All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
10 11, 2008

Teaching about Dinosaurs and Fossils in School

By |2022-12-09T13:36:36+00:00November 10th, 2008|Educational Activities, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Teaching|0 Comments

Dinosaur Workshops in School

Schools may be preparing for the culmination of the Autumn term ending in the Christmas festivities but team members at Everything Dinosaur are busy keeping up their appearances in schools to undertake dinosaur themed workshops and to help children learn all about dinosaurs and fossils.

As a term topic, something like “dinosaurs” or ” the Jurassic forest” lend themselves to a vast array of extension activities.  These activities encompass numeracy, literacy, creative writing, ICT as well as art and dance.  One of our dinosaur experts visiting a school to conduct a dinosaur workshop was treated to a dance by primary school children that helped explain the extinction of the Dinosauria.  On display in the classroom were lots of artwork as well as examples of prehistoric animal themed stories written by the children.

Primary School Children Participate in a Dinosaur Workshop in School

Everything Dinosaur's visit to a school.

Everything Dinosaur’s visit to a school. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The children were keen to show off their fossil casts of specimens from the Everything Dinosaur collection and they also were keen to ask our dinosaur expert lots of questions and to demonstrate their subject knowledge acquired through independent learning.

To learn more about the educational, dinosaur themed toys and games provided by Everything Dinosaur visit the company’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

The children had constructed a number of bar charts and pie diagrams as they classified dinosaurs in different ways.  This ties in very effectively to Key Stage 1 teaching objectives that involve how to express data and how to demonstrate the plotting and recording of figures.

9 11, 2008

Changing Views on Sauropods

By |2022-12-09T13:34:34+00:00November 9th, 2008|Educational Activities, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|2 Comments

Changing Views on Sauropods – Long-necked Dinosaurs

The huge, long-necked sauropods such as Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus are extremely well known in popular culture but although many museums exhibit specimens of these enormous creatures, our level of scientific knowledge particularly the phylogeny of these creatures remains relatively poor.  Thanks to recent discoveries of some seemingly transitional forms from prosauropods to the true sauropods, dinosaurs such as Lessemsaurus from Argentina and Chinshakiangosaurus from China for example, our understanding of the evolution of these animals is more complete.

The sauropods were a truly remarkable group of dinosaurs, with some of the oldest sauropod fossils dating from the beginning of the Jurassic and with the last titanosaurs surviving in the Americas and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere right up to the end of the Cretaceous, approximately 66 million years ago.  Although these animals had their hey day in the Jurassic, no other type of herbivore has dominated terrestrial ecosystems quite like the sauropods.  With their massive bulk, animals like Apatosaurus for instance could weigh in excess of 30 tonnes; they decimated the vegetation within an environment before moving on in vast herds to find fresh feeding areas.

Sauropods represent a truly unique group of animals, there is nothing alive today to compare with them and their size, power and myriad of forms are truly amazing.  Most sauropods are classified into two distinct types, the Macronaria (big nostrils), nasal openings in skulls are bigger than the orbit (eye).  Sauropods typical of the Macronaria group are animals such as Brachiosaurus and Camarasaurus.

To see a scale model of Brachiosaurus and other sauropod figures: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

The other main type of sauropod are the Diplodocoidea, animals such as Diplodocus and Seismosaurus.  Some very bizarre forms of sauropod are known.  For example, scientists know that a number of later sauropods (titanosaurs) were armoured, but also many of the lesser known sauropods also possessed body armour, scutes and even clubs on the ends of the tail.

Shunosaurus from the mid Jurassic of China had a club on the end of its tail.  When the first fossils of this dinosaur were found in 1979, the tail was thought to have become damaged and the bones had not healed properly and had become infected, producing this abnormal growth in the single specimen discovered.  Several fully articulated fossil Shunosaurus are now known and all possess this club-like feature on the end of their tails.  Scientists were able to conclude that the swollen tail of this dinosaur was not the result of an injury or disease (pathology), but this dinosaur possessed the equivalent of a medieval mace on the end of its tail.

An Illustration of Shunosaurus

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view a model of Shunosaurus and other figures in the Safari Ltd model collection: Wild Safari Prehistoric World.

