Everything Dinosaur Blog - Dinosaur Models

15 09, 2025

A Clever “Trust us to Deliver” Animation

By Mike|2025-09-16T07:21:51+01:00September 15th, 2025|Categories: Dinosaur Fans|0 Comments

Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a short animation that he had created. The animation focuses on our “Trust us to Deliver” slogan. We had designed an image of a dinosaur figure driving a delivery vehicle for our website. It emphasises our reliability when it comes to sending parcels to customers all over the world. William turned our illustration into a short animation. The animation features dinosaurs and they are wearing T-shirts with the Everything Dinosaur logo on them.

Thank you, William, for your wonderful animation.

Video credit: William

Trust Us to Deliver

Our congratulations William, we really appreciate what you have done for Everything Dinosaur. We were most impressed with your animation skills. It is important for customers to have confidence that we can arrange delivery of their order swiftly and efficiently. We have an excellent reputation for our customer service and our ability to pack and despatch parcels, hence ensuring a rapid delivery is often commented upon.

Trust Everything Dinosaur to deliver. Team members have been busy creating a new icon for the website to emphasis our fine record of shipping dinosaur and prehistoric animal merchandise overseas. This illustration was the inspiration behind William’s clever animation Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mike from Everything Dinosaur praised William for his clever animation and stated:

“The animation made us smile. Sue and I really appreciate the hard work that William put in to create this. We greatly appreciate his efforts and thank William for making this extremely clever animation.”

Our award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

14 09, 2025

The Legacy of Mark Norell and His Dinosaur Discoveries

By Mike|2025-09-15T22:00:28+01:00September 14th, 2025|Categories: Famous Figures|0 Comments

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of palaeontologist Mark Norell last week. Mark was research associate and chairman of palaeontology at the American Museum of Natural History. His contribution to the science of palaeontology was immense, he will be dearly missed. We contacted the American Museum of Natural History in New York and enquired about an obituary. Kendra Snyder (Assistant Director of Science Communication), explained that they had worked closely with The New York Times, and an obituary had been published this weekend.

Mark had been suffering from ill health for some time. He continued to pursue a number of projects, for example he was the scientific advisor to PNSO. The palaeontological community is in mourning. He was a visionary scientist with a gift for communication. His research forever changed our perception of the Dinosauria. Norell’s impact was most noticeable in the study of feathered theropod dinosaurs. His work inspired countless students and researchers around the world.

Palaeontologist Mark Norell July 26th 1957 to September 9th 2025

Palaeontologist Mark Norell who sadly passed away last week. We first came across the work of this remarkable palaeontologist when we were sent a copy of the book “Unearthing the Dragon”. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Palaeontologist Mark Norell

He was at the forefront of research into feathered dinosaurs in the 1990s. He worked closely with several notable Chinese palaeontologists helping to document the remarkable fossils unearthed in Liaoning Province. Through meticulous study of oviraptorids, troodontids, and other theropods, he provided compelling evidence that feathers, nests, and brooding behaviours evolved deep within Dinosauria.

Mark Norell’s passing leaves a void, but his legacy endures in every fossil exhibit, in every student he inspired, and in every new discovery shaped by his work. He showed us that dinosaurs were far more dynamic, complex, and bird-like than once imagined. His contributions will continue to resonate for generations.

He wrote or co-authored numerous books. For example, we were sent a copy of “Unearthing the Dragon”, a book documenting Mark’s adventures exploring the amazing fossils of Liaoning Province. The book, co-written with Mick Ellison provided a personal account of his work in China.

“Unearthing the Dragon”

“Unearthing the Dragon” was one of the first books about dinosaurs that we were sent. We were not surprised when Mark became the scientific advisor to PNSO. He leaves behind an amazing body of work, Sue and I would like to express our condolences to Mark’s family, his work colleagues and to those many fortunate people who regarded him as a friend.

