All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
13 10, 2016

Ancient Bird Voice Box Sheds Light on the Voices of Dinosaurs

By |2023-05-07T22:18:31+01:00October 13th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

The Oldest Bird Voice Box – Honking in Antarctica

The identification of the vocalisation organ in the fossilised remains of a Late Cretaceous bird has provided scientists with an insight into the sounds you might have heard had you visited Antarctica around 66 million years ago.  This bird voice box (called the syrinx), is the oldest known vocalisation organ from the Aves, it suggests that the bird – Vegavis iaai, very probably honked like a modern day goose, to which Vegavis is very distantly related.  As such a structure has not been found in non-avian dinosaurs, the research team hypothesise that dinosaurs may have vocalised in a similar way to today’s ostriches which also lack a syrinx.

An Ancient Bird Voice Box

Ancient Antarctic Bird May Have Honked Like a Goose

Ancient bird voice box discovered.

Vegavis iaai with the location of the syrinx highlighted.

Picture credit: Nicole Fuller/Sayo Art for University of Texas at Austin.

What is a Syrinx?

Most tetrapods such as humans and reptiles make noises by vibrating vocal folds in their larynxes, which is located at the back of the throat, but for most birds, the sounds that they make, be they, chirps, coos, quacks, tweets or honks are produced by a specially evolved organ called the syrinx, located in the windpipe where it branches left and right to the lungs.  This organ is not constructed from bone but from calcified cartilage that typically does not fossilise well.

Writing in the scientific journal “Nature”, the research team which includes palaeontologist Dr Julia Clarke (University of Texas at Austin), describe the oldest syrinx found to date and compare it to the vocal organs of both extinct and extant Aves, as well as making comparisons with Alligators and in turn, making some intriguing conclusions about the sounds that dinosaurs may have produced.

The Syrinx of Vegavis iaai is Constructed and Compared to that of Passerines and Alligators

The syrinx of Vegavis.

The shape of the syrinx of Vegavis is modelled and compared to living birds and reptiles.

Picture credit: Dr Julia Clarke (University of Texas at Austin)

Vegavis iaai

In 1992, a scientific expedition to explore the Upper Cretaceous deposits exposed on the isolated and remote Vega Island (a small island to the northwest of James Ross Island, on the Antarctic Peninsula), found the jumbled remains of an ancient bird.  Several years later the concretion containing these bird bones was passed to Dr Julia Clarke to study.

Dr Clarke and her colleagues named and described Vegavis iaai in 2005, just one of a number of birds known from the highly fossiliferous strata that make up the Upper Cretaceous rocks that preserve an almost unbroken sequence from the Campanian faunal stage, through to the extinction of the dinosaurs into the first faunal stage of the Palaeocene (the Danian).

The Holotype Material for Vegavis iaai

Vegavis iaai Fossils

The jumbled remains representing the holotype material for Vegavis iaai.

Picture credit: University of Ohio

The Evolution of Dinosaur and Bird Vocalisation

In 2013, whilst working on a project on the evolution of dinosaur and bird vocalisation, Dr Clarke decided to take another look at the specimen’s vertebrae before returning it.  Embedded in the rock, she discovered the tiny syrinx.  This part of the Vegavis specimen was then carefully scanned using micro-CT technology, high energy X-rays that can penetrate the rock and reveal the structures of delicate fossils without damaging them.

Dr Clarke explained the reason for the research:

“While we have looked a lot at the evolution of the wings in birds, we have done very little with looking at the origin of what is perhaps one of the most striking characteristics of living birds – their songs.”

The three-dimensional computer model that was produced was then compared with the voice boxes of younger avian fossils and with a dozen living bird species.  From this analysis, the team concluded that the shape of the syrinx in Vegavis iaai suggests that this ancient bird probably quacked or honked.

What Sound Did Dinosaurs Make Then?

Vegavis iaai has been classified as a member of the Anseriformes, a group of birds that consists of the waterfowl.  Vegavis shared its environment with a number of terrestrial dinosaurs including theropods, ornithopods and possibly armoured dinosaurs.  The apparent absence of a syrinx in dinosaur fossils of the same age, indicates that this organ may have originated late in the evolution of Aves, long after powered flight had evolved.

The researchers suggest that since there is no evidence of syrinx in the Dinosauria, dinosaurs may not have been able to make the sort of sounds that we associate with the close, living relatives the birds.  Instead, dinosaurs may have been able to make closed mouth sounds, like the booming sound produced by today’s ostriches which also do not possess a syrinx.

Did Dinosaurs Vocalise in a Similar to Ostriches?

Did dinosaurs vocalise in a similar to extant ostriches?

Ostriches vocalise in a closed mouth fashion.

Picture credit: University of Texas at Austin/Motie Shirinkam

How Ostriches Vocalise

Male ostriches are able to produce a low frequency “booming” sound by inflating its neck to three times its normal diameter.  Female ostriches can produce a hissing sound, but are not known to produce the “booming”.  The discovery of the sound producing vocal organ in a fossil bird from the Late Cretaceous provides anatomical evidence that could lead onto scientists inferring aspects of prehistoric bird behaviour and social structure.

