Everything Dinosaur team members received a request from a prehistoric animal model collector for more information about the invertebrate replicas included within the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular model range. As always we were happy to oblige and emailed over further information, including some pictures of the CollectA trilobite model.
CollectA Redlichia rex trilobite model.
CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Models
Over recent years, the design team at CollectA have added several replicas of extinct, iconic prehistoric invertebrates to their Age of Dinosaurs Popular range. For example, in 2020 CollectA added a trilobite replica to their product portfolio, a replica of the large, predatory trilobite called Redlichia rex.
Everything Dinosaur team members have prepared some images of CollectA invertebrate models including the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular trilobite model (Redlichia rex). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
CollectA Trilobite Model
Team members were happy to send over the additional information as requested. We are always pleased to hear from fellow model and figure collectors.
The fifth batch of frogspawn has been spotted in the office pond. The fresh spawn was spotted yesterday morning (8th March, 2023). Despite the wintry weather, with air temperatures dropping to near zero the frogs have continued to spawn. The night was cold and a small amount of ice formed over the pond. Team members will continue to monitor the office pond frogspawn.
The frogs (Common frogs), seem undeterred and have continued their spawning.
The 5th batch of frogspawn has been spotted in the Everything Dinosaur office pond. The frogspawn was laid on March 8th. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Frogspawn in the Office Pond
The first frogspawn was observed on the morning of the 28th of February. This is the earliest date in the year that we have seen frogspawn. Over the years, the date of the Common frogs (Rana temporaria) spawning has got earlier and earlier. A decade ago, frogspawn was normally observed around the third week of March. In 2022, frogs spawned on the 2nd of March. Our monitoring of the spawning dates suggests that the trend is for the frogs to breed earlier each year. Perhaps this is indicative of climate change and global warming.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur, took a break from packing dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed orders for customers and stated:
“We try not to disturb the pond too much. However, we like to monitor the frogs to make sure all is well. As cold weather is forecast for the next two to three days, we have gently and carefully moved the spawn into deeper water to give the eggs some protection from the forecast cold snap.”
Potentially Delayed Hatching
The unseasonably cold temperatures with widespread snow likely to fall across the north-west of England could delay the hatching of the eggs. Everything Dinosaur team members think that the rate of development of the tadpoles is influenced by the water temperature. The pond water is likely to remain very cold for at least the next few days. This cold weather may slow the rate of hatching.
Team members promise to keep observing and taking steps to make sure that the pond wildlife is safe.
To coincide with World Book Day (2nd March, 2023), here is Everything Dinosaur’s review of “Ancient Sea Reptiles” by Darren Naish. We have had an inspection copy of this eagerly awaited publication for a few weeks, and now that the book is officially available, we thought it an opportune moment to post up our thoughts and comments.
Ancient Sea Reptiles by Dr Darren Naish. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Ancient Sea Reptiles
Dr Naish provides a comprehensive overview of Mesozoic marine reptiles. These denizens of the deep are in safe hands as the accomplished author guides readers through their evolutionary history before going on to dedicate individual chapters to each of the main marine reptile groups.
The Dinosauria may have dominated terrestrial environments. This carefully crafted and beautifully illustrated book leaves the reader in no doubt as to the majesty and variety of reptiles that thrived in the Mesozoic seas.
A less confident writer might have struggled to provide an overview of the anatomy of this extremely diverse group of marine adapted reptiles. Sea turtles, shark-shaped reptiles, plesiosaurs, thalattosuchians and mosasaurs are all tackled with aplomb, and the evolutionary changes required to adapt to an aquatic lifestyle are reviewed in a single compendious chapter. For example, the function of the plesiosaur’s neck is explained and the likely swimming styles of various body plans is clearly elucidated through the skilful use of descriptive text.
Exquisite Photography
Photographs of important fossil discoveries are included along with detailed and informative notes. A glossary is also provided to assist readers with terminology. Some of the lesser-known Mesozoic marine reptiles such as the Triassic sauropterygians, Cretaceous sea snakes and the mesosaurs – the world’s first aquatic reptiles, have their own dedicated chapter.
The paddle bone of a leptonectid ichthyosaur.
