The Papo running T. rex dinosaur model was spotted by a sharp-eyed team member of Everything Dinosaur whilst on a visit to a local museum. The popular Papo dinosaur figure was in a display case next to a replica claw and a replica tooth of a Tyrannosaurus rex. The Papo running T. rex model was helping museum visitors to get an impression of what this huge theropod might have looked like.
A Papo green running Tyrannosaurus rex model on display next to a replica of a T. rex tooth and a T. rex claw. An exhibit at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The model in the display case is not a scale dinosaur model. It does help to demonstrate the size of the claw and the T. rex tooth. This Papo running T. rex figure measures 33 centimetres long.
The Papo Running T. rex Dinosaur Model
The Papo running T. rex dinosaur model was introduced into the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range in 2012. Since its introduction, it has sold well and been a firm favourite amongst model collectors. It is one of several T. rex models in the Papo range.
A brown coloured version was also introduced. This was a limited-edition figure. The limited-edition figure was withdrawn from sale after a few months. Everything Dinosaur lobbied Papo and the model was re-introduced. The brown running T. rex figure is available from Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that whilst the Papo figure may not be the most accurate figure of a T. rex, the model helps to contextualise the museum display.
Children seeing the familiar dinosaur model in a museum display can make the link between the toys that they play with and the actual animals that the model represents.
The spokesperson added:
“Children were excited to see the T. rex exhibit. Many also recognised the Papo dinosaur model. Hopefully, they can make a connection between toys and fossils.”
Our thanks to dinosaur fan and model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur his review of the new 2.0 PNSO Giganotosaurus figure. The reviewer commented that the head sculpt of this new PNSO theropod had been influenced by recent carcharodontosaurid research.
The detailing around the eyes and the ridges on the naris are praised.
The new PNSO Lucas the Giganotosaurus dinosaur model.
PNSO Giganotosaurus 2.0
The deep set of the nostrils and skull shape is commented upon. When the articulated jaw is opened, rows of sharp teeth are displayed.
William comments:
“The PNSO Giganotosaurus is the most accurate Giganotosaurus carolinii head sculpt created to date.”
The reviewer states that dinosaur fans have a true Giganotosaurus standing before them when the model is unpacked. It has powerful neck muscles, a broad, strong back and a muscular tail. A wealth of varied folds and scales cover the model’s main torso.
“From top to bottom no area goes unloved. All is covered in the details never missed by PNSO and the figure has a cloaca.”
Giganotosaurus Limbs
The arms end in hands with fearsome claws. The middle digit is slightly larger than the other two. The hindlimbs are robust and powerful. The left foot is slightly raised as if this dinosaur was captured in mid stride. The reviewer comments on the colour scheme chosen for the model. He praises the subtle application of ochre around the snout. The orange eye is almost watching you. The fudge brown of the lacrimal crest and nasal ridges draws the eye towards the head.
The PNSO Giganotosaurus dinosaur model in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the spring (2023).
The Model Measurements
As with previous reviews, William provides the model’s measurements.
Scale = 1:35 with a length of 14 inches and a head height of approximately 3.5 inches. He explains that the figure is supplied with a clear, support stand. The Giganotosaurus box contains a full-colour booklet and dinosaur posters.
Time Period: Late Cretaceous 99.6–95 million years ago (Cenomanian).
Location: Argentina, Patagonia, Villa El Chocón, in the Neuquén Province.
The Science Behind the PNSO Giganotosaurus
Just ten years after the discovery of the fossils of Baryonyx walkeri, once again good fortune led to the discovery of another theropod dinosaur. Rubén D. Carolini was cruising the Villa El Chocón Badlands when he spotted a dinosaur bone (tibia). He contacted professional palaeontologists and at the 1994 meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Giganotosaurus was introduced to the world.
Giganotosaurus carolinii means Carolini’s giant southern lizard and the first illustration was created by renowned artist James Gurney. After viewing photos taken at the fossil site of the holotype, the team was offered funding to recover the specimen by Don Lessem. The team recovered 70% of the holotype skeleton which is now preserved and exhibited in the Ernesto Bachmann Paleontological Museum in Villa El Chocón.