Vegavis Takes Flight Whilst a Male Theropod Dinosaur Vocalises Nearby

The vocalisation of dinosaurs and birds.

Vegavis takes off whilst a male theropod dinosaur vocalises close by.

Picture credit: Nicole Fuller/Sayo Art for University of Texas at Austin

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

12 10, 2016

Brazil’s Biggest Dinosaur To Date

By |2023-05-07T22:04:59+01:00October 12th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Austroposeidon magnificus and Llewellyn Ivor Price

This week has seen the formal naming and scientific description of Austroposeidon magnificus, the largest dinosaur, indeed the largest terrestrial animal known to science to have ever lived in Brazil.  Writing in the on line academic journal “PLoS One”, the researchers, which include Dr Alexander Kellner of the Federal University (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and the director of the Earth Sciences Museum, Diogenes de Almeida Campos, also based in Rio de Janeiro, announced the latest edition to the Titanosauria clade.

An Illustration of Austroposeidon magnificus a New Brazilian Dinosaur

An illustration of Austroposeidon magnificus.

Austroposeidon magnificus size estimate.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Fossils Found in 1953

The fossil material which consists of two cervical vertebrae (neck bones), a fairly complete first dorsal vertebra and several other partial dorsal vertebrae with at least one sacral element was found by pioneering Brazilian palaeontologist Llewellyn Ivor Price in 1953.  Sadly, Llewellyn Ivor Price died in 1980, although he made a major contribution to the advancement of geology and palaeontology in Brazil, these particular, giant fossilised bones and their significance was not recognised during his lifetime.

Ironically, the paper on this new herbivorous dinosaur “A New Giant Titanosauria (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Late Cretaceous Bauru Group, Brazil”, was published in the same week of October that Llewellyn Ivor Price passed away.  The paper being published on the 5th October 2016, the palaeontologist passing on the 9th October 1980.

Museum Director Diogenes de Almeida Campos with the Partial Backbone

Elements from the partial vertebral column of Austroposeidon.

The museum director poses with the giant bones of Austroposeidon.

Picture credit: Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

In numerous cases, fossils are stored for many years prior to their formal description.  A lack of funds or indeed trained staff to examine fossils within a collection can mean that it can be decades before fossils are scientifically examined.  In the 1950s, little was known about the Titanosauria clade compared to what we know today, although Titanosaurus, the dinosaur after which this clade was named, had been described back in the late nineteenth century (T. indicus 1877) – although most of the material associated with Titanosaurus indicus is regarded as nomen dubium (concerns raised over validity).

The Tenth Brazilian Titanosaur

With the naming of Austroposeidon magnificus, Brazil has a total of ten titanosaurs (we think), although based on these fossil remains A. magnificus is by far the largest, with the researchers estimating that it would have reached lengths of around twenty-five metres.  The name of this new Late Cretaceous dinosaur reflects its impressive size, the name means “great, elevated, noble southern earthquake lizard”.

The fossils come from Upper Cretaceous strata of the Presidente Prudente Formation (Bauru Group, Paraná Basin), São Paulo State, south-eastern Brazil.  This unit has also produced the fossilised remains of two other Brazilian titanosaurs, Brasilotitan nemophagus (which was named in 2013) and Gondwanatitan faustoi (named in 1999).  Although Brasilotitan and Gondwanatitan are only known from fragmentary remains they are likely to have been considerably smaller than the newly described Austroposeidon.

Gregory S. Paul has estimated Gondwanatitan to have been around seven metres in length, whereas, Everything Dinosaur team members estimate Brasilotitan to have been slightly bigger perhaps as much as ten metres long.  Prior to the naming of Austroposeidon, the largest titanosaur known from Brazil (we think), was Maxakalisaurus topai, fossils of which come from another member of the Late Cretaceous Bauru Group.  Once estimated to be around thirteen metres long, in June 2016 a fossilised jaw bone and other cranial elements were ascribed to Maxakalisaurus and the size of this dinosaur was revised upwards to around twenty metres.

The Fossilised Fragmentary Vertebrae on Display

Austroposeidon fossil material.

The fossilised vertebrae of Austroposeidon on display.

Picture credit: Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

Austroposeidon magnificus

The large bone in the centre of the picture is cervical vertebrae 13, the number represents the place in the neck that this bone was located.  This bone shows some of the four autapomorphies (unique traits) that led to the identification of the new dinosaur genus.  Cervical thirteen was one of the bones subjected to CT scans in order to reveal internal structures, the research team identified dense growth rings, a first for the Sauropoda.  Austroposeidon shows that giant titanosaurs were present in Brazil during the Late Cretaceous, as well as further south in South America (Argentina).

Although the fossil material is very fragmentary, the scientists were able to undertake a phylogenetic analysis, in the Sauropoda the bones that make up the spine are highly diagnostic.  The researchers concluded that Austroposeidon magnificus is nested within the Lognkosauria, a clade of titanosaurs that includes a number of super-sized genera.  Based on this research, the authors of the paper conclude that this dinosaur was probably related to Puertasaurus, another enormous titanosaur that lived at approximately the same time as Austroposeidon, but its fossils are found further south.