Stunning Artwork and Life Reconstructions
“Ancient Sea Reptiles” is richly illustrated with striking specimens and life reconstructions from many highly respected palaeoartists. The author also contributes to the illustrations providing drawings and cladograms.
The author provides many of the cladograms and prehistoric animal illustrations.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the book and commented:
“This is an extensively researched and most informative volume written in an easy to understand language that will please the academic and general reader alike. Ancient Sea Reptiles is highly recommended.”
To purchase Ancient Sea Reptiles by Darren Naish, visit the publisher’s website and search for either the book title or the author: Visit the Publisher’s Website.
We have frogspawn in the office pond. This morning (February 28th, 2023), the first batch of frogspawn was spotted in the Everything Dinosaur office pond. The eggs had probably been laid just a few hours earlier in the very early morning. It had rained in the night and there was extensive cloud cover. The night had been chilly with temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius, what would normally be expected in our area at the end of February.
This is the first time that we have recorded frogspawn in February.
The first frogspawn has been laid in the office pond. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Frogspawn in February
We have not recorded frogspawn in the office pond being laid in February before. Last year, we recorded the first frogspawn on March 2nd, this was the earliest we had recorded spawn, until a new record for early spawning was set this year.
Over the last few years, Everything Dinosaur team members have noted the date of the first frogspawn being laid. The trend is for the frogs (Rana temporaria) to spawn earlier each year. Is this caused by the impact of global climate change?
Earliest recorded spawning dates for Common frogs in the office pond:
February 28th 2023
March 2nd 2022
March 11th 2021
March 20th 2020
March 22nd 2019
March 17th 2018
March 11th 2017
March 20th 2016
March 12th 2015
Other dates when we have recorded the first frogspawn in a year:
March 19th 2013, March 11th 2012, March 18th 2011 and the first ever frogspawn in the office pond was laid on March 16th 2008.
The next edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine (issue 144) is on its way and should be with readers in a couple of weeks. Our thanks to magazine editor Mike Fredericks who sent into Everything Dinosaur a preview of the front cover artwork which was created by Daniel Navarro, a very talented artist from Spain.
The front cover image of the next edition of the quarterly publication “Prehistoric Times”.
“Prehistoric Times”
We are reliably informed that this issue (winter 2023), will feature an interview with the Canadian palaeoartist Julius Csotonyi. We suspect that the interview will feature his new book “Dinosaur World”, a publication eagerly anticipated by fans of his artwork as it includes over 1,200 different dinosaur illustrations. Fans of palaeoart on this side of the Atlantic get to hear from John Conway about his latest projects including his own book, which is due out shortly entitled “A History of Painting (with Dinosaurs)”.
Visit the “Prehistoric Times” website to subscribe to this quarterly magazine: “Prehistoric Times”.
Featured Prehistoric Animals
The featured prehistoric animals in issue 144 are the Chinese early tyrannosauroid Dilong and the biggest snake known to science – Titanoboa. Readers can expect to see lots of amazing artwork.
A drawing of Titanoboa commissioned by Everything Dinosaur for a fact sheet on Titanoboa for a Rebor model.
The Titanoboa illustration (above) was commissioned by Everything Dinosaur so that the UK-based company could produce a scale drawing of the giant prehistoric snake for the fact sheet that was despatched with Rebor Titanoboa figures.
To view the range of Rebor models including museum class Titanoboa maquettes (whilst stocks last): Rebor Models and Figures.
Everything Dinosaur received this week a copy of “Two Acres of Time” by Richard S. Laub, the former curator of geology at the Buffalo Museum of Science (New York). The book documents the remarkable Pleistocene fossil and archaeological deposit preserved at Byron (Genesee County in New York State).
The arrival of “Two Acres of Time” by Richard S. Laub and published by Columbia University Press. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
“Two Acres of Time”
The location formally owned by the Hiscock family (the fossil quarry is often referred to as the Hiscock site), preserves evidence of mastodon elephants as well as flint tools from humans that were present in this area around 10,000 years ago. The book tells the story of the fossil and archaeological excavations and highlights the remarkable dedication and enthusiasm of the hundreds of volunteers that have worked to uncover the fossils and other artefacts from this unique location.