13 09, 2025

Spotting Early Plants at the Beautiful Cambridge University Botanic Gardens

By Mike|2025-09-14T10:36:33+01:00September 13th, 2025|Categories: Photos|0 Comments

A visit to the beautiful Cambridge University Botanic Gardens permitted Everything Dinosaur team members to photograph examples of early plants. Visitors can pick up a free booklet at the entrance that provides details of a prehistoric plant trail. It introduces a selection of plants that explains the evolution of the Kingdom Plantae. It starts with freshwater green algae and tours the University’s collection highlighting key points in plant evolution using selected specimens.

Several of the plants on the trail can be found in the greenhouses. For example, the picture below shows examples of plants similar to some of the very first plants to colonise the land. Snakeskin liverwort is growing alongside a spiky hair moss (we think). Liverworts are spore-producing, rather than seed-producing, and they are all without flowers. Like mosses and hornworts, they are bryophytes. Liverworts come in two growth forms, with both thallose species (undifferentiated body) and leafy species. The latter having leaves on stems, just like mosses. Hence the confusion below as to whether the spiky stems in the picture are a moss or a liverwort.

Examples of plants similar to some of the very early plants to colonise land can still be found today. The photograph shows the scale-like Snakeskin liverwort (Conocephalum conicum) growing together with a spiky Hair moss (Polytrichum commune) – we think. However, the spiky plant could be an example of a leafy liverwort. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Taking Photographs of Examples of Early Plants

The trail explores the evolution of plants. Unlike animals that can be difficult to photograph, the plants were most obliging. Not having a subject moving around makes taking a photograph far easier. The Botanic Gardens were wonderful. It is a great place to visit if you are in Cambridge, making a change from the hustle and bustle of the universities and the town centre. It has links with Darwin too. The current gardens were inspired by John Stevens Henslow. He was Professor of Botany at Cambridge from 1825 to 1861. His ideas about variation helped shape the views of his famous protégé Charles Darwin.

Examples of early plants (Liverwort and Ferns).

Plants have a long and complex evolutionary history, originating in freshwater pools and streams around 470 million years ago. Many of the early land plants were restricted to damp locations such as the edge of pools. The photograph shows a colony of liverwort growing over a moss-covered rock. Two types of fern can also be seen in the photograph. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The second photograph shows a thallus liverwort growing across a rock. Another example of a bryophyte can be seen in the photograph. It is the moss that is also growing on the rock. Liverworts, hornworts and mosses prefer to grow in damp shady places. Two examples of ferns, another type of ancient plant are in the image too. Ferns are thought to have originated around 36o million years ago.

Commenting on the visit to Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, Mike from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“The Gardens are beautiful. There is so much to see, and a special visitor trail has been set up permitting visitors to learn more about the long evolutionary history of plants. Furthermore, the trail supports the University’s first year Natural Sciences lecture series in plant evolution.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Toys.

12 09, 2025

Powerful FAQ Updates to Save Time and Help Customers

By Mike|2025-09-14T22:22:37+01:00September 12th, 2025|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|0 Comments

Keeping information clear and up to date is vital for any successful business. We have just updated Everything Dinosaur FAQ’s. It is important to ensure customers have fast access to the answers they need. Regular updates save time, improve service, and show Sue and I care.

Updating the Everything Dinosaur FAQ’s. We put customers first by offering clear guidance and friendly support at every step. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur FAQ’s – Providing Helpful Information

On-line shoppers want rapid answers. Enquiries about inventory, questions about delivery and shipping and asking about restocking. In addition, we get asked lots of questions about dinosaur models. By updating our FAQ’s, we give visitors confidence. Customers can trust the information provided. This makes it easier to buy dinosaur models and prehistoric animal figures on-line.

FAQ’s is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. Having an effective set of these questions also makes the company more efficient. Instead of answering the same questions repeatedly, we can focus on helping customers with unique enquiries. Clear, updated FAQ pages reduce email traffic. That means orders are processed smoothly and customer service is rapid.