Llewellyn Ivor Price may have died many years ago, but his fossil finding exploits are still helping to shape our understanding of Brazil’s prehistoric past.

11 10, 2016

A Dinosaur “Wow Wall”

By |2023-05-07T21:56:44+01:00October 11th, 2016|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Displaying Children’s Dinosaur Topic Work

Year 1 children at Lowton St Mary’s CE Primary have commenced their autumn term topic entitled “Why are humans not like dinosaurs?  The children have not learned about prehistoric animals in school before, for the teacher too, this is a new topic, requiring careful planning to help cement the learning targets already achieved in Reception and to prepare the children for more directed learning tasks targeted on developing confidence with literacy and numeracy.

A Dinosaur Themed Topic

A question at the heart of the topic, provides the teaching team with a focal point on which to centre the scheme of work for the term.  In this instance, the question asking about the differences between people and dinosaurs links into one of the key areas of the English national curriculum for Lower Key Stage 1, that of learning about our bodies.

The Focal Point for a Dinosaur Themed Term Topic – “Why are Humans not like Dinosaurs”?

A "Wow Wall" in Year 1 helping to enthuse the children.

Why are humans not like dinosaurs?

Picture credit: Lowton St Mary’s CE Primary/Everything Dinosaur

A “Wow Wall”

A number of display areas have been prepared around the well-organised classroom to showcase the children’s work.  This can provide a focal point for the children and allows good examples of writing (fiction and non-fiction), to be prominently displayed.  During a visit to the school, to conduct a dinosaur themed workshop with the class to act as a provocation for the term topic, our fossil expert provided further advice as well as some handy extension resources to support planning of the topic areas.

One suggestion was to introduce the story of Mary Anning (1799-1847).  This Georgian lady found a number of important fossils around the cliffs of Lyme Regis and the tongue twister “she sells sea shells” is connected with her.  Mary also provides a fine role model for girls, in what otherwise might be viewed as a boy focused topic.

Mary Anning – A Famous Fossil Hunter from Dorset (southern England)

Mary AnningPoster

Helping to learn all about scientists.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Dinosaur Museum

Many teachers dedicate an area of the classroom for a dinosaur museum, this allows craft ideas such as fabric and clay models or salt dough fossils to be displayed.  This permits the teaching team to support an area of curriculum learning related to exploring the properties of everyday materials.

During our visit we met one little boy who explained that he had some fossils at home.  With permission, these items could be brought into school and put on display in the museum, this allows the teacher to explore with the children what might be needed to keep the fossils safe, how might the fossils be displayed?  When creating a dinosaur museum in a classroom environment we like to ask the class what sort of rules their museum should have.  Thinking about the rules for good behaviour in the museum links into the PSHE elements (personal, social, health and economic values), that are encouraged by Ofsted.

The children considering appropriate behaviour in their museum can help them to understand and develop knowledge, understanding, attitudes and responsibilities with regards to their own behaviour in the class generally.

Different Materials Used to Make a Prehistoric Animal Themed Display

A dinosaur themed display.

Different materials used to make a prehistoric animal themed display.

Picture credit: Lowton St Mary’s CE Primary/Everything Dinosaur

A Dinosaur Themed Topic “Wow Wall”

The prehistoric animal themed display, the “wow wall” as we like to call it, was comprised of a number of different materials.  This was a clever way of helping the children to explore textures as well as the properties of materials.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

10 10, 2016

Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth Craft Idea

By |2023-05-07T21:42:12+01:00October 10th, 2016|Early Years Foundation Reception, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth Craft Idea

Milk Carton to Woolly Mammoth

For teachers, museum staff and home educationalists, here is a simple craft idea to make a Woolly Mammoth model.  This could prove to be very useful when thinking of extension ideas to support teaching about the Stone Age or prehistoric mammals.  A milk carton can be used to make a Woolly Mammoth model.

Make Your Own Woolly Mammoth Models Using Milk Cartons

Making a Woolly Mammoth out of a plastic milk carton.

Making a Woolly Mammoth out of a milk carton.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

Ideal for Upper KS1 or Lower KS2

Using just a few basic school resources, all of which are readily available in the average classroom, a milk carton can be used to make a Woolly Mammoth model.  This craft idea is a great way to help support cross curricular activities.

What You Will Need

  • Scissors (round ended ones would be best)
  • A selection of empty milk cartons (washed out)
  • White card or paper
  • Paints
  • Pencil and a black pen to help draw out the shapes to be cut out of the milk carton

Carefully cut the milk carton in half, using the handle as a guide.  The handle will make the trunk of the Mammoth so cut the handle first than cut around the rest of the carton.  Then trim the base of the milk carton so that the base is a good two centimetres deeper than the trunk.  This will ensure that the Mammoth’s trunk will be raised off the floor.

The Milk Carton Mammoth Begins to Take Shape

Milk carton Woolly Mammoth takes shape.