Published by Columbia University Press, this book explains how scientists explore, investigate, excavate and preserve evidence of ancient landscapes and the animals and people that lived in them.
Aimed at students, academics as well as the general reader, team members at Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to reading this recently published book.
To find this book visit the Columbia University Press website and search under the author Richard S. Laub or alternatively, under the book title “Two Acres of Time”.
Whilst out of the office for a few hours, taking a break from picking and packing parcels for customers, a team member at Everything Dinosaur spotted a trio of cheerful dinosaurs on a gift bag. The three dinosaurs were off to a party and they were hoping that everyone was going to have a roarsome day!
A cheerful, trio of colourful dinosaurs spotted by an Everything Dinosaur team member. Have a roarsome day! Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Have a Roarsome Day!
It is not often we come across an image of a blue Triceratops riding a skateboard, or an orange Tyrannosaurus rex wearing a paper hat. Indeed, we do not often see images of sauropod dinosaurs with balloons tied around their long necks.
Whilst the colouration of the non-avian Dinosauria remains a hotly debated topic amongst palaeontologists, we are quite confident that skateboarding, playing with balloons and wearing paper hats were not behaviours that dinosaurs indulged in. Perhaps, there is a remarkable fossil somewhere just waiting to be found that will challenge our assertions.
For models and replicas of dinosaurs, prehistoric animal themed toys and games, but no skateboards, take a look at Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with our chums at CollectA announce the fourth and final batch of new CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2023. Two new prehistoric animal figures have been announced, both scale models, one a recently named dinosaur, the second the first replica of an ancient amphibian to be made by CollectA namely:
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Koolasuchus cleelandi – due to be available mid-2023.
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen – due to be available mid-2023.
New CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models
New CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2023. Koolasuchus cleelandi (top), the CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen (bottom). These new CollectA models should be available from Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2023. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
CollectA Deluxe Koolasuchus cleelandi
The Koolasuchus figure is the first prehistoric amphibian model to be made by CollectA. It was the last of its kind, surviving in the fast-flowing rivers of what was to become Australia some fifty million years after its closest relatives had become extinct. In the notes that accompanied the model photographs, reference is made to the Koolasuchus figure having paired tusks and tiny teeth embedded into the roof of its huge mouth, anatomical features found in other temnospondyls and presumed present in this ambush predator.
The CollectA Deluxe (Other Prehistoric Animals) 1:20 scale Koolasuchus cleelandi model, due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2023.
The tail is deep and broad, which would have helped propel this three to five-metre-long carnivore through the water. The tail looks to have a few nicks in it, very appropriate for a replica of a large, mature animal. The mottled green markings on the model would have helped to camouflage this amphibian as it lurked amongst the weeds waiting to catch its next meal. Those formidable, different-sized teeth look most impressive too.
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 Scale Stegouros
The final new for 2023 prehistoric animal figure to be announced is a replica of the bizarre, armoured dinosaur Stegouros (S. elengassen), which was formally, scientifically described in December 2021.
Roaming the southernmost parts of Chile in the Late Cretaceous, Stegouros demonstrates skull features that reflect a close affinity with the Ankylosauria, but the postcranial skeleton shows more primitive stegosaur-like characteristics.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen dinosaur model – due to be available mid-2023.
The unique tail club, reminiscent of an Aztec warrior’s club (macuahuitl) is depicted along with the dermal armour and the skin texture looks amazing. The model has been posed as if it is about to swing its tail. The white flash over the eye reflects the view that facial markings could have been important visual signals to denote maturity and the health of an individual. The figure has a declared scale of 1/6th.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Koolasuchus (Other Prehistoric Animals) – length 21.4 cm, height 4 cm (approximately).
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros (CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Deluxe) – length 30.5 cm, tail height 9.5 cm (approximately).
This exciting pair of Cretaceous prehistoric animal models should be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2023.
This concludes the new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal announcements.
To view Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the first batch of new CollectA prehistoric animals for 2023 to be announced (Ceratosuchops, Hadrosaurus and Triceratops horridus – confronting: New CollectA Models for 2023 (Part 1).
