Product Reviews

23 12, 2011

Schleich Introduce New Dinosaur Models with Moveable Jaws

By Mike|2024-04-22T14:01:05+01:00December 23rd, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Schleich Theropod Models with Moveable Jaws for Late Spring 2012

Schleich the German figure manufacturer will be introducing a range of dinosaur models with articulated, moveable jaws in the late Spring of 2012. The models, all theropods will have an articulated lower jaw so the model can be depicted with the mouth either opened or closed. Five models will have this feature, they are all members of the Theropoda, namely T. rex, Spinosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Velociraptor and Allosaurus. New theropod Schleich dinosaur models.

The Schleich T. rex Model with Articulated Lower Jaw

Open wide please!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

The Schleich Allosaurus with Moveable Jaw

Fearsome Jurassic predator – a replica of Allosaurus from Schleich.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

Schleich Dinosaur Models

The Allosaurus seems to have had a similar paint job as the Brachiosaurus (see link below to our recent sauropod article), the extension to the bony crest that covers the back of the neck is interesting, we don’t recall seeing this in allosaurid skull material. The prominent eye flashes, painted an “eye-catching” red, (no pun intended) are no longer there.

Schleich New sauropods (Sauropoda) article: New Sauropods from Schleich.

Giganotosaurus Model (Colour Variant with Moveable Jaws)

Biggest Land Carnivore known to Science with a “Big Bite”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

The new Schleich Giganotosaurus model will be available in May, it is a re-paint of the existing Schleich Giganotosaurus but with the addition of articulated jaws. The Spinosaurus has been given a similar treatment too. The Spinosaurus model has been re-painted in what team members at Everything Dinosaur have termed “desert fatigues”. This is an interesting choice given that this dinosaur is particularly associated with coastal swamps and freshwater environments.

Schleich Spinosaurus due out in May

Spinosaurus in desert camouflage.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

A genuinely new model introduction for next year is the Velociraptor (V. mongoliensis). Looking very much like the Velociraptors seen in the first Jurassic Park movie, this model also has an articulated lower jaw. Note the resting position of the front forelimb, it is in approximately the correct position anatomically based on the lack of pronation of most theropod “hands”. The limb on the ground also helps to stabilise the figure. As Velociraptors stood on just two toes of each foot making a balanced “raptor” model presents unique challenges.

New Velociraptor Model from Schleich of Germany (May 2012)

Velociraptor mongoliensis replica.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

It looks like Schleich have taken a pointer or two from Bullyland of Germany and Papo of France by introducing articulated models into their product ranges.

To view the range of Schleich models and figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

23 12, 2011

Important Update on Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models

By Mike|2024-04-22T14:01:38+01:00December 23rd, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Great Changes for Schleich Prehistoric Animal Model Range

Everything Dinosaur team members provide customers with an update on new for 2021 Schleich prehistoric animal models. The first image we have of the new colour scheme of the Schleich Giganotosaurus scale model. Schleich’s new artistic team have revamped the Saurus range and introduced a number of new models and colour variants. Sadly the not to scale “Di” range as we call them as been reduced to six – gone is Saichania and Apatosaurus, plus the Mammoths and Sabre-toothed cat models have been retired – more news and images soon.

Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models

The new Schleich Giganotosaurus Colour Variant

Giganotosaurus with a new paint job from Schleich

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

To view the range of Schleich prehistoric animals and dinosaur figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Figures and Dinosaur Models.

5 11, 2011

Sea Monsters – A New Magnetic Prehistoric Adventure

By Mike|2024-04-22T13:18:52+01:00November 5th, 2011|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Create your own Cretaceous Marine Pictures

The Western Interior Seaway, that huge sea that covered most of the central parts of Canada and the United States during the Cretaceous comes back to life with this fun magnetic play set featuring prehistoric animals. Eighty million years ago, US States such as Kansas were at the bottom of a tropical sea that teemed with ancient life. Animals such as the fearsome fish Xiphactinus and Caproberyx were hunted by ichthyosaurs (fish-lizards) and the huge, long-necked elasmosaurid Styxosaurus. These creatures in turn were preyed upon by the apex predators of the time, the mosasaurs, giant reptiles such as the awesome Tylosaurus. Now you can create your own prehistoric food chain with this fun magnetic sea monster play set.

