Four New Additions from Schleich for 2014

Schleich the Germany model manufacturer are going to produce four new prehistoric animal models next year.  Dimensions for these models have yet to be finalised, but we think two of them Pentaceratops and Therizinosaurus, will be added to the company’s World of History model range.  The other two models, a Velociraptor and a Tyrannosaurus rex are likely to be added to the Schleich’s smaller sized “dinosaurs” range, or as Schleich calls them “die kleinen Dinos”.

Schleich Dinosaur Models

The Schleich Pentaceratops Dinosaur Model

A colourful, horned dinosaur replica.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Pentaceratops

A relative of Triceratops, this model of Pentaceratops looks most impressive.  The red and black markings are particularly striking.  We will be looking to see whether the front feet have five toes and the back legs only four, a test of a model’s anatomical accuracy when it comes to members of the ceratopsians.  Named by Osborn back in 1923 from fossil material discovered in New Mexico, this is a model of a spectacular dinosaur.  The name Pentaceratops means “five horned face”, although this dinosaur only had three horns not five.  The reasons for the name will be explained in the Everything Dinosaur fact sheet that is being prepared by our experts.

Therizinosaurus Dinosaur Model

The “Freddy Krueger” of the dinosaur family.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Therizinosaurus Model

Nicknamed by team members the “Freddy Krueger of the Dinosaur Family”, because of its immensely long claws, Therizinosaurus is a member of the theropods, but a very odd member indeed.  The therizinosaurs, otherwise known as the “Scythe Lizards” for obvious reasons, seem to be exclusively found in Cretaceous rocks.

Therizinosaurs may have been carnivorous but over millennia adapted to eating plants.  They may have been omnivores or entirely herbivorous, scientists remain uncertain.  One thing for sure, Therizinosaurus (T. cheloniformis) is the largest of this type of dinosaur known to science.  It may have reached lengths in excess of eleven metres and the largest fossil claw found so far  measured nearly a metre in length.   These dinosaurs are thought to have been the sloths of the Cretaceous.

Huge Powerful Arms

Those huge, powerful arms equipped with three, roughly equally sized claws could have been used to grab and pull down branches of trees, thus permitting these bulky creatures to feed on the leaves.

Therizinosaurus (T. cheloniformis) walked on its hind legs, animals like this dinosaur have left four-toed footprints for scientists to study.  In the picture of the dinosaur, the four toes on each hind foot can be clearly seen.  It is another very colourful model, the choice of colour scheme may have been influenced by a picture of a Therizinosaurus that can be found on the Feathered Dinosaurs poster sold by Everything Dinosaur.  Take a look at the picture of the model above, and this image from the poster below – what do you think?

Inspiring Model Makers?

Therizinosaurus – depicted as a very colourful creature.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur from the Feathered Dinosaurs Poster

New Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus rex

Schleich have not announced any model retirements for next year, but we suspect the new green “raptor” and the T. rex are being brought in to replace the existing Velociraptor and the Tyrannosaurus rex  from the company’s “die kleinen Dinos” range.

The New Raptor from Schleich

Green terror!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

2014 Tyrannosaurus rex Model from Schleich

T. rex (Schleich 2014)

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Velociraptor has been given little feathers running along the length of the ulna, reflecting some evidence from the fossil record.  The T. rex model is similar to the 2012 Tyrannosaurus rex model introduction that can be found in the larger World of History model range.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s current range of World of History Schleich dinosaurs: Schleich Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

We shall wait and see what other announcements are going to be made by this German manufacturer with regards to 2014 dinosaur models.