Regular updates to Everything Dinosaur FAQ’s highlight our commitment to customer care. We want customers to feel supported. Posting answers on the website and our Google Business Profile ensures information is available all the time. They are available 24-hours a day. It proves we listen, respond, and try to help.

We demonstrate our commitment to excellent customer service by responding quickly and keeping information accurate and up to date.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur explained:

“Simple but powerful, FAQ updates create real benefits. They save time, improve efficiency, and give customers confidence. At Everything Dinosaur FAQ’s, every update demonstrates our dedication to service. Customers know we are ready to help, whether they are searching for the latest dinosaur figure or seeking information about shipping.”

The award-winning and recently updated Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

11 09, 2025

Megarachne – Once Thought to be the Biggest Spider

By Mike|2025-09-13T21:21:26+01:00September 11th, 2025|Categories: Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

The Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge has an exhibit that tells the remarkable story of the eurypterid Megarachne servinei. It was once thought to be a giant spider. However, it has been assigned to the Mycteroptidae family within the Euryptreida Order. In a recent blog post we looked at the eurypterid display at the Museum. In particular we commented upon the enormous Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, which is regarded as being one of the largest invertebrates known to science.

To view our earlier post about the giant Jaekelopterus rhenaniae and the eurypterid exhibit: A Colourful Eurypterid Size Chart.

The Megarachne servinei illustration process.

In the exhibit highlighting giant invertebrates, a series of posters provide visitors with information how the palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls worked with the researchers to create an interpretation of the fossil material. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Megarachne servinei

The genus name translates as “giant spider”. If the original scientific assessment had proved to be correct, then M. servinei would be the biggest spider known to science.

Part of this display explains how renowned palaeo-reconstruction artist Bob Nicholls worked with researchers to produce an accurate life reconstruction of this ancient South American invertebrate.

The life reconstruction of Megarachne servinei on display at the Sedgwick Museum (Cambridge). This illustration was created by talented palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Palaeoart brings long-extinct creatures back to life. The Megarachne servinei is a fine example. By combining science with illustration, it helps people visualise how these animals looked and lived. As a result, complex fossil evidence, which is often fragmentary becomes easier to understand.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

10 09, 2025

Taking a Dinosaur to a World-class University Campus

By Mike|2025-09-11T07:26:40+01:00September 10th, 2025|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|0 Comments

At Everything Dinosaur, we try our best to support the wider community. For example, we were invited to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to participate on a panel in support of the University’s bid to maintain their EQUIS accreditation. EQUIS accreditation is a prestigious international quality benchmarking system for business schools. It is a highly prized accolade for the business faculty at any university. Having worked with students and participated in training courses, we wanted to provide our support in this accreditation process. In addition, we believe in giving back to the wider community and helping students and teaching staff where we can. Naturally, I brought a dinosaur model into the University. It was the CollectA Furcatoceratops dinosaur model.

Taking a CollectA Furcatoceratops dinosaur model into a University.

Taking a CollectA Furcatoceratops dinosaur model into Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The CollectA Furcatoceratops Dinosaur Model Goes to University

When explaining to other panel members about what we do it helps to provide tangible evidence of the quality of prehistoric animal figures. Furthermore, it is a great ice breaker. It seems that most people are interested in dinosaurs and want to learn more. EQUIS is a comprehensive quality review system for business schools and management institutions. Its rigorous peer-review process signals the overall quality of the institution. The assessment process is challenging. Mike outlined the involvement the University had in the development of the Everything Dinosaur Evolution brand.

To view this range of scientifically accurate dinosaur models: Everything Dinosaur Evolution Models.

The CollectA model helped to demonstrate the quality of figures that are available to model collectors.

One of the benefits of a taking a dinosaur to the University is that we get to meet and talk with so many talented and passionate academics and business leaders. We get to talk about dinosaurs too.

Manchester Metropolitan University will be informed of the decision in December (2025). We wish all those involved with the project success.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It was an honour to be able to visit the University and to help in their submission to EQUIS. It would be wonderful if Manchester Metropolitan University could once again be awarded this prestigious accolade.”

