Common frogs (Rana temporaria) began breeding in the office pond very early this year. The first batch of frogspawn was observed on the morning of Saturday, the 18th of February. Frog activity had been observed in the pond a few days earlier. The spawning season has stared early, perhaps because of the mild, wet weather. February the 18th is the earliest date in the year that we have recorded frogspawn. Last year (2023), the first frogspawn was recorded on the 28th of February. This was the first time that we had recorded frogs spawning in February.
We estimate that by this weekend, a total of thirteen batches of frogspawn had been laid. The number of frogs seen in the pond has rarely exceeded four or five. However, other frogs must be visiting the pond and breeding during the night or in the early morning.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Record Amount of Frogspawn
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Although we cannot be certain, there could be a record amount of frogspawn in the office pond. We think there are thirteen batches in total. All the eggs were laid in a shallow part of the pond.”
Hopefully, the sudden cold snap with overnight frosts will not have harmed the eggs. We are looking forward to watching the tadpoles hatch.
We have frogspawn in the office pond. Today, a clump of frogspawn was observed in a shallow area of the office pond. Frogs had been spotted in the pond a few days ago, it seems that the spawning season has started. This is the earliest date in the year that we have recorded frogspawn. Last year (2023), the first frogspawn was recorded on the 28th of February. This was the first time that the frogs have spawned in February. This year, the frogs have begun spawning even earlier.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Common Frogs (Rana temporaria)
The spawn was produced by Common frogs (Rana temporaria). Observations by team members suggest that there were four frogs in the pond. The pond has been created to attract wildlife and frogs have laid their eggs in the pond each spring since 2008. For many years the frogs spawned around the third week of March. However, there is a distinct trend for recording spawning much earlier in the year.
Could this be a consequence of global warming and climate change?
It has certainly been very mild over the last week or two. Temperatures of 13-14 degrees Celsius have been recorded in the northwest of England. The average temperature for February in the Manchester area of England would normally be expected to be around 4-7 degrees Celsius.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Frogspawn Laid in a Shallow Part of the Pond
The frogs have laid their eggs in a shallow part of the pond. Eggs are not normally laid in this part of the office pond. Folklore suggests that if frogs lay in the shallows, then the next few weeks will be mild but wet. We will continue to observe the pond to see if more frogs arrive and more spawn is produced.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur took the opportunity to photograph the life-size Deinonychus replicas on display at the London Natural History Museum. These animated figures can be found in the Blue Zone of the Museum.
Visiting Deinonychus
Team members are not sure when the duo were installed in the Dinosaurs Gallery, but we estimate that these life-size replicas have been at the Museum for more than a decade.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Animated Deinonychus Dinosaur Models
The robotic armature permits these figures to move. The models can lift their heads, open their jaws and make a bow-like gesture to visitors. There is audio too. The Deinonychus replicas make a hissing sound. It reminds us of the sound a cat makes when it is frightened or being threatened.
The picture (above) illustrates Deinonychus. This model is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range of replicas.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“There are lots of amazing exhibits at the London Natural History Museum. However, we always like to say hello to the pair of Deinonychus figures. A visit is not complete until we have spent a little time in their company.”
On the subject of a visit, take a look at the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website.
An award-winning and user-friendly dinosaur themed website: Everything Dinosaur.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur photographed a spectacular Nile crocodile skeleton. The skeleton is on display at the London Natural History Museum. Recently, Everything Dinosaur wrote a short blog post about the reptile exhibit at the Museum.
As male Nile crocodiles tend to be much bigger than the females, we suspect the skeleton represents a male. The Nile crocodile skeleton could have come from a crocodile farm. Perhaps the skeleton came from a zoo. It is part of an exhibit that looks at extant reptiles. The exhibit also includes a large, stuffed Nile crocodile specimen.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“This large exhibit permits visitors to get a really good look at the skeleton of a large crocodile. The exhibit includes examples of crocodile stomach contents. The skeleton is impressive, although this reptile is dwarfed by the specimens in the Dinosaurs Gallery.”
Team members at Everything Dinosaur photographed a stunning Nile crocodile specimen on display at the London Natural History Museum. The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is the largest freshwater predator in Africa. Males can grow up to six metres in length and weigh more than a tonne. As such, the Nile crocodile can be considered as the second-biggest extant reptile. Only the Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is larger.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The stuffed crocodile specimen measures more than three metres in length. It is part of an exhibit that highlights the diversity of vertebrates found on Earth today. It is exhibited alongside a Crocodylus niloticus skeleton.
The Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Phylogenetic analysis has revealed that this African crocodile is more closely related to American crocodiles such as the Orinoco crocodile and the Cuban crocodile than it is to other African crocodile species. Several subspecies of Crocodylus niloticus have been proposed.
The picture (above) features the Mojo Fun crocodile figure. This detailed model has an articulated jaw.
To view the range of Mojo Fun figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Mojo Fun Models.
A Man-eater
These crocodiles are estimated to kill many hundreds of people each year. The total number of attacks on humans is unknown as many attacks are unreported. Nile crocodiles tend to be much more aggressive than many other crocodilians. However, these crocodiles live in close proximity to human populations throughout most of their range. As contact is more frequent, this may explain why the number of Nile crocodile attacks remains disproportionately high. Most attacks on humans are made by crocodiles that exceed three metres in length. However, smaller crocodiles, animals less than two metres in length are capable of overpowering children.
A number of programmes are in place to help reduce the threat of crocodile attacks, by providing alternative access to water through the construction of wells and safe water gathering places. It is hoped that educating local fishermen about crocodile behaviour can reduce the risk of attack.
Commenting on the museum crocodile exhibit a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“The exhibit looks at the evolutionary history of vertebrates. The reptile section is particularly interesting with many stuffed specimens on display.”
Professor Turi King has been announced as the next Director of the prestigious Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath. The Professor has an impressive curriculum vitae. She is a highly respected geneticist with a distinguished career involving several scientific disciplines. Professor King uses sophisticated and state-of-the-art genetic methods to advance research in fields including forensics, archaeology and history. Her expertise will prove invaluable as research continues into the organic traces associated with fossil material.
Picture credit: Carl Vivian
Professor Turi King
Turi graduated in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Cambridge and received her MSc and PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Leicester. She played a prominent role in the team of scientists that helped identify the remains of King Richard III. Her research expertise is in ancient forensic biomolecules. However, Professor King is a passionate communicator and has gained a lot of experience working with the media.
Perhaps best described as a polymath, Professor King has presented television programmes, written books and delivered lectures. She is currently Professor of Genetics and Public Engagement at the University of Leicester. Turi will join the University of Bath in April.
When asked about her new role, Professor King commented:
“I am truly excited and honoured to be joining Bath to lead the Milner Centre for Evolution. It is a unique institution and I am delighted to be able to contribute and build on both the excellent research and the public engagement with evolutionary science which are core to the Centre’s mission.”
We would like to wish Professor King every success as she takes up her new appointment.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
Images of the new Nanmu Studio giant ape model has been released. The latest figure is “King of the Giant Apes”, the ape is entitled “Fury”. This is a limited-edition, polymer resin model. The giant ape figure includes a stunning display base.
“King of the Giant Apes”
The model plays homage to the famous movie gorilla “King Kong”. Numerous films and franchises have been developed since the original RKO Pictures film was released in 1933. The creation of the character is credited to the American Merian Caldwell Cooper who produced and directed the film. The stop-motion animation was undertaken by special effects pioneer Willis H. O’Brien.
The figure bears the scars of many fights with other monstrous animals. It is depicted roaring and throwing a punch.
Tale of the Tape – Model Measurements
The “King of the Giant Apes” is in the Nanmu Studio limited-edition “Dragon Soul” series. Only five hundred figures are being commissioned. The model on its display base stands around 23 cm high (9 inches). The box dimensions for the figure are 31 x 15.2 x 32 cm.
Only five hundred figures are being produced.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that if the documentation and paperwork for export get sorted, then these figures should be in stock in the spring (2023).
Everything Dinosaur has built up a formidable reputation for its customer service. Our dedication is not limited to the packing of orders for customers, it extends to helping the couriers and other delivery partners that collect from our warehouse. Royal Mail sent a slightly smaller van than usual to our premises. Undaunted we worked with the driver to ensure all the parcels could be sent out. Thanks to our excellent packing we were able to squeeze in all the sacks and individual boxes.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Excellent Packing and Helping Out
Despite the heavy rain, team members were able to assist the van driver and get all the parcels safely loaded into the vehicle. Royal Mail takes care of the majority of our UK domestic deliveries. Most of the parcels in the photograph are being sent out by first class parcel post.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that team members liked to assist drivers collecting parcels from the warehouse. Indeed, sometimes the volume of parcels that were being collected leads to us helping to pack the vehicle so that all the orders can be despatched.