Sea Monsters – A Prehistoric Adventure

Re-create the Western Interior Seaway.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The two-sided magnetic play mat (two different prehistoric backgrounds) and ten prehistoric animal, magnetic stickers permit young palaeontologists to recreate their own marine adventures. It is a wonderful prehistoric animal and marine reptile themed gift.

To view the wide range of prehistoric animal themed gifts and other sea monster items available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Sea Monsters and Prehistoric Animal Models.

20 09, 2011

Happiness is a Healthy Socks Life

By Mike|2023-01-21T09:52:13+00:00September 20th, 2011|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Dinosaur Themed Socks for your Little Monsters

The new dinosaur themed socks and hand puppets have proved a “roaring” success with many comments received about these socks and how well they are made. The new Tyrannosaurus rex socks are just what young palaeontologists have been looking for and there are two new additions to this range, both featuring an adult T. rex and a juvenile – a sort of Mum and Baby T. rex set. With all the new evidence about tyrannosaurid pack behaviour and theories about tyrannosaurs having parental duties towards their offspring, it is always pleasing to see products keeping up with palaeontologists.

Dinosaur Themed Socks

The “Mum and Baby” T. rex Socks

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The socks shown are the “ice blue” T. rex socks but there is also another new pair in the same design except they are coloured a sandy brown. These make great additions to our dinosaur themed clothing range.

Snazzy Dinosaur Socks

In addition, Everything Dinosaur has just introduced some snazzy long dinosaur socks that also can double up as dinosaur sock puppets. There are two fetching designs, firstly a skeleton of a horned dinosaur and in hot pursuit of its next meal comes a eye-catching Tyrannosaurus rex themed sock puppet.

Dinosaur Socks/Hand Puppets from Everything Dinosaur

Turn your socks into a theatre company.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The horned dinosaur themed socks are on the left (blue), the T. rex is on the right. Not sure which ceratopsian is represented, we assumed Triceratops, perhaps the nose horn has been lost somewhere in the toes, anyone for Diceratops in the meantime?

To view the range of socks from Everything Dinosaur and other dinosaur themed toys, gifts and models: Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

Either way, we know that young palaeontologists are going to have happy feet!

19 09, 2011

Prehistoric Sharks Toob – Video Review

By Mike|2023-01-21T09:33:32+00:00September 19th, 2011|Categories: Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Prehistoric Sharks Model Set by Safari Ltd

It is not very common to see a prehistoric shark model swim into view, let alone a set of ten from a mainstream model maker. However, this is exactly what you get with the Prehistoric Sharks Toob from Safari Ltd. Whether it is primitive sharks from the Devonian or Cretaceous giants such as Cretoxyrhina that get your shark fins swishing with excitement this set of ten models is a credit to the manufacturer.

Prehistoric Sharks Toob

Everything Dinosaur’s Review of the Prehistoric Sharks Toob

Everything Dinosaur reviews the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Prehistoric Sharks Toob.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

The video shown above is available on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel.

With palaeontologists able to trace the evolution of sharks back some 420 million years, some might say that a museum quality set of prehistoric shark models was somewhat overdue. This set of ten prehistoric shark models made by Safari Ltd showcases the diversity of forms that these cartilaginous fish evolved into. There may be more than 400 species of shark alive today, but there have been thousands of species of shark that are now extinct . Scientists know that the fossil record of these superb, streamlined creatures stretches back to the Late Silurian and the models made by Safari Ltd highlight some of the bizarre forms that these members of the Elasmobranchii evolved into.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of prehistoric animal models including models from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World series: Wild Safari Prehistoric Animal Models and Replicas.

The ten, well-painted and colourful models represent key genera of shark that lived during the Palaeozoic and the Mesozoic eras. Sharks such as Cladoselache (pronounced Klad-oh-sel-lak-ee) from the Devonian, the Age of Fishes and the fearsome Cretoxyrhina (Cre-tox-ee-rhine-ah) from the Western Interior Seaway of the Late Cretaceous. The model makers have shown great care in making their selection of which extinct sharks to make replicas of. They have included a number of important sharks in terms of their significance to the fossil record and highlight the myriad of forms that these predatory fishes evolved into.

Perhaps our favourite is Stethacanthus (Steth-ack-anth-thus), the “ironing board” shark, so called due to the bizarre shape of this shark’s dorsal fin. It certainly is a great set of Safari Ltd prehistoric sharks.

