Everything Dinosaur team members have taken a photograph of Mojo Fun prehistoric mammals. A figure collector enquired about these two recently introduced prehistoric mammal replicas. The photograph helps to highlight the stunning details captured in the two figures.
Mojo Fun prehistoric mammal models. The Woolly Rhinoceros figure (left) and the Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Mojo Fun had previously included a Woolly Mammoth within its “prehistoric and extinct” range of figures. The new Woolly Mammoth model is likely to replace their earlier figure. The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) model is a new for 2023 release. It has already attracted widespread praise.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Mojo Fun Prehistoric Mammals
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur congratulated the design team.
The spokesperson added:
“These two Ice Age mammals are beautiful. Their shaggy coats have been skilfully modelled and there is much to admire in these two prehistoric mammal models.”
Mojo Fun Woolly Mammoth model (Mammuthus primigenius).
To visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Suskityrannus hazelae illustrated as preparations are made for the arrival of Wave 2 of the Beasts of the Mesozoic tyrannosaur figures. Team members have ensured that this early Late Cretaceous tyrannosauroid has been illustrated as the fact sheet for this new figure is being written.
An illustration of Suskityrannus hazelae in preparation for the next wave of Beasts of the Mesozoic theropod figures.
The Suskityrannus hazelae drawing will be converted into a scale drawing. This illustration will be incorporated into a fact sheet on this small theropod dinosaur.
The next shipment of Beasts of the Mesozoic articulated figures is expected to dock at Felixstowe at the end of July. The shipment will contain other, new Wave 2 theropods such as Proceratosaurus, Qianzhousaurus and Lythronax.
Named and described in 2019 (Nesbitt et al), this dinosaur is known from two fossil specimens. The fossils come from the Moreno Hill Formation of the Zuni Basin in New Mexico. The deposits associated with the tyrannosauroid fossils have been dated to around 92 million years ago.
Although known from fossil material representing juveniles, palaeontologists were able to make some startling conclusions. Suskityrannus hazelae, had the same general body shape and feet adapted to running (arctometatarsalian feet), as the later, much larger tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex.
Suskityrannus hazelae Illustrated
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The Suskityrannus illustration is one of three new drawings that we have commissioned. These drawings will be used in the prehistoric animal fact sheets that we intend to write. Fact sheets are sent out with sales of prehistoric animal and dinosaur figures.”
Everything Dinosaur will post up in the near future a brief video that demonstrates how the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus wings work. Our plan is to produce a video short. It will be around 45 seconds long and the video will show how the Schleich Quetzalcoatlus can be posed either flying or resting.
Everything Dinosaur has created a short video highlighting how the articulated wings on the new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus function. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Wings
The new Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model has jointed wings. There is a joint at each shoulder and a second joint where the manus (hand) on the pterosaur would have been. This permits collectors and fans of prehistoric animals to change the pose of their Quetzalcoatlus figure.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Schleich is not known for producing highly accurate figures. Their target market is young fans of prehistoric animals and dinosaurs. The company has taken a novel approach to this pterosaur model and we congratulate the design team for their innovative design.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich model range consists of a wider selection of prehistoric animal figures. A further five new dinosaur models were added to this range at the beginning of the year. The models are hand-painted and great for robust, creative play. Many of the models have points of articulation. This is the first Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model to have articulated wings.
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This week has been exceptionally busy for Everything Dinosaur team members with new model deliveries from Papo, Mojo Fun and now Schleich.
Still, despite their busy schedule Everything Dinosaur team members manage to keep smiling.
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. A new for 2023 pterosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Schleich Quetzalcoatlus Model
The colourful Schleich Quetzalcoatlus model has an innovative design. There are joints at the shoulders and at the hands which permits the wings to be bent. The figure can be posed in a resting position. Alternatively, the wings can be folded out to give the impression that this flying reptile is airborne,
The Schleich Quetzalcoatlus figure has jointed wings. The model can be displayed flying or in a resting pose.
Schleich has a long history of producing Quetzalcoatlus figures. Quetzalcoatlus featured in the original Schleich “Saurus” model series and also in the smaller Schleich dinosaurs range. This is the first Schleich pterosaur to be produced with articulated wings.
The model has a brightly coloured head. Palaeontologists think that pterosaurs had excellent colour vision.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The head of the Quetzalcoatlus is a striking combination of crimson and purple. The colour scheme chosen by the design team at Schleich is quite inspired.”