The customer friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Figures.

9 09, 2025

The Beautiful Artwork of C. M. Kösemen

By Mike|2025-09-10T08:32:36+01:00September 9th, 2025|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings|0 Comments

Sue and I have happy memories of the inaugural DinoCon. The event took place last month at Exeter University. It was the UK’s first dinosaur convention, and we met lots of extremely talented people. For example, this event was attended by C. M. Kösemen, a researcher and artist. He is also an author, perhaps most famous for the remarkable book “All Yesterdays”. First published in 2012, it was a collaboration with artist John Conway and palaeontologist Darren Naish. It challenges perceptions about how dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals behaved. It contains lots of stunning illustrations.

His artwork is unique, it encompasses surrealist images, speculative evolution and palaeoart. In addition, he takes inspiration from the history and culture of his native Turkey. As DinoCon drew to a close, Sue and I were presented with a signed illustration. We are honoured to have received such a gift.

C. M. Kösemen presents artwork to Everything Dinosaur.

The personally signed artwork presented to Everything Dinosaur by C. M. Kösemen. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The C. M. Kösemen Artwork

This artwork that was signed by the artist features two flying creatures. The top image is that of Yi qi, the scansoriopterygid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of China. The image below is that of the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica). Sue and I really appreciate this kind gesture, a personally signed copy of some brilliant artwork. A stunning reconstruction of a bizarre theropod and a magpie to provide scale. Not all dinosaurs were giants and Yi qi demonstrates the enormous diversity of the Theropoda. C. M. Kösemen too, is known for producing a diverse range of illustrations – everything from dinosaurs to surreal artwork and images of speculative evolution.

For further information about this innovative artist, read his Wikipedia article: C. M. Kösemen on Wikipedia.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“DinoCon was a huge success. It was amazing to meet so many talented people. The artwork and illustrations on display were simply stunning. Sue and I were delighted to receive such a special and thoughtful gift.”

To read more about this year’s DinoCon event: DinoCon a Fantastic Success!

8 09, 2025

A Colourful Eurypterid Size Chart on Display Next to Rare Fossils

By Mike|2025-09-13T18:07:13+01:00September 8th, 2025|Categories: Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur recently visited the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. During their trip, they spotted a colourful eurypterid size chart on display. It immediately caught their attention.

A largest eurypterid size chart on display at the Sedgwick Museum (Cambridge). The Devonian freshwater eurypterid Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is the largest discovered to date and perhaps the biggest invertebrate of all time. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Eurypterid Size Chart

The size chart shows seven different eurypterids. The smallest is Megarachne servinei which is known from the Late Carboniferous of Argentina. When it was described, it was thought to be a spider. As such, it would have been the largest spider known to science. However, several eurypterids were much bigger. For example, the largest eurypterid in the diagram, indeed possibly the largest invertebrate of all time is Jaekelopterus rhenaniae.

CollectA Deluxe Jaekelopterus model in dorsal view.

The stunning 1:20 scale CollectA Deluxe Jaekelopterus rhenaniae model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows the CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Jaekelopterus rhenaniae figure. It is a spectacular model.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe figures in stock: CollectA Deluxe Scale Models.

“Sea Scorpions”

Eurypterids, also known as sea scorpions, are fascinating creatures. Scientists have described around 250 different species. They were active predators. Using their chelicerae, they hunted invertebrates and even primitive fish.

At first, all eurypterids lived in the sea. They were entirely marine. However, things began to change over time. By the Late Devonian and Carboniferous, freshwater species had evolved.