Woolly Mammoth takes shape (milk carton).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Making a Woolly Mammoth Model

Cut two tongue-shaped slots on each side of the carton, these will make the legs.  Use a pencil to sketch out where the cuts will be made and then go over the pencil line with a black marker pen to give you a distinctive line to follow.  Cut a third tongue-shaped slot on the back of the carton, this will help to form the back legs.  Add the tail by cutting a small “V” shape at the top of this slot, you can then bend this plastic out to make the Woolly Mammoth’s stumpy tail, but watch for sharp edges.

Paint your Woolly Mammoth model, mark in the five toe nails per foot, outline the small ears (an adaptation to the cold) and add the eyes.

Build Your Own Herd of Prehistoric Woolly Mammoths

A pair of milk carton Woolly Mammoths.

Build your own herd of milk carton Woolly Mammoths.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Make a small hole either side of the trunk and push some white card or paper into the hole to form the pair of tusks.  Bend the tip of the tusks upwards so that they resemble the tusks of this Ice Age elephant.  Different sized milk cartons can be used to make different sized Woolly Mammoths, such as the adult and young pictured above.

For dinosaur and prehistoric animal resources for schools, including fossil sets and dinosaur models: Prehistoric Animal Toys and Gifts.

10 10, 2016

Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth

By |2023-05-07T18:32:46+01:00October 10th, 2016|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth

Here’s a simple craft idea for teachers, home educationalists and museum staff who want to teach about Ice Age prehistoric animals.  A plastic milk carton can be turned into a Woolly Mammoth model.

A Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth Model

Making a Woolly Mammoth out of a plastic milk carton.

Making a Woolly Mammoth out of a milk carton.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

A Woolly Mammoth Model

This is a simple and fun to make Woolly Mammoth model and would be a great activity for Key Stage 1 or Lower Key Stage 2 children to try.

What You Will Need to Make a Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth

  • Empty plastic milk cartons (washed out to remove any milk residue)
  • Pair of round ended scissors
  • Pencil and black highlighter pen
  • White card or paper
  • Paints

Taking your milk carton, carefully cut it into half, using the handle as a guide.  The handle will form the trunk of your Mammoth so cut the handle first then cut around the rest of the carton about two centimetres lower down the carton.  This will ensure that your Mammoth’s trunk will be raised off the ground.

What You Need to Make a Milk Carton Mammoth

What you need to make a Woolly Mammoth model from a milk carton.

Tools required to make a milk carton Mammoth.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth Model

Once the milk carton has been cut, then simply cut two tongue-shaped slots on the widest part of carton, these will make the legs.  Use a pencil to sketch out where the cuts will be made and then go over the pencil line with the black marker pen to give you a distinctive shape to follow as you cut.  Finally, cut a third tongue-shaped slot on the back of the carton, this slot will help to form the back legs.  If you want, you can cut a small “V” shape at the top of this slot, you can then bend this plastic out to make the Woolly Mammoth’s little tail.

The Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth Begins to Take Shape

Milk carton Woolly Mammoth takes shape.

Woolly Mammoth takes shape (milk carton).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Once the legs and tail have been cut out, simply paint the carton a sandy, brown colour to mimic the shaggy Mammoth coat.  Add the eyes, (draw on the tail, if you have not cut out a “V-shaped” slot at the back), and add the five rounded nails on each foot.  You can mark the area of the ears as well.  Remember, Woolly Mammoths had relatively short ears compared to those of modern elephants (an adaptation against the cold).

Build Your Own Herd of Woolly Mammoths

A pair of milk carton Woolly Mammoths.

Build your own herd of milk carton Woolly Mammoths.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Adding the Tusks

To finish off your Woolly Mammoth cut two small holes either side of the trunk and then slot in a piece of white card or paper to make the tusks.  Don’t forget to bend the tusks upwards a fraction and there you have it, an easy to make milk carton Woolly Mammoth, a super craft idea to support teaching about Ice Age animals and life in the Stone Age.

Different sized milk cartons can be used to make different sized members of your Mammoth herd.

For models and replicas of prehistoric animals including Woolly Mammoths: Papo Replicas of Prehistoric Animal Models.

9 10, 2016

Everything Dinosaur Unboxing Video

By |2023-05-07T18:20:26+01:00October 9th, 2016|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page|0 Comments

Dino Toy Blog Unboxing Video

Those clever people responsible for the Dino Toy Blog and the Dinosaur Toy Forum have posted up an unboxing video having received some prehistoric animal models from Everything Dinosaur.  Team members at Everything Dinosaur always enjoy seeing videos such as these, it is always a pleasure to receive feedback on our models and our customer service.  We are very fortunate to have some amazing customers who are passionate about prehistoric animals and model collecting.  In this short video, the narrator talks through his latest acquisitions with a focus on marine reptiles.

