Everything Dinosaur Blog - Dinosaur Models

27 01, 2015

A New Predatory Archosaur from the Middle Triassic of Southern Tanzania

By Mike|2023-03-23T07:57:41+00:00January 27th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Nundasuchus songeaensis: New Triassic Archosaur Discovered in Tanzania

In the aftermath of the End Permian extinction event those terrestrial vertebrates that had managed to cling on found themselves with a host of newly opened up ecological niches to exploit. Many vertebrates rapidly diversified and new lineages evolved to fill those gaps in the ecosystem vacated by genera and families that had died out.

The Archosauria

The archosaurs were typical and a myriad of new forms of these reptiles evolved as the Early Triassic gave way to the Middle Triassic. Scientists led by researchers at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia, United States) have published a paper on a newly described genus of large, predatory archosaur that may have been one of the apex predators around some 245 million years ago. Say hello to Nundasuchus songeaensis, a fearsome, ancient ancestor of today’s crocodiles and birds.

The Recovered Fossil Material Superimposed on a Reconstruction of the Reptile

Scale bar = 0.5 metres.

Picture credit: Sterling Nesbitt

Discovered in 2007

The fossil material was discovered in 2007, during a field expedition to explore the fossiliferous Manda Beds exposed in southern and south-western Tanzania. Sterling Nesbitt, was at the time a graduate student, he is now an Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences at Virginia Tech. The highly fragmentary fossils had been eroding out of a small hillock and although most parts of the skeleton are represented (excluding cranial material), it has taken more than a 1,000 painstaking hours to restore and study the fossilised remains.

A Photograph of Some of the Fossils Collected by the Team

About 10% of the entire skeleton is represented by the fossil material.

Picture credit: Robert Smith

New Triassic Archosaur

The animal was clearly a predator and it would have been about the size of fully grown female American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), although unlike today’s modern crocodiles, the limb bones were held underneath the body and they did not spread out in a sprawling posture as seen in extent crocodilians. Nundasuchus (pronounced Noon-dah-suk-kus), would have been capable of more efficient locomotion, it probably hunted the ancestors of those other very well-known archosaurs – the Dinosauria.

The researchers are unsure as to where this new genus sits in the Archosauriform family tree. The skeleton shows anatomical traits found in the branch of the archosaurs that led to the dinosaurs and birds, but it had bony armour (osteoderms) on its back like a crocodile.

For models and replicas of extinct archosaurs including dinosaurs: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Bridging a Gap

Commenting on the significance of this discovery, Assistant Professor Nesbitt stated:

“There’s such a huge gap in our understanding around the time when the the common ancestor of birds and crocodilians was alive, there isn’t a lot out there in the fossil record from that part of the reptile family tree. This helps us fill in some gaps in the reptile family tree, but we’re still studying it and figuring out the implications.”

The name is derived from local Swahili “Nunda” for predator and the Greek for crocodile “Suchus”, the genus name therefore translates as “predator crocodile”. The trivial name comes from the town of Songea, as this settlement is close to where the fossils were found.

Despite the fragmentary nature of the fossil material, Nundasuchus songeaensis represents one of the more complete early Middle Triassic (Anisian faunal stage), archosaurs from southern Pangea and is part of a previously unrecognised early and diverse Archosauriform assemblage.

Sterling Nesbitt, who formerly held a post at Texas University, has been involved in a number of studies into the evolutionary development of African Triassic fauna. Back in 2010, Everything Dinosaur reported on another research project in Tanzania involving Assistant Professor Nesbitt. Fossils found indicated that the Dinosauria may have evolved earlier than previously thought.

To read this article: Pushing Back the Evolution of the First Dinosaurs by Ten Million Years.

26 01, 2015

Class 2 Learn about Amazing Global Dinosaurs

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:44:21+01:00January 26th, 2015|Categories: Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Class 2 Learn about Amazing Global Dinosaurs

Key Stage One Children Learn All About Life in the Past

Children in Class 2 have been learning all about dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and life in the past. Dinosaur fossils have even been found in Antarctica, a fact that the children in Miss Butterfield’s class now know as they made world maps and plotted where certain types of dinosaur lived. Stegosaurus fossils have been found in the western United States, whilst the speedy Velociraptor lived in Russia, China and Mongolia. Triceratops fossils are known from the United States of America and Canada. As well has helping the children to learn about the continents and the countries of the world, the dinosaur term topic has been used to help the children explore the properties of different materials.

Learning About Dinosaurs

The classroom was filled with lots of wonderful models, posters and sculptures featuring dinosaurs. The Year two children had been challenged to think carefully about the right media and what art materials should be used as they created and designed prehistoric animal figures and replicas.

