All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
20 12, 2013

New Prehistoric Animal Models from Papo (2014)

By |2023-03-01T23:43:53+00:00December 20th, 2013|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|1 Comment

Papo Reveals New Additions to Prehistoric Animal Model Range for 2014 – Archaeopteryx, Dilophosaurus and a Baby Triceratops

The wait is over, we can now reveal that Papo will be adding a model of the creature sometimes referred to as the “first bird” Archaeopteryx to their prehistoric animal model range in 2014.  The figure is of Archaeopteryx lithographica and what a marvellous figure it is.  The company will also be bringing out a replica of the fearsome predator Dilophosaurus and a rather cute baby Triceratops to accompany the adult “three horned face” that is already part of the Papo model range.

Prehistoric Animal Models

Papo Takes to the Air in 2014 – Papo Archaeopteryx

New from Papo for 2014 a model of Archaeopteryx.

New from Papo for 2014 a model of Archaeopteryx.

Picture credit: Papo

Formally named and described in 1861, Archaeopteryx with its bird-like and reptile-like features is often described as a transitional fossil.  An animal that represents a sort of half-way house between the Dinosauria and the true Aves (Birds).  The Archaeopteryx fossil material at the Natural History Museum (London), is regarded as the holotype and it has been one of the most closely studied fossil specimens of all.  Everything Dinosaur has reported on a number of academic studies into the fossil material, studies that attempted to provide an insight into this creature’s evolution and Archaeopteryx’s flight capabilities.

Article on Archaeopteryx colouration: Archaeopteryx – Back in Black.

Flight capabilities in the Dinosauria: Study shows Dinosaur Brains Pre-programmed for Flight.

Dilophosaurus Dinosaur Model

The second new addition to Papo range of prehistoric animal models for 2014 is this rather wonderful replica of the fearsome predator Dilophosaurus.

Dilophosaurus Set for Release in 2014

Available in 2014 from Everything Dinosaur.

Available in 2014 from Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Papo

Dimensions for the Archaeopteryx or the Dilophosaurus have not been released yet but as soon as Everything Dinosaur gets briefed we will post them up on this blog and on our Facebook site.

A Papo Baby Triceratops

Last but not least comes this rather cute baby Triceratops.  The model has been designed to reflect what is currently known about the growth rates and appearance of baby ceratopsians.  The model should work well with the adult Triceratops model which is already in the Papo prehistoric animal model range.

Baby Triceratops Model Joins the Papo Range for 2014

Available in 2014 from Everything Dinosaur.

Available in 2014 from Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Papo

The baby Triceratops with its stumpy tail, large eyes and rudimentary horns is an accurate representation of what most palaeontologists think a young Triceratops would look like.  The skin texture looks really realistic too, we have been lucky enough to have seen examples of Triceratops fossilised skin impressions and examine them close up.  When the prototypes are available we will have to count those toes and fingers but all in all this model and the two other new additions to the Papo range look most impressive.

A spokes person from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Papo have added another three, intriguing models to their prehistoric animal model series.  This company has developed a strong reputation for the quality of its replicas and figures and it is always a pleasure to see new additions to this French company’s portfolio.”

None of these figures will be available before the 1st March next year, when we get more details we will make sure we post them up.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s current Papo prehistoric animal model range: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

20 12, 2013

Walking with Dinosaurs in 3-D in Cinemas Today

By |2023-03-01T23:41:07+00:00December 20th, 2013|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans|0 Comments

Cinema goes back to the Late Cretaceous

The long awaited “Walking with Dinosaurs” film is released in the UK today.  No doubt it will prove to be  a “monster” hit with dinosaur fans of all ages.  The story is set in the Late Cretaceous of North America and centres on the adventures or a horned dinosaur called “Patchi” and his friends.  “Patchi” is a Pachyrhinosaurus, the genus of horned dinosaur has currently got three species ascribed to it.  Everything Dinosaur team members think that the particular species of pachyrhinosaur featured in the film is Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis.

Walking with Dinosaurs

To learn a little more about the different species of Pachyrhinosaurus: Step Forward the Pachyrhinosaurs – Stars of a Dinosaur Film.