This particular sauropod is estimated to have reached lengths in excess of 9 metres and it was one of the most common type of long-necked dinosaur found in what was a vast, Jurassic floodplain now being excavated at the Dashanpu quarry site.

8 11, 2008

Dinosaur Dance Floor – Not Strictly Come Dancing

By |2023-02-26T08:04:52+00:00November 8th, 2008|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

Palaeontologists cast Doubt on “Dinosaur Dance Floor” Discovery in Western USA

The validity of a site believed to show trackways and foot prints from at least four different types of dinosaur has been challenged by a group of scientists on an inspection of the remote location on the Arizona/Utah border.  The group of palaeontologists visited the site that covers approximately 3/4 acre nicknamed the “dinosaur dance floor” due to the amount of footprints preserved in the sandstone sediments.  They have concluded that there are no dinosaur tracks, only a dense collection of unusual potholes that have occurred as the sandstone erodes away.

Dinosaur Dance Floor

To read more about this discovery: Dinosaur “Dance Floor” on the Utah/Arizona State Border.

The scientist who led the original research on the site in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument has commented that she is willing to team up with the sceptics in order to undertake a follow-up study.

“Science is an evolving process where we seek the truth,” says Marjorie Chan, professor and chair of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah and co-author of a recent study that described the site as being evidence of “dinoturbation” – the term used by scientists to describe ground churned up by the activity of dinosaurs.  In the original paper, the site was thought to represent an oasis where large numbers of prehistoric animals gathered , several different types of dinosaur footprints were described, along with several strange marks in the ground that were interpreted as evidence of tail drags.

“We went through the proper scientific process of careful study, comparisons with other published works and peer review” of the study by independent scientists, professor Chan added. “We gave the project considerable critical thought and came up with a different interpretation than the palaeontologists, but we are open to dialogue and look forward to collaborating to resolve the controversy.”

A few days after the research paper was published four scientists hiked to the site to investigate this phenomenon for themselves and to see first-hand the possible dinosaur footprints.  The quartet comprised Brent Breithaupt, director and curator of the University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum; U.S. Bureau of Land Management palaeontologist Alan Titus and geologist Rody Cox; accompanied by palaeontologist Andrew Milner of the St. George (Utah) Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.  The group noted a number of possible dinosaur trackways en route, but were not completely convinced by what they saw at the site, stating that little evidence could be found of dinosaur activity in the “pock-marked” sandstone.

Not Dinosaur Tracks

“There simply are no tracks or real track-like features at this site,” Breithaupt commented. “We will be investigating the formation of these features in the upcoming study. Science works best when scientists work together.”

Chan and Winston Seiler, who conducted the research as part of his master’s thesis, say they are not retracting their study, which was published in the October issue of the scientific journal “Palaios”.  But they acknowledge there are strong arguments for the features being potholes rather than dinosaur tracks.  The original study cited the possibility that the features were potholes and outlined arguments against it.  There own research did investigate a number of causes for the strange markings but did eventually conclude that these features were indeed trace fossils.

Pictures show part of the alleged dinosaur track way located at Coyote Buttes North, along the Arizona/Utah border.  University of Utah geologist Winston Seiler walks amongst the hundreds of strange marks in the ground, could they be evidence of dinosaur trackways?

Chan says if the features are potholes, they are extremely unusual compared with typical potholes on the Colorado Plateau, their formation still needs to be explained fully.  She is looking forward to working with the other scientists to ensure this location is studied in more detail.

“A reinterpretation could emerge, but those conclusions have not yet been written as a scientific paper and need to be submitted to a journal for publication after peer review by other scientists,” she says.

Nevertheless, the University of Utah geologists feel obligated to inform the public of the difference of opinion because of the fact that information regarding this site had been published in a leading palaeontological journal and that the thesis had received wider publicity.

“The public interest has been tremendous, and fortunately there are many other fantastic, accessible, documented dinosaur track sites than can be visited in the area,” Breithaupt stated.

For Winston Seiler, it would be disappointing to have the site down graded from being a potential location that shows dinosaur activity to one that merely represents unusual forms of rock erosion, but that is how science works.  Theories are put up and then they are scrutinised and tested.