16 09, 2011

A Review of the Inostrancevia Gorgonopsid Model

By Mike|2023-01-21T09:22:18+00:00September 16th, 2011|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Inostrancevia – Vicious Predator of the Permian

Long before the dinosaurs evolved, other huge prehistoric reptiles roamed the land. It is always a pleasure to see a new and unusual prehistoric animal added to a range of replicas and we were delighted by the introduction of Inostrancevia (gorgonopsid) by Safari Ltd.

In this short video, we review this model and discuss the therapsids and how they show fossil evidence of being ancestral to mammals. We use the Inostrancevia model to highlight these anatomical characteristics.

Everything Dinosaur’s Review of Inostrancevia

Everything Dinosaur reviews the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Inostrancevia model.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Although the gorgonopsids did not survive into the Triassic, we marvel at their adaptations which made them fearsome predators. One of the biggest was Inostrancevia and in the video we comment on the size and function of the huge “sabre-teeth”. These over-sized canines were up to twelve centimetres long in the largest specimens.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of prehistoric animal models including the Wild Safari Dinos Inostrancevia (whilst stocks of this figure are available): Triassic Prehistoric Animal Models (Safari Ltd).

Although the Palaeozoic lasted much longer than the Mesozoic in terms of geological time, creatures that lived during this era tend to be under represented in the model ranges of manufacturers. The gorgonopsids were a fascinating group of reptiles, we think they were the first vertebrates to develop sabre-like fangs, an evolutionary adaptation for tackling over vertebrates that has bene repeated on many occasions over the evolution of back-boned animals.

15 09, 2011

A Review of the Kaprosuchus Prehistoric Crocodile Model

By Mike|2023-01-21T08:25:17+00:00September 15th, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

“Boar Croc” Reviewed – in Praise of the Safari Ltd Wild Safari Dinos Model

The welcome introduction of a Kaprosuchus prehistoric crocodile model into the Wild Safari Dinos model range provides collectors and dinosaur fans with the chance to own a replica of a terrestrial crocodile. Kaprosuchus, a fearsome predator of the Niger during the Cretaceous. It allows us at Everything Dinosaur the opportunity to compare and contrast the land-based croc. Kaprosuchus with the aquatic crocodyliform Deinosuchus, which is also available as a model from Safari Ltd (September 2011).

Kaprosuchus Prehistoric Crocodile Model

In our video review, we discuss the fossil evidence which suggests that Kaprosuchus was a terrestrial carnivore – the stereoscopic vision, the robust, impact resistant snout and the strong neck are all characteristics of a predator that fed on land. We pay tribute to the Wild Safari Dinos Kaprosuchus, it is a prehistoric crocodilian that has proved to be very popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors.

The Everything Dinosaur Review of Kaprosuchus

Everything Dinosaur reviews the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Kaprosuchus model.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that it was wonderful to see model manufacturers such as Safari Ltd increasing the number of crocodilians and other non-dinosaur archosaurs within their replica ranges.

To view Safari Ltd models and replicas available from Everything Dinosaur: Ancient Crocodiles and Other Prehistoric Animal Figures (Safari Ltd).

2 09, 2011

A Review of the Bullyland Dimetrodon Model

By Mike|2023-03-08T09:20:24+00:00September 2nd, 2011|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Museum Line Dimetrodon Model Reviewed

One of the new additions to the Museum Line scale model range of prehistoric animals has been reviewed by team members at Everything Dinosaur. It is always a pleasure to see a new model added to the range of prehistoric animals offered by the German manufacturer Bullyland, especially since Dimetrodon (D. grandis) is one of our favourite Permian animals. Here is our video review of the Bullyland Dimetrodon model.

Everything Dinosaur’s Review of Dimetrodon

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dimetrodon was not a dinosaur, but a member of the Pelycosauria and as such it has been classified as a synapsid reptile. Why Dimetrodon is often featured in a model range that focused on dinosaurs always puzzles us. Perhaps manufacturers just like to add a cool sail-backed reptile to their model series.

Bullyland Dimetrodon Model

To view the extensive range of Bullyland prehistoric animal figures stocked by Everything Dinosaur: Bullyland Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Whatever the reason, team members welcome the addition of a Dimetrodon figure to the Bullyland range of prehistoric animal models.

We did once write an article on this phenomenon – Dimetrodon being added to models of dinosaurs etc. To read this article: Why Does Dimetrodon Get Added to Dinosaur Model Ranges?