Lucas the Giganotosaurus has an articulated lower jaw.
Theropod Classification
As part of his review William provided information on this dinosaur’s taxonomy.
Order: Theropoda
Superfamily: Allosauroidea
Clade: Carcharodontosauria
Family: Carcharodontosauridae
Tribe: Giganotosaurini
Genus: Giganotosaurus
Species: G. carolinii
William explained that palaeontologists estimate the length of this dinosaur at around 43 feet. It may have weighed in excess of 13 tons. It was the apex predator in the ecosystem. Giganotosaurus may have hunted titanosaurs. Perhaps packs of these carnivores mobbed large titanosaurs, or perhaps hunting tactics were more co-ordinated. Our thanks to William for providing some suggestions as to the hunting tactics employed by these super-sized predators.
The reviewer concluded by praising Everything Dinosaur and the manufacturer stating that PNSO had created a most accurate version of Giganotosaurus. He commented on the other theropod dinosaurs that PNSO had recently introduced and suggested that a Concavenator model should be included in the range.
William added:
“My thanks to all the team at Everything Dinosaur. Praise where praise is due to Everything Dinosaur. A Giga thank you to you all for your hard work now and in the future. With Everything Dinosaur, we are given a great choice of delivery options, and all are fairly priced.”
Our thanks to William for sending into Everything Dinosaur his comprehensive PNSO Giganotosaurus 2.0 model review.
The PNSO Basilosaurus model, part of the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range is to be retired. It was one of the first PNSO figures to be introduced, Everything Dinosaur can now confirm that it is out of production.
The PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Basilosaurus model.
The PNSO Basilosaurus Model
This large prehistoric whale figure was one of the first PNSO replicas to be supplied complete with transparent display stands. Measuring close to twenty inches in length (more than fifty centimetres long), this figure needed a lot of shelf space. Two species of Basilosaurus are known. Basilosaurus cetoides (the type species) was named by Sir Richard Owen (1839). A second species Basilosaurus isis was erected in 1904 (Andrews).
The Basilosaurus replica (PNSO). This replica is one of the first large figures to be made by PNSO.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are sorry to see the Basilosaurus retired. It was a fantastic figure of a Late Eocene prehistoric whale. PNSO have expanded their model range dramatically over recent years, model retirements are to be expected. PNSO will continue to add to their popular mid-size model range. We will announce a new PNSO figure in the very near future.”
An illustration of Basilosaurus. The human figure provides a scale. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur can confirm that two prehistoric animal models made by Schleich are now out of production and retired. With the recent introduction of five Schleich prehistoric animal figures, we can now confirm Schleich prehistoric animal model retirements.
The figures which have been retired are the Schleich Dimetrodon model that was introduced in 2019 and the Schleich pterosaur figure, the Dimorphodon.
The new for 2019 Schleich Dimetrodon model has now been retired by the German manufacturer.
The green-coloured 2019 Schleich Dimetrodon figure replaced an earlier Dimetrodon model (2016) with a reticulated pattern on its sail. It was one of five new model introductions into the Schleich prehistoric animal model range. Although not a dinosaur, Dimetrodon has proved to be a popular figure amongst collectors. Dimetrodon was a member of the Pelycosauria clade, a synapsid that lived during the Early Permian. Several species have been described.
The Schleich Dimorphodon Figure
Coincidently, the Schleich Dimorphodon figure was also introduced in 2019. It too is being retired. The Schleich Dimorphodon had distinctive “eye flashes” on its wings. It was depicted in a terrestrial pose. With its large skull and huge jaws, this pterosaur model proved to be popular with younger model collectors.
The Schleich Dimorphodon model (new for 2019).
Schleich Prehistoric Animal Model Retirements
A spokesperson from the UK-based Everything Dinosaur stated that both figures would be missed.
The spokesperson explained:
“We do appreciate that models have to be retired. Both the Dimetrodon and the Dimorphodon have been around for about four years, so they have had a good run. By taking some figures out of production this frees up space in the factory for new models.”
