Main Page - Part 332

18 02, 2015

The Rebor Replica Utahraptor (Helpful Assembly Instructions)

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:51:38+01:00February 18th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Rebor 1:35 Scale Replica of Utahraptor (Wind Hunter)

The new Rebor 1:35 scale replica of Utahraptor (U. ostrommaysorum) has an articulated jaw and moveable, feathered arms. It really is a most beautiful model. However, a little bit of assembly is required, here is Everything Dinosaur’s quick guide to assembling your Utahraptor.

Rebor Replica Utahraptor

The Rebor 1:35 Scale Utahraptor Replica (Wind Hunter)

Depicting an agile, active dinosaur.

This model is packed into a sturdy padded box (plenty of foam for protection). Carefully, unpack your parcel’s contents and locate the base. You should have a small plastic bag stored in a separate foam compartment that contains the two detachable arms and that all important pin to secure the model to its base.

The Rebor Replica Utahraptor “Wings” and the Securing Pin

Check that you have a pin in with the detachable arms. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Carefully, secure the arms in place, you can leave them as moveable arms or if you are happy with a particular pose, you can glue the arms in place if you want to. Perhaps, professional model makers could use a little filler and re-touching paint to completely obliterate any sign of an articulation/join.

Carefully Push the Arms into Their Respective Sockets

Carefully attach the arms. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Then it might be a good idea to remove the clear, plastic band that secured the articulated jaw in place before placing your model into position on its base. Put the pin into the hole, look for the footprint mark if you struggle to spot it, (a hole is already made for the pin in the base). Then carefully lower the hind foot onto the pin. The hind foot has a hole in it and it is this that allows the model to be posed in such a dynamic one-footed stance.

Securing the Replica onto the Base

Pinning a Rebor Utahraptor in place. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Really that’s all there is to it, time to relax and enjoy your 1:35 scale Rebor Utahraptor replica, the fearsome “Wind Hunter”.

To view the range of Rebor replicas available at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

16 02, 2015

Widespread Ecological Diversity Amongst Early Mammals According to New Study

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:52:09+01:00February 16th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Tree-dwellers and Burrowers – Early Mammals More Diverse than Previously Thought

Fossils of two mouse-sized, mammals from China, indicate that some of the earliest known mammaliaforms (extinct relatives of modern mammals), had already diversified and become highly adapted to different ecological niches. A joint Chinese/U.S. scientific team reporting in the academic journal “Science” discuss the implications for mammalian evolution and describe two new early mammals, one that was arboreal (tree dwelling) and fed on insects and tree sap, the other, a mole-like creature that probably spent much of its life underground.

Early Mammals

The tree dweller, named Agilodocodon scansorius lived around 165 million years ago, the subterranean creature called Docofossor brachydactylus was discovered preserved in slightly younger strata, it burrowed underground whilst dinosaurs roamed overhead some 160 million years ago. Both these creatures are Middle Jurassic Docodonts, an extinct Order of early proto-mammals.

The discovery of these two very different fur covered animals further supports the theory that just like modern-day mammals, Jurassic forms were highly adaptable and early mammals diversified to take advantage of a large range of ecological habitats.

Agilodocodon scansorius – Artists Impression and Skeleton Reconstruction

Early arboreal mammal from north-eastern China.

Picture credit: University of Chicago (illustration by April Neander)

Mesozoic Mammals

Commenting on the significance of these fossil finds, Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo (University of Chicago’s Department of Organism Biology and Anatomy), who co-authored the scientific papers stated:

“Before the turn of this century, it was generally thought that Mesozoic mammals could not diversify much in the dinosaur dominated ecosystem. But fossil discoveries in recent years have built up a different picture. In the last ten to fifteen years palaeontologists have found many Mesozoic mammals with very interesting functional and ecological specialisations.”