Some Very Colourful Artwork on Display – Models Made by the Children

Lots of colourful prehistoric animals on display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Velociraptor Replica

The children had even made a “life-size” replica of the fearsome, meat-eating dinosaur Velociraptor (V. mongoliensis) and our fossil expert who visited the school to conduct a dinosaur themed workshop, was informed that Velociraptor was actually quite a small dinosaur about one metre tall and around two metres in length. The children stated that the dinosaur was actually a lot smaller than the Velociraptors depicted in the movie franchise “Jurassic Park”.

A Velociraptor Sculpture in the Classroom

A Velociraptor sculpture on display in a classroom.

On guard in the classroom. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur stocks a huge range of dinosaur themed toys and gifts including lots and lots of Velociraptor dinosaur models and replicas of other similar dinosaurs known as dromaeosaurids.

To view the range of prehistoric animal models (including Velociraptor), available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

26 01, 2015

Class Two Study Dinosaurs and Rare Fossils

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:47:16+01:00January 26th, 2015|Categories: Educational Activities, Teaching|0 Comments

Learning All About Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals with Class Two

Children in Class Two study dinosaurs with the help of Everything Dinosaur.

A very busy morning with the Year 2 class at St Malachy’s R.C. Primary who have been studying dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. The children had been learning all about when the dinosaurs lived, where they lived and how they became extinct. Miss Butterfield and Mrs Parker had been teaching the children all about continents and countries and a most impressive map had been created which showed where in the world some dinosaurs lived.

Class Two Study Dinosaurs

Mapping the Dinosaurs

Where did dinosaurs live? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Can you spot a spelling mistake? We wonder if any of the children have spotted the mistake, we think this is the teacher’s very clever way of encouraging the children to be observant.

Making Dinosaur Posters

As part of the ICT element of the curriculum for the spring term, the children had been making some dinosaur posters and learning how to copy and paste material from the internet. Some lovely examples of posters were on display on the classroom wall and outside in the corridor. They certainly brightened up the corridor. Our dinosaur expert set the class some challenges, one of which was to come up with some science posters based on the information provided. In addition, the children demonstrated their use of adjectives and we had some wonderful examples, especially when it came to describing the fossil teeth.

To cater for the design/technology (DT) and art elements of the curriculum, teacher Miss Butterfield, aided by Mrs Parker (teaching assistant) had been helping the children to design and create different prehistoric animal models, including a super sculpture of a fearsome Velociraptor.

A Wonderful Sculpture of a Velociraptor

On guard in the classroom. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Thinking Carefully About Materials

The children had to think carefully about which materials to choose and they had been challenged to use different media to create their prehistoric animal pictures. We saw some lovely examples of artwork including a dinosaur called “Spike-0-saurus”, a very spiky dinosaur, hence his name.

Making Dinosaur Models and Artwork Using Different Resources

Lots of colourful prehistoric animals on display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

So many different types of dinosaur model had been made that some had even been put on display outside in the corridor. It made our dinosaur expert feel very happy as he passed lots of models of stegosaurs on his way to the classroom. The children compared parts of their bodies to the bodies of dinosaurs, some of the bones and casts that the children saw helped them to appreciate just how big some dinosaurs were. It looks like Class 2 are having fun learning all about palaeontologists and life in the past.

To view the huge range of dinosaur themed toys and gifts available from Everything Dinosaur: Toy Dinosaurs and Gifts.

25 01, 2015

Quick Video Preview of New 2015 Papo Models

By Mike|2023-03-23T07:42:47+00:00January 25th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos|0 Comments

Papo Young Apatosaurus and the Papo Tupuxuara Models – Papo Prehistoric Animal Models

Everything Dinosaur team members have created a short video that highlights new for 2015, Papo prehistoric animal models.

Here is a quick video that showcases two of the new for 2015 prehistoric animal models from Papo. The video features the Young Apatosaurus replica, (dimensions confirmed as being 37 cm long, 13 cm high) and the excellent pterosaur figure – a Tupuxuara. In this short, (43 second video), we also compare these two models to the enormous Papo Brachiosaurus dinosaur model that was introduced in the autumn of 2012. The Tupuxuara pterosaur may be small but it is beautifully painted and the crest detail is superb.

Everything Dinosaur’s Video Preview of the Young Apatosaurus and the Tupuxuara Models (Papo)

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Papo models: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Papo Brachiosaurus measures a whopping 40 cm in length, the head is some 32 cm high. We used this model to provide a scale to compare the two new additions to the Papo range. The Young Apatosaurus, in our view, represents a sub-adult, think of this replica as representing a teenage dinosaur.