Our thanks to model collector and dinosaur fan William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the Mila the Mapusaurus dinosaur model. The Mapusaurus figure is one of several carcharodontosaurid models offered by PNSO.
William emailed Everything Dinosaur and explained that Mila arrived along with the new Lucas 2.0 Giganotosaurus model and Mungo the Meraxes.
The reviewer commented:
“All together an impressive trio of titans from the Southern Hemisphere”.
PNSO Mila the Mapusaurus
William explained that with the discovery of the Meraxes fossil material palaeontologists had a better understanding of carcharodontosaurid cranium anatomy. The head of the Mapusaurus model was described as being well-defined with prominent lacrimal crests and a nasal ridge.
The detailing around the eyes and the skin folds associated with the head sculpt were praised.
The PNSO Mila the Mapusaurus dinosaur model.
William explained that the majority of the theropod figures supplied by PNSO have articulated jaws. He highlighted the detailing around the jaws including the roof of the mouth.
Reviewing the Model’s Body
The powerful neck is mentioned, and the point made about the completeness of the holotype fossil material aiding the carcharodontosaurid design. The similarity between carcharodontosaurid body plans is noted and the skin folds and texture praised.
William stated:
“From tip to tip every inch of Mila is an example of how to do a proper dinosaur figure. Even the cloaca is spot on.”
A trio of carcharodontosaurids. The new PNSO Giganotosaurus model in 1:35 scale (top) along with the PNSO Mapusaurus (middle) and Meraxes figures (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Mapusaurus Limbs
The reduced forelimbs on the figure are examined. They were reduced in members of the Carcharodontosauridae. The reduction in size is not as extreme as within the abelisaurids or Tyrannosauridae. The reviewer explained that the highly detailed hands had three fingers. Each finger displayed a large claw, with the middle finger the largest of the three.
When referring to the hind legs, William commented:
“Mila’s hindlimbs are superbly sculpted with ripples and hints of veins. Each foot has three superb toes.”
The reviewer comments on the body colour and praised the combination of grey with a hint of rose pink. The colour scheme is a homage to the rosy, pink rocks associated with the holotype fossil material and honours Rose Letwin a sponsor of the excavation project.
The wide, charcoal stripes are highlighted, and the reviewer contrasts the Mapusaurus with other PNSO theropod figures.
Concluding his review William states:
“To the touch you can feel the fine detailing of the scales and the small scutes, the ripples folds and muscles are all very pleasing.”
An apex predator – the Mapusaurus dinosaur model from PNSO.
He also explains that the PNSO Mila the Mapusaurus dinosaur model is supplied with a transparent support stand. An information booklet and a colour poster are also included.
Time Period: Late Cretaceous 93.9–89.6 Million Years (Cenomanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous) Location: Argentina Province of Neuquén Cañadón del Gato.
Discovery: Over a period four years from 1997-2001 the Mapusaurus holotype was recovered by an Argentinian-Canadian Dinosaur Project. The holotype was described and named in 2006 by renowned palaeontologists Rodolfo Coria and Phil Currie.
Classifying the Dinosaur (PNSO Mila the Mapusaurus)
William also provided information on the taxonomy of Mapusaurus roseae.
He estimated that this theropod weighed around five tonnes and measured between thirty-six and forty feet in length.
Mapusaurus co-existed with several other theropods including Skorpiovenator and Ilokelesia.
Concluding his review William stated:
“All the PNSO Charcharodontosauridae figures are worthy of a place in any novice or serious collectors‘ collection. They are outstanding in every way.”
Our thanks to William for sending in his PNSO Mila the Mapusaurus dinosaur model review.
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.
Two Rebor dinosaur models feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter. The newsletter provides information on new model arrivals. It also lets customers know about product re-stocking. In this case, more stock of the popular Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain figure had arrived.
The Rebor Saurophaganax “Badlands” dinosaur model (left) and the re-stocked Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain (right),
To subscribe to Everything Dinosaur’s free, no obligation newsletter, simply drop the team members an email: Contact Everything Dinosaur.
Rebor Dinosaur Models
The two Rebor dinosaur models to feature in the newsletter are both theropods. The newsletter provided Everything Dinosaur subscribers and customers with the opportunity to purchase the Rebor Saurophaganax maximus figure in the “Badlands” colour scheme.