An International Research Team

The research team that studied these fossils, was made up of scientists from the Beijing Museum of Natural History and the University of Chicago. They conclude that Docodonts adapted to a very broad range of environments such as arboreal and subterranean habitats, despite competition from the Dinosauria, other reptiles and early birds. Agilodocodon was a small, swift animal with limb and finger bone dimensions that are comparable to modern tree dwelling mammals. Study co-author David Grossnickle, a graduate student at Chicago University emphasised that it was amazing to see arboreal adaptations occurring so early in the evolutionary history of mammals. He reflected that this research suggests that some extinct mammalian relatives exploited evolutionarily significant niches, long before true mammals.

An Artists Impression and Skeleton Reconstruction of Docofossor brachydactylus

Ancient mole-like animal.

Picture credit: University of Chicago (illustration by April Neander)

Agilodocodon Fossil Material

The Agilodocodon fossil material came from the Ningcheng County of Inner Mongolia, whilst the Docofossor material came from Hebei Province of China, to the south-east. Docofossor lived around 160 million years ago. It lived in burrows on shores of lakes and fed on worms and insects in the soil. This small creature had reduced bone segments in its fingers, leading to shortened but wide digits, perfect adaptations for digging.

African Golden Moles possess almost the exact same adaptation. This characteristic is due to the fusing of bone joints during embryonic development. With African Golden Moles, the development of the digits is influenced by the genes GDF-5 and BMP. As the extinct Docofossor has a very similar anatomy, the research team conclude that this genetic mechanism may have played a comparable role in early mammal evolution.

Mammals from the Middle Jurassic were once thought to have a very limited ecological footprint, only occupying a few niches in the food web. However, these two new fossil discoveries along with early finds studied by the Chinese team, fossils such as Castorocauda, a fish-eating, swimming Docodont described back in 2006, provide strong evidence that early mammals adapted to a very wide range of environments.

The Phylogenetic Relationship Between Docodonts, Early Mammals and Extant Mammalia

Examining the phylogeny of early mammaliaforms.

Picture credit: University of Chicago (illustration by April Neander)

Although not closely related to modern placental mammals such as our own species, the Docodonts are revealing themselves to have been a highly successful and very adaptable group of warm-blooded creatures. It is the mammalian trait of being very adaptable that many scientists believe was key to them becoming the dominant megafauna after the demise of the Dinosauria, Pterosauria and marine reptiles. It seems this adaptability runs deep in the mammal family tree.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the help of the University of Chicago in the compilation of this article.

To read another article that explores the diverse fauna of the Middle Jurassic strata of China: The Amazing and Diverse Daohugou Biota

14 02, 2015

Exporting to the United Arab Emirates

By Mike|2023-03-24T07:21:43+00:00February 14th, 2015|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Dinosaurs Fly out to the UAE as Everything Dinosaur Helps Support Washing Powder Promotion

For Sue Judd, Finance Director at Everything Dinosaur each day seems to bring new and remarkable challenges. Working in such a niche market, after all, there are not many businesses that sells dinosaurs, Sue never knows what the next incoming call or email might lead to.

Dinosaurs Fly Out

A leading sports and entertainment company based in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), got in touch and asked could we supply them with assorted dinosaur model kits, prehistoric animal skeleton models and Triceratops themed arts and crafts to help support a big promotion for one of the Persian Gulf’s leading washing powder brands. No worries, it’s all in day’s work and reassured by the fact that Everything Dinosaur have the advice and support of the International Trade team at South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, before you could say “Tyrannosaurus rex” it was all sorted out and the prehistoric animals were on their way to the UAE.

Sue Helps to Load Up the “Dino Van” with the Export Order

Off to the airport, Everything Dinosaur exports to the UAE. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur

Commenting on this latest export success for the dinosaur toys and models company, Sue stated:

“We seem to be building a reputation as the “go to” company when it comes to sourcing various items for use in dinosaur themed promotions. As a retailer, we are used to sending out parcels to customers all over the world, but it helps to know when we are dealing with exports that we have the Chamber of Commerce on board to help us out”.

It seems that dinosaur toys and games really do have world-wide appeal.