Both the Papo Tupuxuara and the Papo Young Apatosaurus models are expected to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early March, although they could arrive a little earlier. Check out this web log and Everything Dinosaur’s social media pages for updates.

The Papo Tupuxuara Pterosaur Model

Watch out, a pterosaur is coming this way. New additions to the range of Papo prehistoric animal models.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Papo Prehistoric Animal Models

The range of Papo prehistoric animal models has increased substantially in recent years. The Papo “Les Dinosaures” series features, dinosaurs, marine reptiles, pterosaurs and prehistoric mammals.

Hide and seek in the back yard. Papo prehistoric animal models are great for creative, imaginative play.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

24 01, 2015

Casting Doubts on Global Firestorms

By Mike|2023-03-23T07:41:16+00:00January 24th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Geology, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Extraterrestrial Impact May Not Have Caused Global Firestorms

The debate over the consequences of the extraterrestrial impact that took place around sixty-six million years ago continues with the publication of pioneering new research that investigates whether or not the Yucatan impact caused extensive firestorms on a global scale. It is now widely believed that at least one huge object from outer space crashed into Earth which very probably contributed to the mass extinction event that marks the end of the Cretaceous. This is perhaps the most famous of all the mass extinction events recorded in the Phanerozoic fossil record, as no significant quantities of dinosaur fossils are found in younger strata.

Mass Extinction Event

The end Cretaceous mass extinction event saw the demise of the Dinosauria, the pterosaurs, most of the marine reptiles and a number of other significant casualties. It had been thought that a consequence of the impact was a series of huge fires that ravaged the Earth, destroying much of the plant-life on the planet. Plenty of evidence for this catastrophic event has been cited, for example, large amounts of carbon preserved in strata at the K-T boundary, believed to be the preserved remains of such conflagrations.

In 2013, for example Everything Dinosaur published an article on this blog citing research which suggested that intense heat in the atmosphere did indeed cause huge fires: Cretaceous Mass Extinction Study Provides Evidence of Global Firestorm.

A “Fern Spike”

Scientists have also recorded evidence of a “fern spike” that occurred immediately after the extinction event. Large numbers of fossilised fern spores have been recorded (microfossils), in contrast to a very low level of other plant remains such as pollen from flowering plants being recorded. Ferns are quick to re-colonise an area after a devastating volcanic eruption. The “fern spike” data was taken as supporting evidence for the massive destruction of much of the planet’s green matter.

To read more about the “fern spike” research: Humble Ferns – Evidence to Support the Impact Theory.

Did the Extraterrestrial Impact Cause Global Firestorms?

Cataclysmic impact event, but was there a global firestorm?

Picture credit: Don Davis commissioned by NASA

Global Firestorms

However, a team of UK based researchers (University of Exeter, Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh), have challenged the idea of world-wide fires. The scientists recreated the massive energy released from the impact event and they found that the blistering heat near the impact site was too short-lived to ignite living plants. The scientists conducted a series of experiments using pulses of heat and writing in the Journal of the Geological Society, the team conclude that close to the actual impact, the heat wave would have lasted less than a minute, too short a time to set fire to living plants.

However, using computer models they discovered that the effects of the blast would have been felt as far away as New Zealand, some 12,000 kilometres from the site of the explosion. The further away from the blast centre, the less intent the heat wave, but it would have been longer lasting. In New Zealand, the heat blast would have lasted for around seven minutes, long enough to ignite living plant material.

Living Plants Not Ignited

Experiments conducted suggest that dry and dead plant matter could be set alight, but live plants such as conifer needles were not ignited.

Having a Blast with Heat Wave Experiments

Global firestorm study.

Picture credit: University of Exeter

The picture above shows the fire propagation apparatus recreating the impact induced thermal pulse at the Cretaceous/Palaeogene (K-T boundary). Halogen lamps are delivering the intense, thermal radiation.

Commenting on the study, Dr Claire Belcher (Earth System Science group in Geography at the University of Exeter) stated:

“By combining computer simulations of the impact with methods from engineering we have been able to recreate the enormous heat of the impact in the laboratory. This has shown us that the heat was more likely to severely affect ecosystems a long distance away, such that forests in New Zealand would have had more chance of suffering major wildfires than forests in North America that were close to the impact. This flips our understanding of the effects of the impact on its head and means that palaeontologists may need to look for new clues from fossils found a long way from the impact to better understand the mass extinction event.”