Science is ultimately a search for truth and palaeontology can be contentious and lead to a degree of controversy.  If Seiler’s work is reassessed then he will be in good company as many a famous palaeontologist has had his own work undermined to some extent.  Perfectly sensible and appropriate theories can be discarded as new evidence is unearthed or other scientists provide additional insight.

Article reproduced from University of Utah article published on November 8th.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur Website.

7 11, 2008

Cloned Mice from Frozen Bodies – Are Mammoths Next?

By |2022-12-09T13:29:05+00:00November 7th, 2008|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

Clones from Frozen Mice – Potential to Resurrect the Mammoth

A team of Japanese scientists have succeeded in cloning mice whose bodies had been frozen for as long as sixteen years.  It may be possible to further refine the techniques to clone the mice and develop ways of ensuring the survival of endangered animals today as well as possibly being able to bring extinct animals such as Woolly Mammoths back.

In a paper published in the scientific journal “the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”, the Japanese scientists proved that animals could be cloned even though their cells had burst and showed other signs of damage.

The Japanese researchers led by Sayaka Wakayama of the Centre for Developmental Biology, Kobe made mice clones with a technique called nuclear transfer.  This involves using the nuclei of egg cells, cells of animals that had been stored at -20 degrees Celsius and from animals first frozen in 1992.  The egg cell nuclei is replaced with the nucleus of an ordinary cell from the animal due to be cloned.  When done with the right chemical or electric trigger, the egg division process can be started as if it had been fertilised by sperm. Normally, cells that have been frozen tend to be damaged as the water in the cells expands rupturing membranes during the freezing/thawing process.  Cells that are going to be used for cloning purposes are treated with special chemicals and additives called cryopreservation agents to help overcome any problems associated with the freezing process.

The team stated in their paper:

“Thus, nuclear transfer techniques could be used to ‘resurrect’ animals or maintain valuable genomic stocks from tissues frozen for prolonged periods without any cryopreservation”.

They added: “Cloning animals by nuclear transfer provides an opportunity to preserve endangered mammalian species”.

This raises the possibility of being able to use material from Siberian mammoths that perished thousands of years ago, but have been preserved in the frozen permafrost.  Genetic material could be gathered and then a Woolly Mammoth clone produced.

Anticipating this line of enquiry, the Japanese researchers stated that:

“However, it has been suggested that the ‘resurrection’ of frozen extinct species (such as the Woolly Mammoth) is impracticable, as no live cells are available, and the genomic material that remains is inevitably degraded.”.

Producing clones from mice that had been kept frozen for many years is a remarkable achievement.  The cells and the precious DNA that they contain would have been damaged and no cryoprotectants were applied to the mice before they were frozen.   Ironically, the team tried to clone the mice using a variety of cells, but they discovered that in this experiment it was the brain cells that worked best.  This is a bit of a mystery, as no one has yet cloned any living mouse from a brain cell.

Many animals have been cloned, starting with Dolly the sheep, cloned by British scientists in the 1990s (1996).  Other cloned animals include pigs, cattle, mice and dogs. Livestock breeders want to use cloning to start elite herds of desirable animals, and doctors want to use cloning technology in human medicine, for example to produce organs from pigs that are suitable for use in human transplants.

There were a number of Mammoth type species.  The Woolly Mammoth (M. primigenius) existed during the Pleistocene age (1.75 million years to approximately 10,000 years ago).  They were about 3.7 metres long, 3 metres high at the shoulder and would have weighed around 3 tonnes (males bigger than females).  Woolly Mammoths had sloping backs, dense fur, high single-domed heads, small ears (to cut down on heat loss), large, curved tusks and a short, stumpy tail.

An Illustration of a Woolly Mammoth

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Remains of mammoths are frequently found in Siberia, often in the spring during the winter thaw.  A baby mammoth was found preserved this way in July 2007.

To read an article about this discovery: Frozen Baby Mammoth Found.

This baby mammoth was nicknamed Lyuba (after the wife of the reindeer herder who discovered the carcase).  Further work is required before it can be demonstrated that nuclei can be collected from the cells of these ancient animals and made viable for generating offspring following a nuclear transfer process.

Commenting on the research carried out by the Japanese team, George E. Siedel Jr. of the Colorado State University in Fort Collins stated: “it’s not the first time that dead animals have been resurrected.  Previously, they were stored much colder than these temperatures and they were generally treated in a special way [cryoprotectants]“.