Everything Dinosaur stocks an extensive range of prehistoric animal and dinosaur themed merchandise. We send dinosaurs and prehistoric animals to customers all over the world, not just to the United Arab Emirates.

To view the range of dinosaur themed items available from Everything Dinosaur: Visit Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

13 02, 2015

Dinosaur Fan Makes Everything Dinosaur Unboxing Video

By Mike|2023-03-24T06:58:46+00:00February 13th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page|0 Comments

Matthew the Dinosaur King – Unboxing Video

At Everything Dinosaur we get the chance to view all the amazing pictures and videos sent into us or posted up on line by our customers. We are really impressed by all the hard work involved, for example, we noticed that Matthew, a keen fan of prehistoric animal models had posted up a video of him unboxing the new Safari Ltd models and two of the new for 2015 replicas from Schleich. In this short, (5 minute) video, Matthew unpacks the Carnegie Collectibles Velociraptor along with the four new Wild Safari Dinos prehistoric animals – Nasutoceratops, Sauropelta, Archaeopteryx and the amazing Yutyrannus. We were really impressed with the comments Matthew makes about these new dinosaur models.

Dinosaur Fan Makes Everything Dinosaur Unboxing Video

Picture credit: Matthew the Dinosaur King

New Prehistoric Animal Models

In addition, to the new Safari Ltd models, Matthew discusses the first of the new for 2015 Schleich World of History replicas, namely the beautiful Kentrosaurus and the colourful Anhanguera pterosaur, complete with articulated lower jaw. We know just how eager model collectors are when it comes to getting their hands on new prehistoric animal models, over the next few weeks or so our warehouse is going to be very busy with all the new stock deliveries. We are excited too.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Safari Ltd replicas: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figures and Models.

A Pleasure to See Unboxing Videos

A spokesperson from the UK based company commented:

“It is always a pleasure to view unboxing videos and to hear from our customers in general. We know how keenly model collectors anticipate new additions to ranges, so we work as hard as we can to get them into stock as quickly as possible.”

Everything Dinosaur Unboxing Video

Our congratulations to Matthew and we look forward to viewing his individual model reviews (as hinted in the video). One thing for sure, viewers can see how well packaged our parcels are, lots of bubble wrap on show and a strong box for sending out the items. We have been busy on a number of other projects this week, including sorting out the new Schleich replicas and models that are due out in the summer of 2015, we think that Matthew will probably want to make another unboxing video when the second batch of Schleich replicas become available later this year.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s current Schleich models: World of History Prehistoric Animal Models.

We know that Matthew and many of our other customers around the world have posted up videos and reviews, we do try and catch up with them all, give a “like”, provide a positive comment, give a Google thumbs up and so on. Everything Dinosaur is always delighted to see such reviews and videos posted up by our customers.

Well done Matthew.

11 02, 2015

Fossil Hunting Down Under

By Mike|2023-03-24T06:51:32+00:00February 11th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Geology, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Local Fossil Hunters Get the Chance to Work with Professionals

On Sunday 22nd February amateur fossil hunters will get the chance to visit one of the state of Victoria’s most important fossil sites and get advice from leading palaeontologists. Museum Victoria is holding a special event at the historic Beaumaris Bay fossil site. The sandstone cliffs preserve evidence of marine fauna from Australia’s prehistoric past. Many types of shark teeth have been discovered along with the fossilised bones of a number of marine vertebrates.

The day will involve talks from professional fossil hunters Dr Erich Fitzgerald (Museum Victoria), Professor Tim Flannery and Professor John Buckeridge of RMIT University (Melbourne). Local amateur fossil hunters will also have the chance to have their finds identified by these experts.

Fossil Hunting Down Under

Commenting on the special, interactive day dedicated to fossil collecting, Dr Erich Fitzgerald (Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology, Museum Victoria) stated:

“There is simply no better place to find fossils in Melbourne than Beaumaris. They have helped us paint a rich portrait of what Victoria was like millions of years ago. The abundance of fossils of large marine animals, especially sharks and whales, suggests that between 6 and 5 million years ago the coastal waters of Victoria were far richer in nutrients than they are today.”