The Impact on Flora and Fauna

Fauna and flora populations are generally resistant to localised fire events, animals can hide or hibernate/enter aestivation and the seeds of plants can survive the intense heat of forest fires. Some plants even rely on seasonal fires to help them spread. Based on these assumptions, it can be suggested that wildfires on their own are unlikely to be directly responsible for extinctions. However, large dinosaurs which were unable to run very far, or shelter may have suffered terribly from such fires.

Dr Rory Hadden from the University of Edinburgh added:

“This is a truly exciting piece of inter-disciplinary research. By working together engineers and geoscientists have tackled a complex, long-standing problem in a novel way. This has allowed a step forward in the debate surrounding the end Cretaceous impact and will help geoscientists interpret the fossil record and evaluate potential future impacts. In addition, the methods we developed in the laboratory for this research have driven new developments in our current understanding of how materials behave in fires particularly at the wildland-urban-interface, meaning that we have been able to answer questions relating to both ancient mass extinctions at the same time as developing understanding of the impact of wildfires in urban areas today.”

Everything Dinosaur would like to thank Exeter University for the use of a press release that enabled this article to be compiled.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

23 01, 2015

Video Preview of the Schleich Kentrosaurus and Anhanguera Models

By Mike|2023-03-23T07:35:13+00:00January 23rd, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos|0 Comments

New from Schleich for 2015 (Video Preview) – Schleich Anhanguera and the Schleich Kentrosaurus

We have created a short video preview of the Schleich Anhanguera and the Schleich Kentrosaurus models.

As team members from Everything Dinosaur eagerly await the arrival of the first batch of new prehistoric animal products from Schleich, we took time out to shoot a quick video preview of the new Anhanguera and Kentrosaurus models. These two replicas, part of the World of History model range will be part of the first set of new replicas to be released by Schleich this year. We are expecting to have stocks by February, possibly even earlier. Both models are beautifully painted and the pterosaur has an articulated lower jaw.

Short Video Preview of New Schleich Models (2015)

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Anhanguera and Kentrosaurus

Team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to shoot some footage of the new prehistoric animal models whilst at a recent trade show. The short video provides collectors and model fans with a preview of the latest Schleich World of History model introductions.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s current range of World of History prehistoric animal models: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Significant Company Investment

Schleich have invested heavily in the development of their dinosaur model range. The company sees these new additions as part of a three-cornered strategy to continue to grow the Schleich brand in 2015, Schleich refer to this strategy as the 3-Ds (one of the Ds stands for dinosaurs). Just for the record, the other two Ds stand for dragons (big increase in fantasy dragon figures in 2015) and for D.C. Comics (Schleich will be marketing a set of figures inspired by characters created by the comic strip company (Justice League). Two further dinosaur models, a Giganotosaurus and a Spinosaurus will be added to the World of History model range in July.

To read a blog post about the Schleich Giganotosaurus and the Schleich Spinosaurus figures: Schleich Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus Previewed.

The blog post link (above) also provides access to a short video we created highlighting these two, new theropod figures.

22 01, 2015

Preparing for the New Nasutoceratops Models

By Mike|2024-05-04T21:50:19+01:00January 22nd, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Scale Drawing of Nasutoceratops

With both CollectA and Safari Ltd producing replicas of the basal centrosaurine dinosaur known as Nasutoceratops (N. titusi) in 2015, team members at Everything Dinosaur have been busy preparing a fact sheet all about this horned dinosaur. The discovery of the fossils of this large, herbivorous dinosaur has thrown the world of centrosaurine phylogeny into confusion. The large brow horns, bigger in both absolute and relative terms than the brow horns of any other known centrosaurine dinosaur along with a number of other anatomical traits seen in Nasutoceratops, has led many palaeontologists to question the division of the Ceratopsidae into two distinct clades. Is the sub-division of the Ceraptosidae into Chasmosaurinae and Centrosaurinae clades too simplistic?

To view Everything Dinosaur’s blog post from 2013 about the discovery of Nasutoceratops: “Large Nose, Horn Face” – Nasutoceratops.

The debate is likely to continue and it will be further complicated by new fossil discoveries from North America. Perhaps, a revision similar to the changes seen in the Theropoda with the virtual abandonment of terms such as carnosaur which was originally applied to meat-eating dinosaurs of a certain size. However, this point has been set aside as we focus on creating a fact sheet for these new dinosaur models. Every named prehistoric animal model that Everything Dinosaur supplies is sent out with its own fact sheet. As part of our research, we commission a scale drawing so that our customers can see the approximate size of the animal represented by the fossil material.