The spokesperson added:
“The novel, folded wings provide plenty of options for creative, imaginative play.”
The new for 2023 Schleich Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur model. This cleverly designed figure has articulated wings so that they can be folded permitting the flying reptile to be posed in a resting position. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Team members have been busy contacting all the customers who wanted to be informed about this prehistoric rhino’s arrival. The Woolly Rhino has been eagerly anticipated, it is a beautifully detailed replica of a Coelodonta antiquitatis.
The new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino model has arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis)
It is thought that this ancient rhinoceros evolved in Asia. During the Pleistocene Epoch it had an extensive range.
Fossils of Coelodonta antiquitatis have been found in the London area (Thames River gravels). The scientific name translates as “ancient hollow tooth”. The name derives from the animal’s teeth. Molars associated with this grazer of grasses and sedge have a distinctive cavity.
The Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros model measures around 19 cm in length. Everything Dinosaur team members estimate the head height to be around 7 cm.
A close-up view of the magnificent Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino Model
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is a spectacular replica of a Woolly Rhino. The model has a superb, tactile coat giving the impression of coarse hair. The two horns are carefully sculpted and even show signs of wear. Our congratulations to the design team at Mojo Fun.”
Proudly holding the new for 2023 Mojo Fun Woolly Rhino figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The last of the Woolly Rhinos are believed to have persisted in Siberia. The genus becoming extinct around 13,000 to 14,000 years ago. A research paper published in 2021 (Wang et al), postulated that some Woolly Rhinos could have survived into the Holocene, with the last of their kind dying out around 9,800 years ago. The conclusions of the study, which was based on the dating of environmental DNA, have been challenged. The environmental DNA could have originated from older sediments and subsequently redeposited into much younger strata.
The recently reintroduced Papo Archaeopteryx and Woolly Rhino models have arrived in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The two retired figures are available again. Team members have been busy contacting those customers about the reintroduction of these two prehistoric animal models.
The reintroduced Papo Woolly Rhino model (left) and the Papo Archaeopteryx (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows the first of these two figures to be unpacked this morning. A shipment of Papo models arrived including the Papo Archaeopteryx and the Woolly Rhino.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“It is great to see these old friends again. We know that many collectors missed out on these two models when they were originally launched. These model fans have the opportunity to complete their Papo collections.”
The Papo Woolly Rhinoceros model was introduced in 2013. It was retired a few years later. The figure has proved popular with collectors. Numerous Woolly Rhino fossils have been found in France and Papo were keen to introduce models of animals reflected in the country’s own extensive fossil record. The Woolly Rhinoceros had a large, keeled front horn. This horn and the model’s shape reflected fossil evidence and the prehistoric drawings found in French caves.
Great care has been taken to depict the anterior horn on the Papo Woolly Rhino model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Papo Archaeopteryx
The Papo “Urvogel” or Archaeopteryx was first introduced into the “Les Dinosaures” range back in 2014. This colourful theropod model was withdrawn in 2019. One of the ways in which manufacturers can engage with their customers is by reintroducing old favourites that had gone out of production. It also provides the manufacturer with a low-cost model. No mould making costs or development costs are associated with a reintroduced figure.
Papo Archaeopteryx “ancient wing” by Papo. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Papo Archaeopteryx and Woolly Rhino Figures
Dinosaur fans and model collectors have already begun to speculate on what other recently retired Papo figures might be returned.
The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur did confirm that discussions had taken place some years ago about the return of the iconic Papo standing T. rex model (green standing T. rex).
Another Friday and another busy day packing orders for Everything Dinosaur customers. We had been emailed by a customer asking for a photograph of the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor 1/6th scale model. The customer requested that we confirm that the figure in stock on our website was indeed the genuine article. We were happy to email over some photographs. There was time to take a close-up view of this scale dinosaur model.
A close up view of the CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
One of the first dinosaur models made by CollectA was a small, grey-coloured Velociraptor figure. A Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor was added to the company’s scale model range in 2011. This hand-painted replica measures approximately 32 cm in length. It has a head height of 12 cm. The CollectA Deluxe Velociraptor is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Velociraptor mongoliensis fact sheet.
Velociraptor is a popular prehistoric animal. It tends to feature in the top five of Everything Dinosaur’s surveys. Its popularity used to be down to its appearances in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” films. However, more recently a feathered, bird-like Velociraptor has been a star of the “Prehistoric Planet” television series (Apple+ TV).