But fossil hunting is not just for professional scientists, as most professional scientists are happy to admit. Fossils are being eroded out of the sandstone cliffs all the time and if it was not for the dedicated community of local fossil hunters, many potentially significant finds could be severely abraided by wave action or lost all together before a professional palaeontologist got the chance to explore the area.

Dr Fitzgerald Leading the Fossil Hunting Efforts

Dr Fitzgerald leading the fossil discoveries.

Five million year old giant bird fossil fossil held by Dr Fitzgerald.

Picture credit: Museum Victoria / Photographer: Jon Augier

Discovering New Fossils

Dr Fitzgerald added:

“In Museum Victoria’s collection there are thousands of stunning fossils from Beaumaris, many collected by enthusiastic members of the public with a keen interest in palaeontology. The public can provide an extremely valuable insight from their fossil discoveries, which would potentially not have been uncovered otherwise.”

Back in 2012, Everything Dinosaur reported on the discovery of a fossilised leg bone found in the Beaumaris Bay area that was identified as belonging to a new genus of “toothed” marine bird.

To read more about this discovery: Giant “Toothed” Birds Once Soared over Southern Australia.

With such a huge country to explore, Everything Dinosaur has predicted on numerous occasions that this continent will provide palaeontologists with a number of new fossil discoveries, even new types of dinosaur. Members of the public who participate in sensible, careful fossil hunting and who are sensitive to the environment and wish to work within the fossil hunting code can make a huge contribution to the Earth sciences.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the support of Museum Victoria in the preparation of this article.

10 02, 2015

Bamford Academy Foundation Stage Study Spectacular Dinosaurs

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:54:50+01:00February 10th, 2015|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Chicks and Ducklings Learn All About Dinosaurs

For children in the Chicks and Ducklings classes at Bamford Academy, this term has been a very busy one as they have been learning all about dinosaurs, fossils and life in prehistoric times. There were lots of colourful dinosaur themed artwork on display in the classroom and the budding young palaeontologists had looked at dinosaur eggs and pinned up many different types of prehistoric animals on the classroom’s “WOW” wall.

Class 1 and 2 Have Discovered That There Were Many Different Types of Prehistoric Animal

Lots of different extinct animals on display.

Picture credit: Bamford Academy/Everything Dinosaur

Foundation Stage Study Dinosaurs

Everything Dinosaur’s fossil expert who visited the school was shown where the volcanoes were in the picture and another very knowledgeable child pointed out that dinosaurs laid eggs. During the tactile dinosaur workshop we looked at describing words for dinosaurs and fossils. Real fossils feel cold and hard and some fossils can be really heavy. When it came to considering appropriate describing words for a jawbone from a Triceratops, the children came up with words like “large” and “massive”, it took three of us to carry the jaw round to show the class, our expert was reliably informed that the teeth of Triceratops feel rough!

The children were keen to take part and we had lots of describing words volunteered, one little girl, stated that the tooth of “Tyrannosaurus rex was gigantic!”

Lots of Evidence on Display of Activities to Develop Vocabularies

Lots of describing words for dinosaurs on display.

Picture credit: Bamford Academy/Everything Dinosaur

Comparing Our Bodies to the Bodies of Dinosaurs

A key theme of the teaching topic had been comparing our bodies to those of dinosaurs. The enthusiastic teaching team had come up with a very creative way of demonstrating how big T. rex was. A drawing of the three-toed print of a Tyrannosaurus rex was made and the children counted how many pairs of their shoes would it take to fill up the footprint. The feet of some dinosaurs were very big and it was wonderful to see such a thoughtful method used to demonstrate just how large some dinosaurs were.

Working out the Size and Scale of Some Dinosaurs

Measuring and comparing.

Picture credit: Bamford Academy/Everything Dinosaur

Some dinosaurs really did make enormous footprints. The very biggest dinosaurs made footprints so large that if the track was filled with water a member of Chicks or Ducklings class could have had a bath in it?

