The stunning Rebor Tyrannosaurus rex “Kiss” Mountain figure is back in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Team members have been able to bring in more stock of this popular tyrannosaur in time for the festive season.
The Rebor Kiss T. rex figure (Mountain), this tyrannosaur model has been given lips. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Rebor Tyrannosaurus rex has been beautifully painted, and the figure has been given lips. The debate about lips in the Dinosauria is on-going. Many palaeontologists believe that dinosaurs did indeed have lips.
To read an article from earlier this year (2023) about lips in the Tyrannosauridae: Tyrannosaurus rex Had Lips.
The spectacular Rebor Tyrannosaurus rex “Kiss” in the mountain colour variant measures approximately 40.5 cm long and that magnificent head stands around 14 cm high. The model is in an approximate scale of 1:35.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It is wonderful to see this popular Rebor figure back in stock. We have been busy contacting customers who wanted to be notified when this replica arrived. The Tyrannosaurus rex figure has an articulated jaw, poseable arms and a flexible tail. It is a clever piece of dinosaur design.”
Everything Dinosaur receives lots of five-star feedback from customers. Today, we highlight some five-star Feefo feedback sent by a customer in Germany. The UK-based mail order company has thousands of customers in Europe. Everything Dinosaur has developed an excellent reputation for customer service.
Five-star feedback from a customer in Germany. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Five-star Feefo Feedback from All Over the World
Over the last thirty days (November 7th 2023 – December 7th 2023), Everything Dinosaur has received a total of twenty-seven Feefo customer service reviews. All of these rate our customer service as five-star. Over this same period, we have also received sixty product reviews all of them rating our models and figures as excellent.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It is wonderful to receive feedback from all over the world. We have many customers in Europe, and we welcome their comments and views.”
The German-speaking customer commented:
“Sehr guter Service, rasche Lieferung, schöne Figuren, besonders aus der neuen Serie (Halonggood).”
This translates as:
“Very good service, fast delivery, beautiful figures, especially from the new series (Haolonggood).”
A total of nineteen different Haolonggood dinosaur models were in the first shipment of figures from China. Ten different genera of dinosaur are represented. These models have received praise from many customers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The holiday season is very nearly upon us. It is that time of year when Everything Dinosaur is busy packing and despatching orders in time for the festivities. As always, we have contacted Royal Mail and can provide an update on the recommended last posting dates for Christmas.
Everything Dinosaur team members have been working extremely hard to stay on top of orders and to ensure parcels are despatched quickly. Our staff will do all they can to assist customers. We recommend that shoppers place orders as early as possible to give us every opportunity to get parcels out to customers.
We have published (below) a helpful table from Royal Mail outlining the last recommended posting dates:
A table showing the last recommended posting dates for parcels in time for the festive season (December 25th) – 2023.
Table credit: Royal Mail
For dinosaur themed toys, models and games visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.
Last Recommended Posting Dates for 2023
The last recommended posting dates for Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, the Middle East and the Far East is this Wednesday (6th December).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This time of year the mail network is getting extremely busy. We are doing all we can to pack and despatch parcels quickly. Customers are advised to place their orders as early as possible.”
Helpful Tips and Advice
Here are our top tips to ensure you have a happy and stress-free mail order experience:
Please remember to include the house name or house number with the delivery address information that you provide with your order.
Remember to check the postcode/zip code.
Before finally hitting the “submit” button to send an order to Everything Dinosaur, it is a good idea to check the delivery address for one last time.
PayPal and in our own website’s ordering process, customers can include a message to Everything Dinosaur in the order message box. You can use this message box to inform us about any special delivery circumstances that you might have.
Everything Dinosaur’s website makes it easy for you to specify a different delivery address to your billing address, perhaps you want to send a parcel to work or to a relative.
If you do decide to send an item to your work address, (assuming that you are not working from home), please ensure that you include the company name in the delivery address details. Please remember to check the postcode or zip code.
You can always specify a neighbour’s address, or a designated safe place where the parcel can be delivered to if you will be out when the delivery is likely to occur.
For further advice and information, you are welcome to contact Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.
On November 7th, 1924, the American Museum of Natural History published a short, scientific paper written by Henry Fairfield Osborn which described three types of new theropod dinosaur based on fossils from the Djadochta Formation (Gobi Desert). The first theropod documented was Velociraptor mongoliensis. Its description being based on a skull and jaws (specimen number A. M. 6515) along with additional material including the scythe-like second toe claw, although in the paper this was misidentified, it was thought the claw came from a first finger of the hand.