A number of scientists have undertaken research into the potential cloning of mammoths, although there are no live cells available and the genetic material within the frozen and then thawed out cells is likely to be severely degraded.

Yet the creation of live animals from material taken from a mouse frozen for more than a decade and a half suggests that scientists may be able to use nuclear transfer techniques to clone extinct species or maintain stocks of genetic information without special preservation methods, the study concluded.

Reproduction of a Woolly Mammoth from remains frozen in ice isn’t expected to happen within the next decade, as the cells are likely to die once they are thawed out and there are no live eggs.  However, some transfer cloning using another species as a “surrogate mother” may be possible with the Indian elephant being the most likely candidate.

Woolly Mammoths remain popular with prehistoric animal collectors and school children.  Team members at Everything Dinosaur have recently helped in a project to introduce the theme of extinction events and climate change within the UK national teaching curriculum.  The decline and extinction of the Mammoth was a central concept in the teaching plans.  If the cloing programme proves ultimately successful we may have to re-write our teaching materials.

To view soft and cuddly Woolly Mammoth and other Ice Age animal soft toys: Prehistoric Animal Soft Toys.

6 11, 2008

Jurassic Park Author Dies – Death of Michael Crichton Announced

By |2023-02-26T08:08:16+00:00November 6th, 2008|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Famous Figures, Main Page|0 Comments

Michael Crichton (23.10.1942 – 04.11.2008)

Michael Crichton, the best-selling author behind a number of science fiction novels and thrillers, and the long-running television series ER, has passed away.  In a statement released by the Crichton family, Michael passed away after a “courageous and private battle against cancer”.

Michael Crichton

Although he trained as a doctor, Michael’s writing to help fund his medical school fees soon took over his life and he went on to write a number of highly acclaimed novels, many of which such as Westworld, the Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park went on to be made into very successful films.

He wrote the novel Jurassic Park, a story about dinosaurs being brought back to life using genetic engineering and created the screenplay for the film.  Jurassic Park is one of the most successful films of all time, grossing something like $900 million dollars, spawning two sequels (rumours of a fourth film) and it was awarded three Oscars.  Jurassic Park was directed by Steven Spielberg and showcased the new generation of CGI techniques that enabled long extinct animals to be brought to life.  The film relied on the advice of top palaeontologists to assist with the lifelike creations of dinosaurs such as Brachiosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

Larger than Life Velociraptors

Controversially, the film depicted larger than life Velociraptors with a strong social hierarchy and venomous dilophosaurs.  It is very difficult to find fossil evidence to substantiate these traits depicted in the film but they are a testament to Michael’s imagination and the film’s ability to blend science with a creative interpretation of scientific evidence.

“Jurassic Park”

“Michael’s talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park,” the film director Steven Spielberg said yesterday.  “He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth… Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels.  There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place.”

Whilst discussing the novel Jurassic Park with colleagues at Everything Dinosaur, I recall the excitement I felt when reading the part in the book when the scientists discover that something is wrong.  A count of the dinosaurs on the island is enacted expecting to find 300 animals and when more are recorded, the team get their first inkling that something must be going out of control.

Crichton’s books combined the latest scientific theories with fast-paced narratives, and his background of training to be a doctor meant that he was able to make unbelievable plots seem credible and realistic. By the time of his death, his books had sold more than 150 million copies worldwide.

A Long-running Hospital Drama

Michael Crichton used his medical knowledge and experiences to help create the long running hospital drama ER.  This television series has been very successful and the programme has been sold around the world.  Crichton won an Emmy for ER in 1996.

The author campaigned passionately about the threat of global warming, being sceptical about the scientific evidence behind the concept of climate change.  He wrote a book called State of Fear, which echoed some of his own concerns – a scientist discovers that there is a conspiracy behind the concept of climate change.

During a speech he gave in Washington in 2005, the author said: “In my view, our approach to global warming exemplifies everything that is wrong with our approach to the environment.  We are basing our decisions on speculation, not evidence.”

Entertained and Enthralled a Generation

Michael Crichton’s books entertained and enthralled a generation.  His imaginative writing combined with credible scientific plots made him famous and helped bring important scientific issues to the attention of a huge audience.