To read our blog post about the second batch of new CollectA prehistoric animal figures for 2023: Ruyangosaurus, Brighstoneus and Anomalocaris: New CollectA Models for 2023 (Part 2).
Everything Dinosaur has won the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. This year, a record number of entries were received by South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and all the finalists had fantastic records in customer service, but our dedication and passion for customer service impressed the judges and we are truly delighted to receive this accolade.
Everything Dinosaur has won the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the annual South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Customer Service Award
Everything Dinosaur has been a Chamber of Commerce member for ten years, it is wonderful to receive recognition, in what are, extremely challenging times for British businesses.
Commenting on the award, Mike, who together with Sue (Tyrannosaurus Sue), founded the dinosaur model and toy mail order company back in 2005, praised the other nominees in the category and thanked KPI Recruiting Ltd who sponsored the award.
Mike and Sue of Everything Dinosaur proudly show their certificate and trophy after winning the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Award-winning Customer Service
Mike added:
“We have been extremely grateful for the support and assistance the Chamber has given us over the years. They have played a vital role in our success, especially when it comes to developing international sales. Thanks to the help we have received and our wonderful customers, here’s one dinosaur company that is far from extinct!”
Sue with the trophy and the certificate from the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The UK-based dinosaur and prehistoric animal model mail order company has customers in over one hundred countries and Everything Dinosaur plans to offer even more prehistoric animal replicas and figures next year.
Everything Dinosaur in conjunction with our friends at CollectA announce the third batch of new CollectA models for 2023. Two new prehistoric animal figures, both marine reptiles, have been announced namely:
CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Mosasaurus with an articulated jaw – due to be available early 2023.
Shastasaurus (Age of Dinosaurs Popular) – due to be available early 2023.
New CollectA Models
New CollectA models for 2023. The 1:40 CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus (top), and the Age of Dinosaurs Popular ichthyosaur replica Shastasaurus (bottom).
CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus 1:40 Scale
A new 1:40 scale figure of a Mosasaurus, a giant, predatory marine reptile from the Cretaceous that was more closely related to modern snakes and lizards than it was to archosaurs such as the Dinosauria. The model incorporates the latest scientific thinking and includes an asymmetrical caudal fin, with a nick in the top portion as if this Late Cretaceous marine reptile has been bitten by another mosasaur. Inside the beautifully painted, articulated jaw, pterygoid teeth have been incorporated into the roof of the mouth.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Mosasaurus will be available from Everything Dinosaur, early next year (2023). This figure is the second Mosasaurus model to be introduced by CollectA, as a not to scale Mosasaurus replica was added to the Age of Dinosaurs Popular range back in 2014.
CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus model.
Articulated Lower Jaw
The new for 2023 marine reptile figure has a smooth, streamlined body, the skin texture has been carefully crafted and the front flippers give the impression of a powerful animal.
The new for 2023 CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus marine reptile model has an articulated jaw.
CollectA plan to introduce another marine reptile model next year (2023). It is a replica of the primitive ichthyosaur Shastasaurus, a large reptile, possibly gigantic that lived more than one hundred million years before the Mosasauridae evolved.
CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Shastasaurus marine reptile model.
Shastasaurus was a big, whale-sized marine reptile from the Triassic. The replica has been given a striking black and white colour scheme reminiscent of the Killer Whale (Orca). These markings would have helped this giant hunter hide from its prey, the colour pattern making Shastasaurus less conspicuous from both above and below. The model has barnacles on its flippers and body, just like the barnacles associated with many large, extant cetaceans that swim in our oceans today. The asymmetrical tail fluke has also got a nick in it towards its apex.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus is due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in early 2023.
CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Mosasaurus with articulated jaw – length 39 cm, height 5.3 cm, width across the front flippers 15 cm (estimate).
CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus – length 25 cm, height of tail fluke 3 cm, width across the front flippers 9 cm (estimate).
This pair of exciting marine reptile figures will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in 2023.
To view Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the first batch of new CollectA prehistoric animals for 2023 to be announced: New CollectA Models (Part 1).
To read our blog post about the second batch of new CollectA prehistoric animal figures for 2023: New CollectA Models (Part 2).