Dino Toy Blog Unboxing (Everything Dinosaur)

Video credit: Dino Toy Blog

Top Marks for Sauropelta

Included in the haul, is the fabulous Wild Safari Prehistoric World Sauropelta dinosaur model.  It was voted the top dinosaur toy of 2015 by Dinosaur Toy Forum members, just pipping the 1:4 scale CollectA Supreme Guidraco which also features in this unboxing video.  Look out also for the CollectA Temnodontosaurus platyodon and a recently introduced interpretation of the fearsome Liopleurodon from Bullyland.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

The Dino Toy Blog YouTube channel has lots of informative video reviews of dinosaur toys and replicas, plus it showcases the private model collections of many of the dedicated forum members.

Check out the YouTube channel of the Dino Toy Blog, and don’t forget to subscribe.

The Bizarre Atopdentatus unicus

This video also gives viewers the opportunity to take a close look at the Paleo-Creatures Atopodentatus figure, a replica of a basal sauropterygian of the early Middle Triassic of south-western China.  Everything Dinosaur sells the Paleo-Creatures range of hand-crafted prehistoric animal models exclusively in the UK.

The narrator points out that recent fossil finds may have changed our understanding with regards to the skull and jaws of this herbivorous sea creature, but the Paleo-Creatures Atopodentatus still remains highly collectible.

The Paleo-Creatures Atopodentatus Marine Reptile Model

The Paleo-Cretatures Atopodentatus figure.

The Paleo-Creatures Atopodentatus marine reptile figure.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the dinosaur and prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Models and Figures.

Praising Everything Dinosaur’s Customer Service

Regular customers of Everything Dinosaur won’t be surprised to hear that the narrator praises Everything Dinosaur’s speedy delivery service.  The parcel arrived the following day.  This rapid delivery is mentioned in the video review, lots of companies may promise speedy service, but at Everything Dinosaur we really try to leave up to our reputation for a fast turnaround and despatch of orders, after all, we know how keen dinosaur fans and model collectors are to receive their items.

To view independent reviews about Everything Dinosaur: Independent Reviews Featuring Everything Dinosaur.

Everything Dinosaur Say Thanks

Once again, we would like to express our thanks to those talented people behind the Dino Toy Blog and the Dinosaur Toy Forum for creating this video of an unboxing of prehistoric animal models from Everything Dinosaur.

To read our original article published in 2014 announcing the discovery of Atopodentatus: Bizarre New Marine Reptile Described.

To read our May 2014 article updating the description of Atopodentatus in the light of further research and a study of less distorted skull fossil material: Atopodentatus Unzipped.

8 10, 2016

Reception Classes Explore Dinosaurs

By |2023-05-07T18:10:12+01:00October 8th, 2016|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Manor Primary and Dinosaurs

Friday was yet another busy day for the young learners at Manor Primary School (Coseley, West Midlands).  The three Reception classes had embarked on their first ever term topic and to cap an exciting week, the children were visited by one of the dinosaur experts from Everything Dinosaur.

Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals

With three workshops to deliver over the course of the day, the teaching schedule was quite tight, but within minutes of arriving our team member had settled in and prepared the spacious dance hall in readiness for the first of that morning’s dinosaur workshops.  There was plenty of time prior to the arrival of the children to conduct a briefing with one of the Foundation Stage teachers.  This helped establish learning objectives and intended outcomes for each class workshop.  In addition, our dinosaur expert was given the opportunity to view some of the excellent preparation that had been undertaken by the teaching team in this Ofsted rated “outstanding” school.

RLC Class Children Had Thought About Dinosaurs Prior to the Workshop

A simplified KWL chart with Reception children.

Reception children think about dinosaurs. What can they tell the teacher?

Picture credit: Manor Primary/Everything Dinosaur

First Time Dinosaurs

This was the first term topic for the three Reception classes, the autumn term marking the transition from the Nursery programme onto the more structured learning associated with Foundation Stage 2 on the national curriculum.  It was also the first time that the teachers had covered dinosaurs with their charges, our handy phonetic pronunciation guide was greatly appreciated, we know how challenging some of those dinosaur names can be!  The extra resources that we had provided were well received and there was even an opportunity to inspect the organised and tidy classrooms prior to the start of the school day.

As a teaching school, providing support and training to other schools in the area, Manor Primary sets high standards for both pupils and staff.  Emphasis is placed on developing confident, enthusiastic learners and the stimulating activities that the children had been focused on in the first few days of this term topic provided plenty of evidence of a thoughtful and well-planned scheme of work.

Clay Fossils

Some of the children had made clay fossils, whilst others had been constructing dinosaur teeth.   One class had been excavating their very own set of dinosaur bones in the classroom sand tray.  Dinosaurs and fossils as a topic certainly gives plenty of scope for exploring the properties of materials as well as for creative, imaginative play.

For prehistoric animal toys and games: Prehistoric Animal Toys and Games.

RAB Class Had Been Making Their Own Dinosaur Land

A Reception class dinosaur themed creative play area.

A creative play area with a dinosaur theme in the Reception class.

Picture credit: Manor Primary/Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Drawing Challenge

Plenty of space had been set aside in each of the three Reception classrooms to allow the children’s work to be displayed.  We challenged the children to have a go at drawing their very own dinosaur, but we also wanted to see plenty of labelling of the dinosaur’s body parts.  Could they label the dinosaur’s head?