The Rebor Saurophaganax maximus has a flexible tail, movable arms and an articulated lower jaw. The “Badlands” colour variant is seen here in lateral view. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The recent arrival of more stock of the Rebor Tyrannosaurus rex “Kiss” Mountain was also publicised. This dinosaur figure has lips. It has been introduced alongside a counterpart model called “Tusk”. These figures highlight a current debate in palaeontology about whether dinosaurs had lips or not.
Some model manufacturers have reflected the current scientific debate by producing replicas with lips as well as lipless forms such as the recent Rebor “Kiss” and “Tusk” figures.
The Rebor T. rex “Kiss” Mountain figure is a superb replica. It is a 1:35 scale T. rex with an articulated lower jaw, articulated arms and a poseable tail. The model is supplied with a clear plastic support stand. Everything Dinosaur also sends out a Tyrannosaurus rex fact sheet with purchases.
Our thanks to prehistoric animal model collector Alberth, who is based in Costa Rica, for sending into Everything Dinosaur some photographs of the recently acquired Papo Mosasaurus model. It is always a pleasure to hear from Everything Dinosaur customers. We supply model collectors all over the world including many customers in Cental America.
Alberth was so keen to send Everything Dinosaur a photograph of the new model that the product packaging can still be seen in the shot.
The Papo Mosasaurus Model
The Papo Mosasaurus model is one of two marine reptile models being introduced by Papo this year. A Kronosaurus figure is due out in quarter 3/4 of 2023. The Mosasaurus marine reptile model measures over twenty-five centimetres long and it has an articulated jaw. Alberth emailed to say that the model had arrived in Costa Rica.
The new for 2022 Papo Mosasaurus model, complete with its dorsal fin. We think that this figure is reminiscent of the giant mosasaur seen in the “Jurassic World” film franchise.
Looking Forward to the Arrival of the Papo Woolly Rhino Figure
There are lots of passionate Papo model fans. Alberth in Costa Rica was delighted with the Mosasaurus figure. A request has already been received to email an alert when the reissued Papo Woolly Rhino model becomes available.
Perhaps we will receive some pictures of this model too, when it arrives in Costa Rica.
Our thanks to Alberth an Everything Dinosaur customer based in Costa Rica who sent in some photos of the recently arrived Papo Mosasaurus model.
The three new for 2023 PNSO carcharodontosaurid figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter. The 1:35 scale, Sci-Art Lucas the Giganotosaurus features as the headline item. It is supported by Mungo the Meraxes and the PNSO Mapusaurus figure (Mila).
The new for 2023 PNSO 1:35 scale Giganotosaurus model features in the latest Everything Dinosaur customer newsletter.
Members of the Carcharodontosauridae Family
All three of the new PNSO theropod figures represent members of the Carcharodontosauridae family. All three, Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus and Meraxes are known from fossils found in Argentina. However, most palaeontologists are confident that these super-sized predators were not coeval. In terms of geological age, Giganotosaurus (G. carolinii) is the oldest. Mapusaurus (M. roseae) is probably geologically younger than Meraxes gigas.
All three models feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter.
Two PNSO carcharodontosaurids – Mila the Mapusaurus and Mungo the Meraxes feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur newsletter.
Sinraptor and Styracosaurus in the Everything Dinosaur Newsletter
As well as updating subscribers on new models, the Everything Dinosaur newsletter informs customers about the restocking of already released items that had recently sold out. For example, our latest PNSO shipment also included the Sinraptor and Styracosaurus figures.
More stock of Xinchuan the Sinraptor figure and the PNSO Anthony the Styracosaurus model have arrived.
Xinchuan the Sinraptor and Anthony the Styracosaurus have proved to be extremely popular with model collectors and dinosaur fans. Everything Dinosaur team members were able to co-ordinate the shipment of new theropod figures with the factory producing more Sinraptor and Styracosaurus figures.
A spokesperson commented:
“The PNSO range is extensive and we were delighted to bring in some favourite figures along with the latest releases.”