Commenting on the film, which is shot in 3-D, a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“This new movie will introduce cinema goers to a whole new range of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, quite a few of which they will not have heard of before.  For example,  many people may be familiar with the horned dinosaur called Triceratops but not many will be aware of the large number of horned dinosaur species that are now known to have existed during the Late Cretaceous of North America.  The film will also feature a number of dinosaurs with feathers.”

A Primitive Bird Narrates

The story unfolds from the point of view of Alex the “Alexornis”, a primitive bird who tells the story of “Patchi”, a baby Pachyrhinosaurus and his adventures when he becomes separated from the protection of his herd.   Life is tough for a young, vulnerable pachyrhinosaur with marauding troodontids, the fleet-footed Hesperonychus (a dromaeosaurid) and sharp-beaked pterosaurs ready to snatch up the youngster.  A number of dinosaur models have been made that represent the prehistoric animals seen in the film.  Walking with dinosaurs dinosaur models are certainly big business.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of prehistoric animal models including Pachyrhinosaurus models: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Walking with Dinosaurs in 3-D

An adult Pachyrhinosaurus surveys the situation.

An adult Pachyrhinosaurus surveys the situation.

The film makers are to be congratulated for providing such a rich and diverse cast of characters, accurately reflecting a Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian faunal stage) ecosystem.  Over the last few years palaeontologists have uncovered some remarkable fossil finds that have formed the basis for the animals in this story.  For instance, fossils found in Alaska indicate that herds of herbivorous dinosaurs very probably undertook seasonal migrations in search of better grazing or favourite nesting sites.

Pachyrhinosaurs

The Pachyrhinosaurs and other large herbivorous dinosaurs are shown in the movie migrating.  Naturally, where the herbivores go the apex predators follow and the chief villain of the piece is Gorgosaurus, a member of the tyrannosaur family. Gorgosaurus may not have been quite as big as its famous relative Tyrannosaurus rex but at over eight metres in length it was a formidable hunter, quite capable of tackling an unwary Pachyrhinosaurus.

Although there is much to admire in this new dinosaur film, it also, unwittingly portrays a problem with palaeontology.  We at Everything Dinosaur describe the science of palaeontology as being a bit like Easter – it’s a moveable feast.  New discoveries change the way we view prehistoric animals and one of the herbivores seen in this film (Edmontosaurus)  is already in need of a make over.  The three main protagonists, the pachyrhinosaurs known as “Juniper”, “Scowler” and “Patchi”, once separated from their own herd, join up with a migrating group of edmontosaurs and head off once again to find new feeding grounds.

The edmontosaurs depicted in the movie, show a lot of anatomical detail, however, a recent dinosaur discovery has revealed that at least one species E. regalis may have sported a soft tissue crest, almost like the comb seen on a rooster.

The Edmontosaurs as Seen in the New Dinosaur Film

In future this dinosaur could sport a comb-like structure on its head.

In future this dinosaur could sport a comb-like structure on its head.

The Trouble with Palaeontology

That’s the trouble with palaeontology, new fossil finds can re-write what we know and future depictions of Edmontosaurus on the big screen could portray this huge herbivore with a comb of soft tissue on its head.

To read more about latest interpretation of Edmontosaurus: Duck-billed dinosaur with a comb like a rooster.

Neil Nightingale, Creative Director of BBC Earth, which is behind the project, has directed “Walking with Dinosaurs in 3-D”, in conjunction with animator Barry Cook, who can count Disney’s “Mulan” as one of his previous credits. Neil hopes that this film, released in time for the Christmas holidays is going to educate as well as entertain.  As for the future direction of the “Walking with” franchise, Mr Nightingale will not be drawn on whether a sequel is in the pipeline but did comment in a recent interview that “we’ve got lots of great ideas lined up.”

With the best part of 160 million years of the “Age of Dinosaurs” to explore plus the inducement of representing dinosaurs as new fossil evidence is uncovered, we think that there could well be a “Walking with Dinosaurs in 3-D (Part 2)”, coming to a cinema screen near you in a couple of years time.

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