Lots of pre-knowledge was demonstrated by the children, they certainly know their dinosaurs, but our workshops also focused on developing vocabulary as well as exploring the differences between people and prehistoric animals.  Plenty of good listening in evidence, which was quite remarkable given the fact that some of these enthusiastic palaeontologists have only just turned four.

RKM Class Take Up Palaeontology in the Sand Tray

Reception class dig for dinosaurs.

Digging for dinosaurs with a Reception class.

Picture credit: Manor Primary/Everything Dinosaur

Diverse and Varied Dinosaur Themed Activities

The children certainly have access to diverse and varied dinosaur themed activities.  All learning styles seem to be well catered for.  We hope that our novel way of demonstrating the size of a Tyrannosaurus rex, part of the extension resources that were provided, helps the FS2 children to appreciate that some dinosaurs were very big indeed!  Or were they massive, giant, huge, bigger – just some or the words the children came up with when we examined fossils and challenged the children to describe some of them.

Discover Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 10, 2016

Graduate Student Unlocks the Secrets of Sea Turtle Evolution

By |2023-07-22T07:44:50+01:00October 7th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Ctenochelys acris Comes Out of its Shell

Palaeontologists have long puzzled over the origins of today’s extant species of sea turtle.  Thanks to the efforts of a post-doctoral student at the University of Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama, USA), scientists have been able to confirm the existence of a marine adapted turtle representing the oldest known member of the lineage that gave rise to modern sea turtles.

In a paper published in the academic publication “The Journal of Systematic Palaeontology”, lead author Drew Gentry, has been able to identify several 80-million-year-old fossils as Ctenochelys (tee-no-key-lees) acris, thus helping to piece together the evolutionary history of sea turtles.

For models and replicas of sea monsters and marine reptiles: PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models.

Sea Turtle Evolution

Researchers from the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology worked with two relatively complete turtle skeletons, along with several smaller pieces, that are housed at Birmingham’s McWane Science Centre, the study confirms the existence of Ctenochelys acris, previously known only from a few isolated fragments.

A Scale Drawing of Ctenochelys acris Showing Some of the Fossils Used in the Research

Scale drawing of Ctenochelys.

A silhouette showing the proposed outline of Ctenochelys with a frogman providing scale.

Picture credit: University of Alabama

The McWane fossils help solve a long-standing debate as to whether this animal was a unique species.

They also provide insights into the evolutionary history of living species of sea turtles, animals such as the Ridley, the Leatherback, the Green and the Loggerhead, all of which are, sadly, classified as vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Alabama During the Late Cretaceous

The area of the south-western United States was covered by a shallow, tropical sea for much of the Late Cretaceous.  The fossils ascribed to C. acris have been excavated from marine strata dated to around 80 million years ago (Campanian faunal stage), a time when sea levels were much higher than today and the Western Interior Seaway covered most of the United States.  During this time sea turtle diversity was very high and lead researcher on the project Drew Gentry explained:

“Climatic warming during the mid-Cretaceous resulted in elevated sea levels and temperatures that, in turn, provided an abundance of new niches for marine turtles to invade.  Represented today by only seven living species, sea turtles were once one of the most diverse lineages of marine reptiles.  Before the cataclysm that claimed the dinosaurs, there may have been dozens of specialised species of sea turtle living in different oceanic habitats around the world.”

A Diagram Showing North America Approximately 75 million years ago

The Western Interior Seaway.

A map showing the Western Interior Seaway of North America circa 75 mya.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Not Sure of the Validity of Ctenochelys acris

Prior to the assessment of the McWane fossil specimens, palaeontologists were unsure as to the validity of Ctenochelys acris.  Not only do the newly discovered fossils prove C. acris existed, they may also be a critical piece in a much larger puzzle of sea turtle evolution.

Drew Gentry added:

“There is strong evidence which indicates freshwater turtles may have evolved to occupy marine environments at several points in the past.  But most of those lineages went extinct, making the exact origins of living or ‘true’ sea turtles somewhat of a mystery.”

The study suggests that the earliest ancestors of today’s sea turtles may have originated from waters covering the south-western United States.  By comparing the skeleton of C. acris with those of both extinct and living species of turtles, Gentry discovered that C. acris possessed traits of both sea turtles and their closest living turtle relatives, snapping turtles.

A Bottom-dwelling Turtle

“This animal was a bottom-dwelling sea turtle that fed primarily on molluscs and small invertebrates.  Unlike the ‘rudder-like’ hind-limbs of today’s sea turtles, C. acris had large, powerful hind-limbs to help push it through the water, a lot like a modern-day snapping turtle.”

Scientists are hopeful that by learning more about the origins of sea turtles, this may lead to better protection for those species still found today.  Studying the diversity and evolutionary history of marine turtles during previous periods of climate change can provide meaningful insights into what effects climate and environmental changes might have on modern marine turtle populations.