Getting to Grip with Dinosaur Footprints

Comparing different types of dinosaur footprint.

Theropod print compared to an ornithopod print.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture above shows one of Everything Dinosaur’s teaching aids showing two different types of dinosaur track.

Herbivores and Carnivores

We looked at plant-eaters as well as meat-eaters and the children were keen to demonstrate their knowledge as to what Triceratops and other dinosaurs ate. It is a pity that we did not have any Stegosaurus fossils to show the children as there was a lovely, friendly Stegosaurus painted on one of the walls outside the classroom area. The teaching team had encouraged the children to decorate the plates that ran along this dinosaur’s back and the children had also measured how long this dinosaur was by comparing it to the size of their own hands.

Measuring a Stegosaurus

How many hands?

Picture credit: Bamford Academy/Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaurs as a term topic has certainly proved to be very popular with the children and it was clear that a very effective, creative and challenging scheme of work for this topic had been prepared by the teaching team.

Everything Dinosaur stocks a wide range of educational, dinosaur themed toys and games including replicas of iconic prehistoric animals. To see what is available: Everything Dinosaur Educational Toys, Games and Gifts.

9 02, 2015

Australia’s Extinction Rate Revealed to be Higher than Most other Continents According to New Research

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:58:04+01:00February 9th, 2015|Categories: Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

Many Native Mammal Species on the Brink of Extinction

A survey on Australia’s native mammal species due to be published this week will reveal that Australia is losing its mammal species at a faster rate than almost anywhere else in the world. Much of the native fauna of Australia is unique and the introduction of cats and foxes is having an dramatic toll on small mammal species. As most of these mammals are shy and nocturnal, people are simply not aware that many species are threatened.

In a scientific report prepared by Charles Darwin University (Northern Territory) the research team state that since 1788, the year of the founding of the first European colony on the continent, 11% of the 273 native, terrestrial mammals had become extinct. The report suggests that 21% are threatened with a further 15% near threatened.

The Thylacine – A Famous Australian Extinction

A Thylacine (bottom right), is included in the Australian mammals part of the gallery (Senckenberg Museum).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Extinction Rate

Lead author of the study, conservation biologist John Woinarski declared:

“No other country has had such a high rate and number of mammal extinctions over this period, and the number we report for Australia is substantially higher than previous estimates.”

Cats are regarded as the number one problem. Nobody knows for sure how many feral cats there are in Australia, but some estimates put it at around 23 million. That’s one cat for every person in the country. Foxes introduced for hunting, have also had an impact on native wildlife. However, land management and agricultural practices may also be playing a role in the decline of many native species.

Fires either natural or deliberately started are also having a dramatic effect on the small mammal population.

Dr Woinarski explained:

“Now we are seeing much more extensive and hot fires and that’s having an impact as well. It’s not as serious a factor as predation by feral cats, which we think is the number one factor. But the two factors aren’t independent. It seems the impact of feral cats is far worse in extensively burnt areas, simply because many of those native land mammals species don’t have enough refuge left.”

Native Mammals Under Threat

In time, some of Australia’s most famous inhabitants might become extinct, animals like the Koala and many types of Wallaby.

The Charles Darwin University has been prominent in recent years, undertaking a number of significant and highly influential environmental research projects to assess the health of the country’s native flora and fauna. The Brush-Tailed-Rabbit-Rat (Conilurus penicillatus), is one such mammal that has declined in numbers over the years. Its small size and secretive nature has meant that the reduction in population has gone unnoticed by most Australians.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Hopefully, this new study will help to highlight the plight of many of Australia’s shy, nocturnal small mammals. Tough choices may have to be made with regards to controlling feral cat populations and reducing the number of foxes if the decline in native species is to be halted.”

