This is what ChatGPT produced:
“Happy Birthday, Sir David Attenborough! You have truly made a remarkable impact on the world of natural history, and we are so grateful for your immense contributions to the environment. Wishing you a wonderful day filled with joy and happiness!”
A gentleman and a scholar.
We could not have put this better ourselves…
This blog post provides a demonstration of the power and scope of GenAI. It is going to change the world, hopefully for the benefit of all humanity.
As for the Everything Dinosaur blog, we will continue to invest our own time and use our own efforts to produce posts. If we utilise artificial intelligence in any future article, we will make sure to inform our readers.
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.