The story of their discovery is also remarkable. In 1818, the very first eurypterid fossil came to light in New York State. At the time, it was thought that this fossil represented an early fish.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The Sedgwick Museum offers a fantastic experience. Its collection includes extremely important fossil discoveries. In addition, visitors find it far less crowded than the London Natural History Museum.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

7 09, 2025

A Mottled Grasshopper – Part of an Ancient Insect Order with a Remarkable Adaptation

By Mike|2025-09-07T21:35:28+01:00September 7th, 2025|Categories: Animal News Stories|0 Comments

Today, I spotted a Mottled grasshopper. Its scientific name is Myrmeleotettix maculatus. This insect is found throughout England from April through to October. Its patches of brown and grey provide excellent camouflage in its grassland habitat. Remarkably, these insects have the ability to breakdown plant materials in their guts without producing greenhouse gases. Research is currently being undertaken into whether this ability could lead to the development of new types of biofuel.

Myrmeleotettix maculatus (Mottled grasshopper).

A rare but very welcome late summer visitor. A Mottled grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Mottled Grasshopper

Grasshopper, crickets and their relatives belong to the insect order Orthoptera. The ancestors of modern members of this diverse and widespread order are thought to have originated in the Carboniferous.

The Mottled grasshopper thrives in dry, open habitats. It is widespread in England and, like many insects the warm spring and hot summer have helped numbers increase. Its markings help to camouflage it amongst dry grass. If it does get spotted by a predator the Mottled grasshopper has a powerful jump.

Grasshoppers and other types of insect such as termites are being carefully studied as they have remarkable digestive systems. They can break down tough cellulose and lignin in their guts without producing greenhouse gases. This area of scientific enquiry could lead to alternative biofuel sources to replace fossil fuels.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It was a rare but welcome visitor. Insects such as grasshoppers are more often heard than seen. However, we were delighted to spot this Mottled grasshopper. Its ancestors might have evolved long before grass and other angiosperms, but its ability to digest tough plants might help us to devise new biofuels. It might be small, but insects could have a big role to play in the future of our species.”

So, next time you see a Mottled grasshopper, take a moment to marvel at the amazing natural world that we often overlook.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models.

6 09, 2025

The Remarkable Armour of Spicomellus

By Mike|2025-09-04T07:32:07+01:00September 6th, 2025|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings|0 Comments

Last month, we posted an article about a new scientific paper providing more information on the remarkable early ankylosaur Spicomellus afer. Researchers, including scientists from the University of Birmingham and the London Natural History Museum had published a paper describing more fossil material. In collaboration with colleagues from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, (Fez, Morocco), the new study provided fresh insights into the extreme armour of this plant-eating dinosaur. As a result of this new research, a Spicomellus life reconstruction was created by artist Matthew Dempsey.

An anterior view of Spicomellus was included in our August blog post. However, the media release we received included two other Spicomellus images. One image showed the dinosaur in lateral view, the other was a dorsal view. These images permit viewers to get a better idea of the proposed arrangement of the dermal armour.

Spicomellus afer life reconstruction (shown in lateral view).

A Spicomellus afer life reconstruction (lateral view). Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey.

Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey

To read Everything Dinosaur’s 2021 blog post about the discovery of Spicomellus afer: The World’s Oldest Ankylosaur and Africa’s First.

Everything Dinosaur’s recent article (August 2025) on the newly published scientific paper: Extreme Armour in the World’s Oldest Ankylosaur.

A Remarkable Spicomellus Life Reconstruction (S. afer)

The life reconstruction is a testament to the collaboration between a palaeoartist and scientists. After carefully studying the fossils the research team works closely with an illustrator to create a life-like appearance of the animal. Some elements remain speculative. For example, fused caudal vertebrae forming a “handle” indicate a tail club weapon. The appearance of the spikes making up the club are an interpretation by the artist creating the Spicomellus life reconstruction.

Spicomellus afer life reconstruction (dorsal view).

A dorsal view of the remarkable dermal armour associated with the bizarre early ankylosaur Spicomellus afer. Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey.

Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We congratulate the whole team for their work on this early ankylosaur. The Spicomellus artwork help to bring the fossils to life. In addition, they reinforce the view that Africa’s first ankylosaur was an extremely strange creature. Its discovery challenges assumptions about the evolution of the Thyreophora.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Birmingham in the compilation of this article.

In addition, Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the London Natural History Museum for the use of their images.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.