The rare CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Velociraptor model. This figure was first introduced in 2011 and is becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, Everything Dinosaur stocks this Velociraptor figure.
The new for 2023 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus dinosaur model is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. This colourful abelisaurid joins the other recently introduced theropod dinosaur Cryolophosaurus. A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur welcomed the Majungasaurus into stock and stated:
“Majungasaurus puts Madagascar on the map when it comes to Late Cretaceous theropods”.
The new for 2023 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus available from Everything Dinosaur.
This striking theropod measures over 25 cm (10 inches) in length. The majestic head is approximately 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) off the ground. The dinosaur model will be supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Majungasaurus fact sheet.
Wild Safari Prehistoric World Majungasaurus in posterior view.
A Prehistoric World Majungasaurus
The Everything Dinosaur spokesperson praised Safari Ltd for adding a Majungasaurus to their model range and commented that the American company certainly had a great sense of humour, as one of the images of the model depicted this dinosaur devouring a biscuit.
Tea and biscuits with a Majungasaurus.
The colour scheme chosen depicts counter shading and the red stripes give this dinosaur a fearsome appearance. Majungasaurus was the apex predator in its environment. The model has the tiny arms of a Late Cretaceous abelisaurid. It also has a dimpled skin texture. Everything Dinosaur team members are not sure as to whether skin impressions of Majungasaurus are known.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Cryolophosaurus dinosaur model is coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur. A spokesperson from the UK-based company confirmed that the Cryolophosaurus figure was due to arrive next week.
The colourful Wild Safari Prehistoric World Cryolophosaurus dinosaur model is expected in stock at Everything Dinosaur.
Cryolophosaurus Dinosaur Model
Cryolophosaurus “frozen crested lizard”, was named and scientifically described in 1994. At around six metres in length, this theropod is thought to have been the apex predator in the Early Jurassic ecosystem associated with Antarctica. The new for 2023 Safari Ltd Cryolophosaurus sports a crimson crest. This thin crest earned this dinosaur the nickname “Elvisaurus”. The crest probably played a role in visual communication or confirming fitness for breeding.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Cryolophosaurus dinosaur model measures twenty centimetres in length. That beautifully sculpted head stands around eight centimetres off the ground. Sales of this dinosaur model will be sent out with a free Cryolophosaurus fact sheet. The fact sheet has been researched and written by Everything Dinosaur team members.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that Safari Ltd, was not releasing details about new models in a single press release. Introductions had been scheduled to take place throughout the year. As a result, Everything Dinosaur team members had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this colourful theropod figure.
The spokesperson added:
“It is a fantastic model. It’s great to have another dinosaur model representing the fauna of the southern part of Gondwana.”
Most ammonites had planispiral shells. However, throughout the course of the long evolutionary history of these remarkable and diverse cephalopods a huge variety of shell forms evolved. Everything Dinosaur team members spotted a stunning example of a heteromorph ammonite on display in the fossils gallery at the Manchester Museum.
A heteromorph ammonite fossil part of an exhibit showing the huge variety of ammonite fossil shells at the Manchester Museum. Most heteromorph ammonites evolved in the Cretaceous. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Heteromorph Ammonites
If asked to draw an ammonite shell, most people would sketch a tightly coiled shell, in a single plane with the diameter of each successive whorl getting bigger. This is a description of a typical ammonite planispiral shell. This would be an example of a homomorph shell. During the Late Jurassic, several new types of ammonite began to appear with varying degrees of uncoiled shells.
The colourful heteromorph ammonoid model – CollectA Pravitoceras. This model was introduced by CollectA in 2021.
The picture (above) shows the colourful CollectA Pravitoceras ammonite model. This figure was added to the CollectA model range in 2021. The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs series includes numerous extinct invertebrates. Trilobites, nautiloids, belemnites and ammonites are included in this substantial range.
These types of ammonites (heteromorph ammonites), became increasingly abundant during the Cretaceous and by the Late Cretaceous they were widespread and extremely diverse with a myriad of different types occupying marine environments.
Important Zonal Fossils (Heteromorph Ammonite Types)
Heteromorph ammonites were extremely numerous by the end of the Cretaceous. Many genera have become important zonal fossils. Both homomorph and heteromorph ammonites are used extensively by geologists for zoning strata and for relative dating of rock formations.