The Cane Toad

Intriguingly, Everything Dinosaur team members are not aware of any mention of the Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) and this amphibians impact on native mammal populations. Introduced from Hawaii in the mid 1930s, the Cane Toad is poisonous and has no natural enemies in Australia. The Cane Toads not only compete for food and resources with native species, but they also eat large numbers of insects, including pollinators, frogs, small lizards and occasionally small mammals. As these animals are poisonous throughout their life cycle, many Australian species have declined as a result of being poisoned the Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii) is particularly threatened.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 02, 2015

The Prehistoric Animals of Jurassic World – Mosasaurus

By Mike|2023-03-24T06:33:32+00:00February 7th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Movie Reviews and Movie News|3 Comments

The Mighty Mosasaurus – A Little Too Mighty!

With around 120 days or so until the premier of the long-awaited film, “Jurassic World”, the fourth in the “Jurassic Park” franchise, we thought that it would be a bit of fun to comment on the various prehistoric animals and other critters that are likely to feature in this movie. In this occasional series, we shall take a look at the rather eclectic range of cloned creatures that inhabit the theme park based on the tear drop shaped island Isla Nublar.

First up, one of the attractions at the centre of the Jurassic World theme park, and a new addition to the catalogue of prehistoric animals featured in the franchise, is Mosasaurus.

Mosasaurus Feeding on a Shark

Come and see the mosasaur.

Picture credit: Jurassic World/Universal Studios

Jurassic World Mosasaurus

Clearly, with a nod towards the Killer Whales seen at the Sea World theme parks, InGen part of Masrani Global, have added giant marine reptiles to their genetic portfolio. Quite how they have managed to get hold of the DNA of a Mosasaurus remains a bit of a mystery, but hey ho, it’s only pretend.

The tank housing the Mosasaurus (a female), contains 11,000,000 litres of presumably sea water, since the majority of mosasaurs were marine animals. That is the equivalent of 2.4 million imperial gallons, an impressively sized aquarium, but around half the size of the existing Killer Whale pool at San Diego Sea World. Sea World has received a lot of criticism over the size of their Orca aquaria and recently it was announced that plans were in place to build a much bigger habitat at San Diego.

Enriching the Environment

The plans include a number of ideas to enrich the Killer Whale’s environment, the larger brained cetaceans would require much greater stimulation than the mosasaurs with their close phylogenetic affinity to snakes and lizards.

That’s right, mosasaurs belong to the Order Squamata (snakes and lizards), Mosasaurus was named and described back in 1822 following the scientific study of fossils found in a chalk quarry near Maastricht, Holland. A number of species of Mosasaurus have been described and scientists believe that the Mosasauridae evolved from land-dwelling lizards sometime in the Late Cretaceous (estimated to have evolved around ninety million years ago). They thrived for twenty-five million years with a number of species becoming apex marine predators, the largest of which could have exceeded eighteen metres in length.

Extinct at the End of the Cretaceous

This group died out in the End Cretaceous extinction event that also saw the demise of the dinosaurs. As far as we at Everything Dinosaur know, the mosasaurs, as part of the taxonomic Superfamily Mosasauroidea, are the most recent Superfamily associated with the Order Squamata to have become extinct.

The Mosasaurus as Depicted on the Jurassic World Website

The Mosasaurus from Jurassic World.

Mosasaurus Feeding Show

In the information provided about the “Mosasaurus Feeding Show”, this creature is fed every two hours, that’s a lot considering that, like their living relatives the Monitor Lizards, these reptiles were probably cold-blooded and could have survived for long periods without eating much at all. The feeding time must be more like “snack time” for the Mosasaurus, although in the much viewed Jurassic World trailer, the Mosasaurus is depicted leaping out of the water to swallow whole what looks like a Great White Shark!

As for the size of the Mosasaurus in the movie, there has been a lot of comment about this already. The animal looks enormous in the trailer, but like a number of other marine reptiles, palaeontologists have got their shrink rays to work on the fossil material. Previous estimates for a number of marine reptiles have been re-sized downwards in recent years. In the picture in which Mosasaurus is seen leaping out of the water to feed on a shark, if we estimate the size of the shark at three metres long, then the Mosasaurus is easily upwards of twenty-five metres in length.