The Scale Drawing of Nasutoceratops

A scale drawing of the Late Campanian horned dinosaur called Nasutoceratops.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks/Everything Dinosaur

Safari Ltd have created a large range of dinosaur and prehistoric animal figures. To view this range of models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figures.

Preparing for Nasutoceratops

We are looking forward to the arrival of the two models of Nasutoceratops, we wonder which one will prove to be the most popular amongst dinosaur fans and model collectors?

To view the range of CollectA horned dinosaurs available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric Life/Prehistoric World Models.

21 01, 2015

Quick Preview Video – Schleich Spinosaurus and Giganotosaurus

By Mike|2023-03-23T07:29:39+00:00January 21st, 2015|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos|0 Comments

World of History Schleich Spinosaurus and Giganotosaurus (new for 2015)

Here is a quick preview of the new World of History dinosaur models that are coming out from Schleich in July 2015. Joining the World of History series will be a Giganotosaurus dinosaur and a Spinosaurus. We are looking forward to stocking these new, meat-eating dinosaur models, both of which have articulated jaws.

Quick Video Preview of the Schleich World of History Spinosaurus and Giganotosaurus

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Spinosaurus and Giganotosaurus Dinosaur Models

Whilst visiting a trade show, Everything Dinosaur team members were able to take some footage of the new Schleich theropod figures. The video features the new Schleich Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus, models which are due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur later this year.

To view our current range of Schleich World of History prehistoric animal models: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Figures.

20 01, 2015

CollectA Guidraco a Beautiful Pterosaur Picture

By Mike|2024-05-04T18:58:59+01:00January 20th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Colourful Guidraco (Pterosaur)

Everything Dinosaur praises the recently introduced CollectA Deluxe/Supreme Guidraco model.

The “Supreme Deluxe” Guidraco pterosaur model (1:4 scale model of a flying reptile), has certainly caused a stir around Everything Dinosaur’s offices. The Atlantic Puffin inspired colours are certainly very eye-catching on this new CollectA replica. I see CollectA themselves are equally inspired by this feisty pterosaur, as it features on the front cover of the company’s 2015 brochure.

CollectA Guidraco Pterosaur

A Pair of Guidraco Pterosaurs

A colourful pair of Guidraco pterosaurs. This picture can be found on the front cover of the new for 2015 CollectA product brochure.

Picture credit: CollectA/Everything Dinosaur

This feisty flying reptile was officially named and described in 2012. The binomial name is Guidraco venator, the name is a combination of Chinese and Latin, it translates as “malicious ghost dragon hunter”. With that rosette of pointy teeth this was very probably an agile predator that swooped down to snatch fish and other soft bodied creatures from the water. A flock of these reptiles feeding would have been an awesome sight.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of CollectA scale models: CollectA Deluxe/Supreme Prehistoric Animal Models.

19 01, 2015

Schleich World of History Prehistoric Animals (2015)

By Mike|2023-03-22T08:49:21+00:00January 19th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Schleich World of History Models (2015)

Everything Dinosaur comments on a change of strategy for the Schleich World of History models.

This year sees a change in strategy for the German based model and figure manufacturer. Across their range, the company is introducing a number of play sets and accessories helping to encourage imaginative, creative play. Everything Dinosaur team members have been fortunate to have had the chance to see the new items to be included in the 2015 “World of History” prehistoric animal range. A number of prehistoric animal species are included as part of a new cave “dino set”.

Schleich Models

The Carnotaurus and Schleich Quetzalcoatlus figures that come with this dinosaur themed play set might be familiar to model collectors, but in addition, the set features a colourful Archaeopteryx, a baby pterosaur (young Quetzalcoatlus) and an agile Microraptor. The dinosaur set with cave measures 25 cm x 16 cm x 31 cm and includes model plants, eggs and one or two handy hiding places should a hungry theropod go by.

Schleich World of History Range Extended

A new strategy which involves the provision of play sets and accessories.

Picture credit: Schleich

Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures

To view Everything Dinosaur’s World of History model range: Schleich World of History Models.

Things were still being finalised by Schleich when Everything Dinosaur was sent the images, if you look at the bottom left segment of the picture, plants that fit together are illustrated, there are no palisade walls to be seen.

The play set includes a replica of the theropod Carnotaurus, to read more about the new Carnotaurus model being added to the Schleich World of History model range: Schleich Carnotaurus Model Reviewed.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We see Schleich extending its range of products to include accessories and play sets in 2015, although it is also pleasing to see a number of new prehistoric animal figures being introduced too.”

Looks like 2015 is going to be an exciting year for model collectors and dinosaur fans alike.