The fossils that led to this research were discovered in 1986 and contributed to what was then the Red Mountain Museum.  The McWane Science Centre was founded in 1998 by the merger of the Red Mountain Museum and a nearby children’s museum, Discovery Place.

The palaeontological and archaeological collection at McWane is one of the largest in the south-eastern United States and houses a number of significant finds from across Alabama, including the recently announced Eotrachodon, a type of duck-billed dinosaur.

To read an article about Alabama’s very own duck-billed dinosaur: Duck-billed Dinosaurs – Sweet Home Alabama!

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the University of Alabama in the compilation of this article.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

6 10, 2016

Two New Species of British Ichthyosaur Swim into View

By |2023-05-07T17:41:39+01:00October 6th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Two New Species of Jurassic Ichthyosaur Described After Six Years of Research

Much has been written about the “bone wars”, the rivalry between two distinguished and very eminent pioneering American palaeontologists Charles Othniel Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope as they competed with each other to excavate and describe the fossilised bones of dinosaurs from the western United States.  However, during Georgian and Victorian times in Britain, a race was on between well-to-do landowners to excavate and put on display a myriad of strange antediluvian creatures, the remains of which were being found in quarries and construction sites as the industrial revolution transformed the countryside.

Thanks to some dogged detective work, palaeontologists Dean Lomax (Honorary Scientist at The University of Manchester) and Professor Judy Massare (Brockport College, New York) have identified two new species of ichthyosaur (fish-lizard), from fossil material excavated more than 150 years ago.  These two, very modern scientists are helping to write a new chapter on the evolution, radiation and diversification of British ichthyosaurs, a story that links back to the early pioneers of palaeontology.

Palaeontologist Dean Lomax Peruses an Ichthyosaur Specimen

Dean Lomax (palaeontologist) studies Ichthyosaur fossils.

Palaeontologist Dean Lomax with one of the Ichthyosaur specimens from the study, BRSUG 25300, the holotype specimen of Ichthyosaurus larkini.

Picture credit: University of Manchester

Britain During the Jurassic

For much of the Jurassic, the area now known as the British Isles was covered by a warm, tropical sea.  Scattered across this seascape were a number of small islands, this area superficially resembled the Caribbean of today, but instead of green iguanas, basilisk lizards, wild pigs and capuchin monkeys typical of islands such as Barbados, Puerto Rico and Grenada, the terrestrial landscape back in the Jurassic was dominated by dinosaurs.

For further information on the different types of dinosaur that once thrived on the landmass now known as the British Isles we recommend “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” by Dean Lomax and Nobumichi Tamura, available from Siri Scientific Press: Dinosaurs of the British Isles can be ordered here.  The marine environment was also home to an array of exotic prehistoric animals and amongst the most successful of the Early Jurassic marine reptiles were the ichthyosaurs, formidable predators that had streamlined bodies similar to those of modern dolphins.

An Illustration of a Typical Ichthyosaurus

"Fish Lizard" Found in Australia

A typical Ichthyosaurus (Fish Lizard).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Tracking Down Ichthyosaurs

Many of the specimens excavated by early palaeontology pioneers on behalf of wealthy landowners and benefactors were poorly documented, several specimens have become lost, whilst a significant proportion have not been studied fully.  Dean and Judy set about tracking down examples of British ichthyosaurs, no mean feat as over the years, many fossils had been acquired by museums from all over the world  and a considerable amount of ichthyosaur material that originated from the British Isles is housed in Europe and elsewhere.  After six years of research, examining hundreds of fossils from all over the UK, Europe and North America, the intrepid pair have been able to identify two new species of British marine reptile.

For models and replicas of marine reptiles including ichthyosaurs: Marine Reptile Models and Figures.

Analysing Anatomical Features – Hiding in Plain Sight

By analysing features in the skull and post-cranial material, the scientists were able to identify a new species of Ichthyosaurus from a specimen at the University of Bristol.  This almost complete skeleton, had been on public display in the School of Earth Sciences for many years and thanks to Dean and Judy, this specimen has been identified as a new species of Early Jurassic ichthyosaur.  The animal has been named Ichthyosaurus larkini. The species honours British palaeontologist Nigel Larkin.  The name ‘Larkin’ means “fierce”, which is quite fitting for what was a fast moving, nektonic predator!

Commenting on the outcome of this research, Dean Lomax stated:

“It’s quite amazing, hundreds of people must walk past this skeleton every day, yet its secrets have only just been uncovered.  This specimen has received little in the way of scientific study, although this is not uncommon as there is so much material to see and only a finite amount of funding to see and study everything – in fact, much of my research is self-funded”.

A View of the Holotype Specimen of Ichthyosaurus larkini

Ichthyosaurus larkini.

The holotype specimen of I. larkini.

Picture credit: University of Manchester

Visit the website of Dr Dean Lomax: Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.

The Second Species – Ichthyosaurus somersetensis

The second new species to be described, making a total of six species within the Ichthyosaurus genus, has an equally interesting story.  The key specimen was probably collected from a quarry in Glastonbury, Somerset, sometime in the 1840s.   It was sent to Delaware in the United States by Edward Wilson of Tenby, South Wales, for his brother, Dr Thomas Wilson, who donated the specimen to Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences in 1847.  The fossil has remained within the Academy’s vertebrate fossil collection ever since.  It was kept in storage and few people knew that it even existed.