A close-up view of the detailed wing. In the 1924 scientific paper describing V. mongoliensis, the second toe claw was thought to have come from a finger. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Osborn surmised that these fossils represented an “alert, swift-moving carnivorous dinosaur”, hence the genus name Velociraptor which translates as “swift thief” or “speedy robber”. At the time Velociraptor was thought to be a diminutive member of the Megalosauridae. Over the last hundred years, more than a dozen Velociraptor mongoliensis skeletons have been found. As our understanding of theropod taxonomy has developed, these types of dinosaur, the swift lizards, the dromaeosaurs are now known to be very distantly related to the megalosaur family.
The skull was found on August 11th, 1923, by expedition member Peter Kaisen. Ironically, it was found lying alongside the skull of a Protoceratops (Protoceratops andrewsi) and indeed, ever since, these two dinosaurs Protoceratops andrewsi and Velociraptor mongoliensis have been linked together as predator and prey. Perhaps most spectacularly in the remarkable “fighting dinosaurs” specimen that preserves a Velociraptor and Protoceratops locked in mortal combat.
A skeleton of a Protoceratops on display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The New CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor (2024 Release)
Whilst the new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor does not show signs of an encounter with a Protoceratops, it does reflect Osborn’s original view of this being an “alert, swift-moving carnivorous dinosaur”. In addition, the figure reflects some of the very latest research into members of the Maniraptora. In 2023, researchers from the University of Tokyo applied a statistical analysis on forelimb structure that demonstrated that dinosaurs like Velociraptor had a propatagium (pronounced pro-pah-ta-gee-um). This is a soft tissue structure that joins the wrists and the shoulders. This structure is seen in living, volant birds. It helps with the wing flapping motion and provides a leading edge to the wing. Without this structure, birds could not fly.
Velociraptor could not fly, so why did it have a propatagium? This has been the subject of much debate amongst palaeontologists. Perhaps it had a role in visual display. Perhaps it acted as an additional stabiliser as the animal turned swiftly, or maybe it demonstrated fitness for breeding. It has been suggested that an enlarged surface area of the forelimb would have been beneficial in helping to shade eggs or perhaps it played some other role in the brooding process.
CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor model.
Whatever the reason or reasons for the propatagium, it is great to see CollectA have incorporated some of the very latest research into their commemorative Velociraptor figure.
The Everything Dinosaur blog has been undergoing scheduled maintenance. Visitors to the site will not notice any differences. However, as the weblog is vast, it is important to keep links and references valid. To date, team members have posted up over 6,500 articles. The blog was started in May 2007 and team members have strived to post up a new article every day since.
The Everything Dinosaur blog is being checked to ensure links are working correctly and that references to scientific papers are still valid. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Everything Dinosaur Blog
A spokesperson confirmed that each article was being checked to ensure references were accurate. This is a vast undertaking with an estimated 200,000 lines of text to be examined. Team members began work on this a while ago. It is hoped that the current maintenance task will be completed by early 2024.
The spokesperson added:
“Our weblog has proved to be an invaluable resource for teachers, academics, collectors and dinosaur fans. We aim to keep it relevant and up to date. With thousands of articles, hundreds of images and video links too, this is an arduous task.”
Site visitors will not be inconvenienced by the scheduled maintenance. The spokesperson confirmed that the housekeeping aspect of this maintenance would be completed promptly, and that the maintenance programme should be finished by the Chinese New Year.
In the meantime, visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
The next Everything Dinosaur YouTube review will feature the recently announced new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor model. It is likely to be posted up on the company’s YouTube channel in a few days. The video will feature an early prototype Velociraptor figure.
Team members will review the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor model, a figure which is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2024.
Everything Dinosaur’s next YouTube video will feature the new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel contains dozens of CollectA model video reviews. We have plans to release a video highlighting all seven of the new for 2024 CollectA prehistoric animal figures.
The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor is in approximate 1:6 scale. The early prototype figure we highlight in the video review is about the actual size of the production figures. It measures 32 cm long. At a scale of 1:6 a fully-grown Velociraptor would be 1.92 metres in length. At this size, it is within the parameters for Velociraptor mongoliensis proposed by most palaeontologists.
The Velociraptor genus was erected in 1924, when Velociraptor mongoliensis was formally described (Osborn). CollectA plans to introduce a new, updated Velociraptor to celebrate a hundred years since this dinosaur was named.
As Everything Dinosaur prepares for the arrival of the new Schleich prehistoric animal figures, we have been busy preparing fact sheets. One of our jobs was to create a Moros intrepidus scale drawing. The Schleich Moros model represents the first time we have had this tyrannosauroid in our range. We commissioned an illustration based on the image sent out with the original Moros intrepidus media release. A human figure was added to provide a scale for this three-metre-long theropod.