In a statement released by Michael’s family, his contribution is summed up succinctly.

Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand” – Crichton family statement.

5 11, 2008

The Horseshoe Crab

By |2022-12-09T13:23:20+00:00November 5th, 2008|Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

The Ancient Horseshoe Crab

A member of the phylum known as the Arthropoda, Horseshoe crabs have not changed over millions of years.  The first fossils of these tough, marine creatures have been dated to around 450 million years ago (Katian faunal stage of the Upper Ordovician).  Superficially they resemble crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters but in fact they are more closely related to arachnids (spiders, mites and scorpions).   Horseshoe crabs are therefore not closely related to crabs, despite their common name.  Indeed, these animals are classified into the subphylum called Chelicerata (the term means claws and horns and relates to the structure of the mouth parts).

Horseshoe Crab

A Model of an Extant Horseshoe Crab (CollectA Prehistoric Life Model Range)

CollectA Horseshoe Crab model.

CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Size Horseshoe Crab.

A beautifully preserved Horseshoe crab fossil from south-western China (Luoping Formation).  Fossils in photographs probably date from the Early Triassic and are perhaps more than 240 million years old.

There are four known species of Horseshoe crab, three can be found in south-east Asian waters whilst the fourth species can be found in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic coast of the United States.  All four species are believed to be endangered due to over fishing, loss of suitable breeding beaches and pollution.

To view the CollectA Prehistoric Life model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models and Figures.

4 11, 2008

Mega Model of Tyrannosaurus rex Fossil Skeleton

By |2022-12-09T13:21:09+00:00November 4th, 2008|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page|0 Comments

Create your own Realistic Model of a Tyrannosaurus rex Museum Exhibit

T. rex may be the most famous dinosaur of all, but nearly complete skeletons of this dinosaur are extremely rare.  Only about 30 Tyrannosaurus rex fossil sites are known and from these only a handful have produced anything like complete fossil skeletons of this “Tyrant Lizard”.  Now thanks to an innovative model making kit you can own your very own Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

Model Museum Display of Tyrannosaurus rex

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Tyrannosaurus rex

To view further details about the dinosaur toys, models and prehistoric animal themed gifts available from Everything Dinosaur, visit the UK-based company’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

Build a giant, realistic model of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.  Just like the ones seen in museums, with authentic bones and natural fossil textures.   Fossil specimen is 40 cm long and the kit comes complete with easy to follow instructions, a replica Tyrannosaurus rex claw and a prehistoric landscape poster.  No glue is required and the kit is suitable for children aged 3+.  When tested with our focus group, everyone thought that the model was very realistic and loved the fact that it was packed into a metal case, just “like a scientist’s specimen case” as commented by one of our young palaeontologists.

The model is coloured to look like fossilised bone and it does make an excellent addition to a young dinosaur fan’s collection.  Fortunately, it is a lot cheaper than having to acquire the real thing, for example, the famous fossil skeleton of Sue (Tyrannosaurus rex) was auctioned by Sotheby’s for $8.36 million in 1997.

The model is quite accurate, but it is worth point out that the arms and the claws are a little over-sized when compared to the real thing.  It seems, just like Barnum Brown, when he thought that the arm bones found with T. rex fossils belonged to another smaller meat-eater, we still can’t get over how small the arms of Tyrannosaurus rex were compared to the rest of this creature.

3 11, 2008

Gastonia – Heavily Armoured Dinosaur

By |2022-12-09T13:19:13+00:00November 3rd, 2008|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|1 Comment

Gastonia burgei – Related to Polacanthus

Discovered in the same quarry as fossils of the fearsome theropod Utahraptor (Grand County, Utah), the heavily armoured Gastonia is believed to be a close relative of the English polacanthid called Polacanthus (P. foxii and P. rudgwickensis).  More fossil material has been ascribed to the Gastonia genus from this one location, believed to represent a substantial bone bed than from any other member of the polacanthid clade.  Unfortunately, such is the wealth of isolated and fragmentary dermal armour found at the fossil dig site, that palaeontologists remain uncertain as to the layout and orientation of this dinosaur’s defensive armour.  This makes reconstructions of this plant-eating dinosaur very difficult.  Measuring up to five metres in length, this dinosaur is reputed to be the most heavily armoured of all the dinosaurs known to science.  It had a sacral shield of thick armour over the hips and pairs of spines that ran down the body from the neck and shoulders.  These probably stuck out sideways and upwards to afford this creature maximum protection.  The tail was long and narrow and it probably had sharp spikes sticking out of the side which would have have made the tail a formidable defensive weapon.  Examination of the hip bones and femur indicate that the tail could be swung in a horizontal arc with considerable force, easily enough force to knock an attacking Utahraptor off its feet.