Dean explained:

“In my opinion, this specimen is the best example of Ichthyosaurus collected to date.  It paints such a cool picture too, having been found in a quarry in the Somerset countryside, cleaned, and then sent by boat to Philadelphia, and only now for it to be rediscovered – it’s like a good mystery book, piecing the story together!”

As so many Ichthyosaurus specimens have been found in Somerset, it was decided to honour the south-west of England county by naming the new species Ichthyosaurus somersetensis.

The Holotype Specimen of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis

Ichthyosaurus somersetensis holotype.

ANSP 15766, holotype specimen of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis.

Picture credit: E. Daeschler Academy of Sciences of Drexel University.

Another British Ichthyosaur

The picture above shows the holotype specimen of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis a practically complete skeleton lying on its right side; from Glastonbury, near Street, Somerset, the white scale bar represents 10 cm.

As part of their extensive search, Dean and Judy were keen to visit collections that were not known for their marine reptile fossils, which meant other scientists may not have visited them previously.  All examples of the new species come from locations that can no longer be accessed, for example, old quarries.

Dean concluded by saying:

“It is our hope that other similar fossils will be rediscovered in uninspected collections and brought to the attention of palaeontologists.  Who knows what else is waiting to be (re)discovered?” 

To read an article about the naming of a new species of marine reptile to honour Mary Anning: New Species of Ichthyosaurus honours Mary Anning.

The Paper (published in Palaeontology): Two New Species of Ichthyosaurus from the Lowermost Jurassic (Hettangian) of Somerset, England by Dean R. Lomax and Judy A. Massare.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

5 10, 2016

Rebor Oddities Fossil Studies (Tylosaurus proriger)

By |2023-05-07T17:25:57+01:00October 5th, 2016|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Rebor Oddities Fossil Studies (Tylosaurus proriger)

The Rebor oddities fossil studies Tylosaurus proriger replica is now in stock at Everything Dinosaur and what a beautifully crafted display piece it is.  When team members at Everything Dinosaur were first informed about this new strand to the ever-going Rebor range, we have to admit we had reservations.

This was a departure for the company and in our experience creating museum quality displays can be very problematic, however, the display box “ticks all the boxes” for us and the Rebor oddities fossil studies T. proriger makes a novel and fascinating addition to any model collection.

The Rebor Oddities Fossil Studies Tylosaurus proriger

Rebor (Charon) Tylosaurus proriger.

Rebor Tylosaurus proriger in display case.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Fine Details on the Replica

Everything Dinosaur has never conducted a survey to determine the most popular marine reptiles, but the likes of Tylosaurus, one of the biggest members of the Mosasauridae family, would be right up there and it is therefore fitting to see the first of this new line from Rebor depicting a skeleton of “Protuberance Lizard”.  The attention to detail is what makes this replica so striking.

The display case is well crafted and reminiscent of a museum display case, complete with sturdy hinges and overhead lighting (four AAA batteries are required).  The matrix surrounding the replica looks like it has been carefully chipped away to reveal the skeleton fossilised within the rock, individual chisel marks can be made out, that’s a really nice touch.

A Close Up of the Matrix Shows the Detail within the Substrate

The skull of Tylosaurus proriger (Rebor Charon).

A close up showing the details on the surrounding matrix.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Rebor Oddities Fossil Studies

Individual bones have been skilfully modelled and when lit, this replica really stands out, it just shouts quality and we praise Rebor for adding lovely finishing touches such as the brass effect nameplate.  Not only is the scientific name correct but we really appreciate the choice of an italic font, under ICZN rules and basic scientific protocol, the formal, scientific name should always be written in italics, something that a number of other model manufacturers fail to do.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: The Website of Everything Dinosaur.

The Nameplate on the Tylosaurus Skeleton Replica

Rebor Tylosaurus proriger nameplate.

The Rebor “Charon” Tylosaurus nameplate.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Why Charon?

We were emailed by a curious customer who wanted to know why the Rebor oddities fossil studies Tylosaurus proriger replica had been called “Charon”.  Those of you familiar with the Rebor model range will know that most of the replicas introduced so far have been given a nick-name related to Greek mythology.  The first in the Rebor oddities line is no exception.  In Greek mythology, Charon (otherwise referred to as Kharon), was the ferryman of Hades who transported the souls of the dead across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the underworld – the world of the deceased.

As Tylosaurus was a marine reptile and as it is the first skeleton replica to have been introduced by Rebor it seems apt that Charon was the name chosen for it.    Look out for another skeleton replica from Rebor coming out soon.  A 1:1 scale Rebor Club Selection Lourinhanosaurus antunesi embryo skeleton is due to be launched in the next few weeks.

To view the range or Rebor replicas, including the Rebor oddities fossil studies Tylosaurus proriger replica in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Replicas.

Go to Top