15 06, 2011

A Review of Safari’s Wild Dino Edmontosaurus Model

By Mike|2023-01-19T11:40:28+00:00June 15th, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

The Lizard from Edmonton

Perhaps somewhat overshadowed by the introduction of an excellent replica of Kaprosuchus, the crocodile that thought it was a lion, Safari have also introduced a model of an Edmontosaurus into the Wild Dinos model range. Team members at Everything Dinosaur review the Wild Dinos Edmontosaurus model.

Named and described by the famous Canadian palaeontologist Lawrence Lambe nearly one hundred years ago, it is a pleasure to see a model of one of the very last duck-billed dinosaurs to evolve to be included once again in a mainstream model range. After all, this animal was one of the largest hadrosaurs known, reaching lengths in excess of perhaps forty feet.

The New Model of Edmontosaurus

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Wild Dinos Edmontosaurus Model

The model is up to Safari’s usual high standards. It measures seventeen centimetres long and has been painted a sandy brown colour with lighter tan stripes running along the flanks. Ironically, the colouration of this particular duck-billed dinosaur has been quite toned down compared to the Carnegie Corythosaurus with its bright green colouration and blue spots that came out a few years ago. The individual hooves on the feet are well picked out and the face of Edmontosaurus has been painted very well. The model is not to scale but it works well in association with the Procon/CollectA T. rex and Ankylosaurus, both of which were contemporaries of this last of the hadrosaurs.

The new Kaprosuchus model from Safari may have taken a lot of plaudits, but the Wild Safari Dinos Edmontosaurus dinosaur model must not be underestimated, it makes a welcome addition to the Wild Dinos range.

To view the Safari Dinosaur model range: Hadrosaur Models from the Wild Dinos Model Range.

3 04, 2011

Watching a Beautiful Blue Triceratops

By Mike|2024-04-21T10:01:40+01:00April 3rd, 2011|Categories: Animal News Stories, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Triceratops – Wild Watchers

Recently introduced into the Everything Dinosaur, extensive range of prehistoric animal soft toys are four new soft toys, each one representing a different dinosaur. We think, that as they look so cute, that they resemble young animals (prior to distal growth), the big eyes and large heads giving these soft toys the appearance of baby dinosaurs. There is an Oviraptor (with glow in the dark eyes), a Diplodocus, a very cute Tyrannosaurus rex (if such a thing is possible) and a bright blue baby Triceratops. These are super, and very colourful dinosaur soft toys.

Dinosaur Soft Toys

Yes, bright blue and why not indeed. Nobody knows for sure what colour horned dinosaurs were so why not blue. There are a number of reptile genera which are coloured blue, many birds and reptiles are brightly coloured. Scientists are fairly confident that like birds and crocodiles the Dinosauria had colour vision and colour would have played an important role in their lives, if their extant relatives are anything to go by.

Wild Watchers Triceratops Soft Toy

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

This new dinosaur soft to is part of a range called “Wild Watchers”, to view the range of prehistoric animal plush and dinosaur soft toys currently in stock on our award-winning website: Dinosaur Soft Toys.

It is also important to remember that the dinosaur clade first evolved in a world that was dominated by greens and browns, there were no bright, colourful flowering plants (Angiosperms), these did not evolve for around 100 million years after the first dinosaurs appeared. So being colourful against a backdrop of mainly greens and browns may have been useful when displaying to attract a mate for example.

Blue Dinosaurs

Beasts of the Mesozoic Torosaurus latus dinosaur model.

A view of the Beasts of the Mesozoic Torosaurus articulated dinosaur model out of its packaging. This is a blue horned dinosaur figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a Torosaurus replica from the Beasts of the Mesozoic family of articulated dinosaur models. To view this range of colourful dinosaur figures: Beasts of the Mesozoic Articulated Dinosaur Models.

In comparison to reptiles and Aves (birds) our own Order (Mammalia) are surprisingly colour shy – we of course have some remarkably colourful mammals, for example the Okapi and let us not forget the stark contrast of a herd of zebras but the team members at Everything Dinosaur could not think of a single type of mammal that was coloured predominantly green.

Indeed, the colour blue itself is very rare in the mammalian colour scheme, some primates, monkeys and such like have blue faces (and other parts) but we could not think of many more. Even Belgium blue cattle and the Blue Whale are not coloured exactly blue, not least from the pictures we could find that depicted these animals.