The spokesperson added:
“We appreciate how hard these drivers work. Customer orders are made ready for despatch in plenty of time for their collection at the allotted time. We often help to pack the sacks of orders into Royal Mail vehicles. Thankfully, most of our parcels are square or rectangular in shape, and this does make filling the vans a little easier. Still, it takes quite a lot of effort to get all the parcels in and away.”
Everything Dinosaur has been sent photographs of the 1:35 scale Haolonggood Alamosaurus prototypes. Previously, only concept art images were available for versions A and B. Model collectors can gain a better appreciation of the selected colour schemes.
Haolonggood Alamosaurus Photographs
The picture (above) shows the proposed colour scheme for Alamosaurus version A. The horned dinosaurs included in the photograph help to show the size of the titanosaur model. The Haolonggood Alamosaurus is in 1:35 scale and it will stand around thirty-five centimetres tall.
The first batch of these figures will be supplied with a display base, tree and an unpainted pterosaur figure.
Email Everything Dinosaur if you want to reserve one of these special dinosaur models: Email Everything Dinosaur.
Those Alamosaurus models reserved prior to the end of the year will be sent out with a display base, tree and an unpainted pterosaur model. The image (above) shows the Alamosaurus version B. It is standing on the display base and unpainted pterosaur figures (both designs) can be seen in the photograph. Only one unpainted pterosaur model will be sent out with each Alamosaurus.
The Limited-edition Alamosaurus (Version C)
The limited-edition (plain) Alamosaurus figure will only be made once. After the first batch of these models have been sold, that colour scheme will be retired.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur thanked Haolonggood for providing the photographs and stated:
“These images will demonstrate the quality of these 1:35 scale figures to collectors.”
Royal Mint in collaboration with the London Natural History Museum and palaeoartist Bob Nicholls have unveiled a trio of new dinosaur coins. The 50p coins feature iconic dinosaur genera. There is a Diplodocus dinosaur coin, along with a Tyrannosaurus and a Stegosaurus.
Picture Credit: The Royal Mint
A Dinosaur Coin Collection
Each design featuring the iconic dinosaur specimens has been created by palaeoartist Robert Nicholls and depicts a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the dinosaur and the environment in which it lived.
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint commented:
“We are excited to reveal the roar-some new collectable 50p coins by The Royal Mint, featuring some of the most legendary and mighty dinosaurs of all time – including Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Diplodocus. For nearly 200 million years, dinosaurs roamed the Earth so it’s fitting that they are honoured forever on an official UK coin. Seeing these dinosaurs on a 50p coin we hope it will delight and inspire both current and budding palaeontologists for years to come.”
Tyrannosaurus on a 50p Coin
This trio of dinosaur coins are part of a series entitled “Tales of the Earth”. These coins celebrate the amazing diversity of prehistoric animals. According to the media release, although Tyrannosaurus is a famous genus, this is the first time this iconic animal has featured on a UK fifty pence piece.
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
All three dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus feature in the Natural History Museum model series.
Each design is a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the dinosaur and the environment in which it lived. Professor Paul Barrett acted as scientific consultant on the project. A selection of the coins available will feature colour, bringing the dinosaur to life on an official UK coin, depicting the dinosaur and its environment as it would have looked like.
Designer Bob Nicholls stated:
“I have dedicated my life to bringing extinct animals back to life through art, I started drawing dinosaurs as soon as I could hold a pencil – it is my obsession. Any project that allows me to work with long-dead animals is a joy but having an opportunity to create collectable coins for The Royal Mint, with royal approval, is very special indeed.”
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
This prestigious 50p dinosaur coin series is available to purchase from The Royal Mint’s website. There are special colour editions too. Prices start from £11 (at time of publication).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur exclaimed:
“What a fantastic collaboration! A new dinosaur coin collection featuring iconic dinosaurs has been created. It is great to see institutions such as The Royal Mint, the London Natural History Museum working with top designers like Bob Nicholls. Dinosaur fans will be delighted.”