The Biggest Mosasaurs

So far as the fossil record goes, the biggest Mosasaurus could have reached lengths of a little over half this size. Other types of mosasaur, the likes of Hainosaurus may have been bigger, but even at thirteen metres a Mosasaurus would have been a frightening prospect.

Estimating the Sizes of Extinct and Extant Marine Predators

A “rough guide” to size.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture above provides an approximate size guide for a number of marine predators. Killer Whales range in size from 5-8 metres. Size estimates for Great White Sharks vary and the same can be said for Carcharodon megalodon* as well as the marine reptiles depicted. However, whichever way you look at it, the Mosasaurus as shown in the Jurassic World trailer is oversized. Perhaps those geneticists at InGen simply grew a bigger Mosasaurus who knows? Even on the Jurassic World promotional website size estimates for their attraction vary, there is one reference for fourteen metres in length, another for eighteen metres.

A Tail Fluke

A number of palaeontologists now contend that Mosasaurus had a tail fluke. The model makers CollectA created a modern interpretation of a Mosasaurus in 2014, with a tail fluke added. Safari Ltd have a beautiful Mosasaurus model in their Wild Safari Dinos range as well as a Tylosaurus replica in the company’s Carnegie Collectibles series.

To view the CollectA range of prehistoric animals including the Mosasaurus: CollectA Prehistoric World Models.

Comparing Different Mosasaur Models (including Tylosaurus replicas)

Comparing different models of mosasaurs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture shows the CollectA 2014 Mosasaurus replica with its wonderful colouration and that tail fluke (top), the Wild Safari Dinos Mosasaurus model (middle) and the Carnegie Collectibles (bottom).

To view the range of Carnegie and Wild Safari Dinos models available from Everything Dinosaur: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models.

We are not sure how big a role the Mosasaurus is going to play in the Jurassic World movie, but we are delighted to see the addition of marine reptiles to the film franchise. They are most welcome.

Carcharodon megalodon* – this prehistoric shark has been reclassified and is now referred to as Otodus megalodon.

Recently Nanmu Studio introduced a replica of the Mosasaurus from the movie franchise. The model has been called “Lord of the Abyss”.

Nanmu Studio Mosasaurus “Lord of the Abyss”.

To view the Nanmu Studio model range in stock: Nanmu Studio Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

4 02, 2015

Schleich Mini Dinosaurs in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

By Mike|2023-03-23T21:45:59+00:00February 4th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The Very Collectible Schleich Mini Dinos Range

The Schleich mini dinosaur model range is now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. New for 2015, Schleich have introduced a range which consists of eight highly collectible prehistoric animal figures. The models range in size from 5.5 cm to around 7.5 cm in length and the set features seven dinosaurs and one member of the Pterosauria (flying reptile).

The Schleich Mini Dinosaurs Model Series

Can you name them all? Can you name all eight prehistoric animal models in the Schleich mini dinosaurs set?

Picture credit: Schleich /Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Mini Dinosaurs

Everything Dinosaur stocks a large range of Schleich prehistoric animal figures. To see the Schleich range of dinosaurs and other figures on Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Schleich Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Each one of these miniature replicas has been hand-painted and we love the different colour schemes that have been chosen. These are certainly busy times for the design team at the German manufacturer.

Highly Collectible Schleich Mini Dinosaurs

Schleich mini dinosaurs (plus one member of the Pterosauria). A set of eight prehistoric animal figures to collect.

Picture credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

Eight Prehistoric Animal Figures

The models are: Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, Saichania (an armoured dinosaur from Mongolia), Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Pentaceratops (both members of the Ceratopsidae), Spinosaurus and an azhdarchid pterosaur – Quetzalcoatlus.

One of the New Mini “Dinosaurs” from Schleich

The pterosaur figure in the model series. A replica of the azhdarchid pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

These new, inexpensive replicas are highly collectible as well as being ideal for creative, imaginative play.

A spokesperson for UK-based Everything Dinosaur praised the design team at Schleich and congratulated them for introducing such a colourful set of prehistoric animal figures.