The recently commissioned Moros intrepidus illustration has been incorporated into a scale drawing for use in the next Everything Dinosaur fact sheet to be prepared. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A Moros intrepidus Scale Drawing
For every named prehistoric animal figure that we sell, we try to research and write a fact sheet. Our fact sheets have been well received by customers. Requests are received each week as collectors try to complete their collections. Moros intrepidus was formally named and described in 2019. At around three metres long and with it standing about 1.2 metres high at the hips, it was no giant. However, it was a distantly related forerunner of the giant tyrannosaurs that were to dominate Late Cretaceous ecosystems of North America. It lived some thirty million years before Tyrannosaurus rex.
Schleich are going to introduce six new dinosaur figures in early 2024. Some of these new models will be coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur next month (December 2023). One of these figures is a replica of Moros intrepidus, hence the need to compile a fact sheet.
The new for 2024 Schleich Moros intrepidus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We try to write a fact sheet for all the prehistoric animal models and figures we stock. As Moros is one of several new Schleich figures, we needed to create a Moros intrepidus scale drawing and fact sheet. We intend to send out the fact sheet with sales of the Schleich Moros model.”
For further information about the extensive range stocked by Everything Dinosaur, visit the company’s website: Everything Dinosaur.
Less than a week to go now before the start of the TetZooCon 2023 event. Once again, Everything Dinosaur are proud to be involved with this conference and as a sponsor we wish the organisers every success. This is the tenth TetZooCon, the conference is becoming an institution, a must attend event for anyone with an interest in the natural world, the Earth sciences and palaeoart.
Many of Everything Dinosaur’s chums will be attending. Unfortunately, pressures of work have once again prevented us from going, but we will be thinking of everyone next weekend.
The TetZooCon banner for 2023 which has been designed by Darren Naish, one of the conference organisers.
Picture credit: Darren Naish
TetZooCon 2023
TetZooCon 2023 will be held at Bush House, King’s College, London, on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 2023, with an evening reception on Friday December 1st and a fieldtrip on Monday 4th December. For the first time ever, the TetZooCon will consist of parallel sessions throughout.
Several of the sessions are dedicated to marine reptile research. Attendees will get the chance to meet “Flip” the world’s most scientifically accurate swimming plesiosaur. Dr Dean Lomax will be delivering a presentation covering the latest research into the “Rutland Sea Dragon”. Not to be outdone, Emily Swaby will be discussing Yorkshire’s very own giant marine reptile – Temnodontosaurus crassimanus.
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.
Palaeoart in Perspective
The very talented Luis Rey will lead a panel discussion on the Past and Future of Palaeoart. Co-host Darren Naish will provide an insight into the television series “Prehistoric Planet” and expect living archosaurs such as corvids and cassowaries to enter the debate.
On Sunday (December 3rd), Nigel Marven will look back on his adventures filming dinosaurs and other reptiles. In addition, during Sunday lunch time there will be a special screening of the film “The Lost World” from 1925.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We wish we could attend next weekend. Bush House at King’s College, London is going to be buzzing. Our congratulations to Darren Naish and John Conway for all their hard work organising such an exciting event.”
Today, Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with CollectA makes the fourth and final announcement about new CollectA models for 2024. We can introduce three new CollectA figures namely:
Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – Stalking.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Placerias.
All three of these new prehistoric animal models will be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2024 or thereabouts.
The Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – stalking figure.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon model.The male Diprotodon has an injury on its cheek. It is likely that these large mammals fought rivals. The CollectA Deluxe model sports a bite from another male Diprotodon.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Placerias model.
New CollectA Models for 2024
The last of the figures to be announced this year, include a polar dinosaur, the biggest marsupial that ever lived and a Late Triassic dicynodont. In total, there will be seven new CollectA prehistoric animals plus the mini sauropod set.
CollectA Nanuqsaurus – stalking
The Age of Dinosaurs Popular figure reflects the very latest scientific interpretation of Nanuqsaurus (N. hoglundi). Fossils of this tyrannosaur come from the Prince Creek Formation in northern Alaska. When first described in 2014 (Fiorillo and Tykoski), this dinosaur was thought to be relatively small, perhaps around six metres in length. Subsequent discoveries including cranial and postcranial material has led to a reassessment of this theropod. A scientific paper published in August (2023) postulated that Nanuqsaurus was comparable in size to other Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs such as Daspletosaurus.
Nanuqsaurus was probably a permanent resident of the polar north. At around nine metres long (possibly bigger), it was the apex predator in the environment.
The CollectA figure has been given a robust and powerful body. It is covered in a coat of shaggy feathers. The tail has a plume on its end. Whilst speculative (as is the entire integumentary covering), the plume could have played a role in visual communication, or perhaps this dinosaur wrapped its tail around its body to help keep it warm. This posture has been observed in other theropod dinosaurs. Nanuqsaurus would have had to endure around four months each year of almost total darkness. The paint scheme chosen would have provided excellent camouflage as this predator roamed the polar forests.