An Illustration of Gastonia (G. burgei)

A drawing of the heavily armoured Gastonia.

A drawing of the heavily armoured Gastonia.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Gastonia

Named in 1998, after Robert Gaston, this dinosaur with its heavy body and spiky armour would have been a formidable opponent for any hungry theropod brave enough to attack.

Everything Dinosaur stocks a range of armoured dinosaur models and replicas: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

2 11, 2008

Biological Terms Associated with Phyla

By |2022-12-09T13:17:57+00:00November 2nd, 2008|Animal News Stories, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Defining Pelagic and Nektonic Terms in Biology

A number of terms are used by biologists and palaeontologists to provide an overview of the habit or mode of life of organisms.  Most of the terms relate to marine or freshwater environments due to the number of different habitats and modes of life that exist in the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers.  One term that is frequently seen in academic papers related to zoology or botany is the term “pelagic”.  Pelagic (pronounced pel-laj-jick) refers to animals and plants that live above the sea floor.  This term is further divided up into nektonic, (pronounced neck-ton-nick) referring only to animals that live above the sea floor or planktonic (animals and plants).  Nektonic animals are creatures that actively swim such as herring, squid and sharks.  The collective noun is nekton (pronounced neck-ton).

Biological Terms

Planktonic organisms (animals and plants) swim feebly or drift passively in water currents.  Most organisms are confined to the sunlight surface waters.  The collective noun is plankton).  The term includes phytoplankton (fie-toe-plank-ton), organisms that use the process of photosynthesis, using sunlight energy to create sugars, mostly algae and zooplankton which consists mostly of microscopic animals including the larvae of larger nektonic animals, but also so macroscopic animals that are readily visible to the naked eye, animals such as those from the Order Cnidaria such as jellyfish.

An Overview of Some Important Terms in Biology

Defining biological terms.

Defining biological terms.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

1 11, 2008

Hydrotherosaurus “Water Beast Lizard”

By |2023-02-25T17:08:40+00:00November 1st, 2008|Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page|0 Comments

Hydrotherosaurus – a Long-necked Elasmosaur from the Late Cretaceous

We get a lot of requests for plesiosaur information and queries regarding whether there are any models available of these marine reptiles.  Plesiosaurs are certainly very popular, these long-necked and agile swimmers seem to have captured the imagination of model collectors and enthusiasts for prehistoric animals.  It is always a pleasure when a new model of these strange, enigmatic creatures is introduced.   A model of a plesiosaur called Hydrotherosaurus (the name means “water beast lizard”) has just been included in our already extensive model range.

Hydrotherosaurus

An Illustration of Hydrotherosaurus (CollectA Dinosaurs)

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The man in the picture provides an approximate scale for this particular plesiosaur.  Hydrotherosaurus is estimated to have been approximately 13 metres long and would have weighed an estimated 2 tonnes.

To view the model of Hydrotherosaurus (CollectA Hydrotherosaurus model) and other models of marine reptiles including ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs and marine crocodiles: Models of Prehistoric Marine Reptiles and Dinosaurs.

One Fossil Skeleton

Hydrotherosaurus is known from just one well-preserved and almost complete fossil skeleton found in Fresno County, California.  Importantly, much of the skull material was found with this specimen and scientists were able to learn about the general shape and structure of elasmosaur skulls from this one discovery.  Hydrotherosaurus was formerly named and described by the American palaeontologist Samuel P. Welles in 1943.  The species name for this particular marine reptile is Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae it is in honour of Annie Montague Alexander, a keen fossil collector and patron of a number of scientific bodies in the United States.  She helped found the University of California Museum of Palaeontology and she was so influential within American scientific circles that she had a number of species of animals named in her honour, including another type of extinct marine reptile, an ichthyosaur.

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