The spokesperson added:

“These eight models are highly collectable and we are sure that young dinosaur fans are going to want to collect them all. These hand-painted figures are bound to be very popular.”

31 01, 2015

Strange Hominin Fossils From China – A New Species?

By Mike|2023-03-23T18:47:09+00:00January 31st, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Hominin Fossils from Northern China Could be a New Species

A new study of fossilised teeth and jaw fragments found in a cave back in 1976, suggests the possibility of an unknown species of human living in northern China between 120,000 and 60,000 years ago. A paper published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology concludes that the teeth have similarities with Homo neanderthalensis and the much older hominid species H. erectus.

Ancient Hominins

The research was carried out by a team of scientists from Beijing’s Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology in conjunction with anthropologists from the National Research Centre on Human Evolution (Burgos, Spain). The fossils represent the remains of four individuals and the teeth do not resemble those of modern humans. Instead, they possess a range of primitive and more derived features, this could indicate a new species, yet to be described or possibly a hybrid hominid, a result of interbreeding between two already described species. The fossils were found in a cave close to the village of Xujiayao, Yanggao County in Northern China. The site is approximately 120 miles west of Beijing.

María Martinón-Torres (National Research Centre on Human Evolution), explained that the research team examined the size and shape of the tooth crowns and their associated root system, the groves, cusps and crests. These features were then compared to over five thousand fossil teeth representing nearly all the known hominin species. The features of teeth are diagnostic when it comes to determining species and phylogenetic relationships.

The Xujiayao Fossil Teeth Compared to a Modern Human

The Xujiayao cave teeth (left) are compared to a modern human (right).

Picture credit: Dr Martinón-Torres with additional annotation from Everything Dinosaur

Hominin Fossils from China

Dr Martinón-Torres, a specialist in ancient hominin dentition stated:

“Teeth are like landscapes in miniature. Each of those slopes, grooves and valleys define a pattern or combination of features that can be distinctive of a population.”

Although a number of palaeoanthropologists have challenged the team’s results and all agree that more fossil material from ancient Asian hominins is required so that a more complete picture can be built up, this study does raise the possibility that there may have been an as yet, unknown species of human living in northern China as recently as sixty thousand years ago.

Isolated Pockets of Early Hominins

Given the size of Asia and its relative remoteness thanks to foreboding geological features such as the Ural mountains and the Himalayas, it is not surprising that isolated pockets of early hominins could have evolved distinct characteristics. Or indeed, given the harsh environment and tough lives of these ancient humans it is not entirely surprising that interbreeding did occur between closely related species that overlapped territories. Team members at Everything Dinosaur predict that more hominin fossils will be found in Asia that further complicate the relationships between the various recognised species.

Ancient Human Remains

Back in 2012, Everything Dinosaur reported on a study of human fossil remains found in south China that could represent a new species of hominin. These ancient humans were nicknamed the “Red Deer People” and they lived much more recently than the Xujiayao hominins. The research was carried out by scientists from the University of New South Wales and one of the researchers involved in this earlier study, Darren Curnoe, supports the idea of the Xujiayao fossils being a separate species. He stated that although the sample was small, the unique characteristics of the teeth did suggest that a new species had been found.

The Associate Professor commented:

“It strongly suggests the presence of a previously unrecognised species. There’s little doubt in my mind that these teeth stand out as something unique.”

To read more about the research into China’s “Red Deer People”: Stone Age Remains from Southern China Might Represent Entirely New Human Species.

Most palaeoanthropologists accept that from the Middle to the early Late Pleistocene Epoch, a time interval that spans from about 340,000 years ago to 90,000 years ago, Neanderthals occupied Europe and western Asia. Anatomically modern humans were present in Africa, but the paucity of fossil material prevents scientists from describing the hominin populations of most of Asia. Furthermore, the evolutionary interaction between eastern populations of hominins and those from Europe and Africa remains poorly understood. The Xujiayao teeth sample expands the variability for early Late Pleistocene hominin fossils and also suggest that a primitive early human lineage may have survived into the Late Pleistocene in northern China.

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