Diprotodon was the first fossil mammal from Australia to be scientifically described (1838). The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Diprotodon represents a male. This huge animal stood around 1.8 metres high at the shoulder, measured approximately 4 metres in length and weighed over 3 tonnes.
The CollectA Diprotodon has an old scar from an attack by a marsupial lion (Thylacoleo). When fully grown, a healthy male Diprotodon would have been virtually invulnerable.
The CollectA Diprotodon model has an old scar from a marsupial lion on its rump.
Related to living wombats, this gentle giant lived during the Pleistocene, becoming extinct less than 50,000 years ago. Climate change leading to extensive droughts may have been a factor, but hunting and habitat destruction by the first Aboriginal Australians cannot be ruled out. It is likely that Diprotodon males fought with each other over social status and mates, hence the fresh bite mark on the cheek and the torn ear which signifies an older injury.
The stripes on the rump are a nod in the direction of the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger). Advances in genetic engineering could lead to the de-extinction of the Thylacine and its reintroduction to Australia. CollectA have made a model of an extinct marsupial, and its colour scheme partly reflects the tantalising prospect of the resurrection of another iconic Australian animal.
CollectA Diprotodon has a torn ear. It is likely big males fought each other for mating rites, territory and social status.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Scale Placerias
The last figure for 2024 is a Deluxe Placerias. Placerias was a dicynodont and therefore distantly related to modern mammals. Fossils of this Late Triassic herbivore come from the USA, most notably from a single location in Arizona known as the “Placerias Quarry”. The remains of at least forty individuals have been found, suggesting that this herbivore lived in herds.
The new for 2024 CollectA Deluxe Placerias model.
The CollectA Deluxe Placerias joins the CollectA Lisowicia bojani model that was introduced in 2020. It is likely that Placerias spent much of its time wallowing in shallow water and feeding on bankside vegetation, filling an ecological niche similar to the extant hippopotamus.
Although associated with an equatorial environment, the CollectA Deluxe Placerias has been given a subtle coat of body hair.
The CollectA Deluxe Placerias has a sparse covering of body hair running down its back. This reflects recent research on dicynodonts.
Hair remnants found in the fossilised faeces (coprolites) of Permian carnivores indicate that dicynodonts may have been covered in a coat of insulating body hair and therefore endothermic (warm-blooded), with a metabolism similar to a modern mammal. In recognition of this recent discovery and to reflect its mammalian links, the CollectA Deluxe Placerias has been given a sparse patch of bristles running along its back to the chubby tail.
Model Measurements
Here are those all-important model measurements:
Age of Dinosaurs Popular Nanuqsaurus – stalking (length 15.7 cm, height 4.5 cm).
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Diprotodon (length 20.5 cm). We estimate the height at the shoulder to be around 12.5 cm).
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Placerias (length 15.7 cm, height 8 cm).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur confirmed that these figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2024.
The new Rebor GNG alligator models are in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Both figures are available, the “Downpour” and the “Basking” colour schemes. The pair of alligator figures are the latest editions to the Rebor GrabNGo range.
Each Rebor GNG figure measures 62 cm long. The figures are approximately 10.5 cm high and around 10 cm wide across the back.
Rebor GNG Alligator Models
Both figures are the same sculpt, just the colouration depicted by the subtle painting schemes is different. Each figure is supplied in two parts. Some assembly is required, the tail has to be fitted into the body. When assembled the alligator figure measures approximately 62 cm long. The highest point of the back is around 10.5 cm off the ground. Across the torso, the impressive alligator model is about 10 cm wide.
The new Rebor GrabNGo alligators require some assembly. The tail and body sections have to be heated to permit insertion. The stiff plastic of the models does represent a challenge, we recommend an adult takes responsibility for inserting the tail. The model in the photograph is the “Basking” colour variant. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
When inserting or removing the tail, we recommend an adult takes responsibility for this.
To view the range of Rebor models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Figures and Models.
The Rebor GrabNGo alligator fossils come with assembly and disassembly instructions. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Rebor Models and Figures
Rebor has extended its range to include extant reptiles as well as prehistoric animals. The two alligator figures join the recently introduced “Lonesome George” giant tortoise.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The two new alligator models are extremely detailed. It is recommended that the tail piece is gently heated before inserting it into the body piece. Hot water can be used to heat up the joints. However, we urge caution as the figure is hollow and if hot water is used, it would be necessary to drain any excess water before attempting to secure the tail.”
The Rebor GNG07 alligator figure in the Downpour colouration.
