All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
23 01, 2018

Moroccan Authorities Investigate Unusual Mexican Dinosaur Auction

By |2024-02-25T08:00:43+00:00January 23rd, 2018|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Culture Ministry Investigates Sale of Atlasaurus Caudal Vertebrae

Moroccan authorities are investigating the sale of a dinosaur’s tail that was sold by the Mexican auction house Morton, to an anonymous buyer for around $97,000 USD ($1.8 million Mexican pesos).  The auction, which took place last Tuesday, was held in Mexico City.  It helped to raise funds for the reconstruction of schools damaged by earthquakes that occurred in Mexico during the autumn.  Any sum over the reserve price was to be donated to the earthquake relief fund.

The Dinosaur Tail (Atlasaurus imelakei) on Display Prior to the Auction

Atlasaurus Caudal Vertebrae (auction exhibit).
The Atlasaurus tail on display in the foyer of the BBVA Bancomer Tower (Mexico City).

Picture credit: Reuters/Daniel Becerril

Atlasaurus imelakei

The four-metre long specimen, weighs around 180 kilograms and represents a partial tail of a sauropod dinosaur from Morocco called Atlasaurus (A. imelakei).  Regarded as a member of the macronarian group of sauropods, Atlasaurus was distantly related to Brachiosaurus and Giraffatitan.  It lived in North Africa during the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian faunal stage) and it is known from numerous isolated bones and articulated specimens.  Atlasaurus had very long limbs, proportionately longer than most other members of the Sauropoda.   Its neck was relatively short compared to later macronarians.

Palaeontologists have speculated that the proportionately longer legs evolved to help this herbivorous dinosaur reach food, that other plant-eating dinosaurs could not obtain.  The long legs of Atlasaurus are regarded as an example of an evolutionary adaptation to achieve niche partitioning within North African dinosaurs.

Culture Ministry Becomes Involved in the Mexican Dinosaur Auction

The auction of the fossilised tail bones has come to the attention of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, which has launched an investigation to find out the origin and provenance of the fossil material.  The fossil was sold as part of a specialist auction, managed by the Morton Auction House.  A percentage of the sale proceeds being reportedly donated to the Bancomer Foundation to help support reconstruction efforts in those parts of Mexico affected by the recent earthquakes.  Media reports suggest that around $21,500 USD ($400,000 Mexican pesos), was to be donated from the sale of the fossil.

The fossil very likely originated from the Azilal region of Morocco.  The specimen has been restored, around 70% of the material is actual fossil bone.  Steps are being taken to determine how the specimen ended up in the auction.  This is not the first time Moroccan authorities have intervened in a case like this.  In April 2017, a Late Cretaceous plesiosaur fossil exhibit was removed from a Paris auction after an agreement was reached with the Binoche and Giquello auction company.

Tracing the Tale of a Tail

Several sources have stated that the Atlasaurus tail bones were acquired by the Morton Auction House from the Petra Gallery, which specialises in the sale of fossils and minerals.  The acquisition by the Morton Auction House from the Petra Gallery has been confirmed by Morton’s Press and Public Relations representative Kristina Velfu.

Ernesto Durán, the director of the Petra Gallery has stated that the fossil was bought legally in the United States and both a receipt and legal import document are available to prove the purchase as legitimate.

In Mexico, the selling of fossils found within the country is illegal, as they are considered part of the country’s heritage.  However, the law in Mexico does not prohibit the sale of fossils found outside its borders.  The Atlasaurus specimen very probably originated in Morocco, the authorities are interesting in tracing how the fossil came to be in the United States, where it was excavated from and what documentation (if any), exists with regards to its movement out of the country.

We at Everything Dinosaur, will watch how this story unfolds.

22 01, 2018

Reception at Egerton Primary Discover Dinosaurs

By |2023-08-30T15:39:00+01:00January 22nd, 2018|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Dinosaurs and Fossils at Egerton Primary School

The children in the Reception class at Egerton Primary School, (Knutsford, Cheshire) were visited by Everything Dinosaur, with “Dinosaur Mike” delivering a dinosaur and fossil workshop to help enthuse the Foundation Stage 2 children as they learn about fossils and life in the past.  The spacious and well-appointed school hall reverberated with the sound of stomping armoured dinosaurs and ammonites catching fish.  During the workshop, our dinosaur expert set the children a special challenge. Could they design their very own dinosaur and label parts of the body?

A Dinosaur and Fossil Workshop

The Reception Class at Egerton Primary School Sent Dinosaur Letters and Drawings

'Reception class letters and dinosaur drawings.
Dinosaur letters and drawings from the Reception class at Egerton Primary School. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

Taking Up a Dinosaur Drawing Challenge

With the help and support of the enthusiastic teaching team, the children were keen to take up Everything Dinosaur’s challenge. Sure enough, we received at our offices, a set of super prehistoric animal drawings and dinosaur themed letters from the children.

Long-necked Dinosaur Drawings from Foundation Stage 2

Long-necked dinosaur drawings from a Reception class.
Super sauropod drawings from Egerton Primary School (Reception class). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

Naming Dinosaurs

As part of our proposed extension activity, we challenged the Reception class to think up suitable names for their very own dinosaur designs.  During the morning visit, our dinosaur expert met a budding, young scientist called Maya. He explained to her and her classmates that there already was a dinosaur called Maiasaura (May-ah-sore-ah).  Maya had a name very similar to a Cretaceous, plant-eating dinosaur.  When back in the office, “Dinosaur Mike” emailed over a Maiasaura fact sheet and scale drawing of Maiasaura to help inspire the children with their own dinosaur designs.

We received some beautiful drawings and some lovely labelled dinosaurs.  Several children wrote a short thank you note to our dinosaur expert.  Wonderful evidence of gaining confidence with writing along with finger spacing of words being demonstrated and some basic grammar shown too!

A Dinosaur Themed Letter Writing Exercise (Egerton Primary School – Reception Class)

Dinosaur themed letter (FS2).
A letter to “Dinosaur Mike” from Reception class children at Egerton Primary School. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

A Letter Writing Exercise After the Dinosaur and Fossil Workshop

A simple letter writing exercise such as the dinosaur thank you notes, can help children gain confidence and assists in the development of hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.  Our thanks to all the children and the teachers in the Reception class at Egerton Primary, we have posted some of the children’s letters and drawings onto our warehouse wall.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

21 01, 2018

Everything Dinosaur January Newsletter

By |2023-08-30T15:20:55+01:00January 21st, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Newsletters, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

New Models and the Return of PNSO Figures

Everything Dinosaur’s latest newsletter features a variety of new prehistoric animal additions to the UK-based company’s product portfolio, plus the return of some old and exceedingly difficult to obtain favourites.  A shipment of PNSO figures has recently arrived and these take pride of place at the top of the January newsletter with the Chinese stegosaurid Chungkingosaurus taking centre stage.

The Everything Dinosaur Newsletter Features the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Chungkingosaurus Figure

PNSO Chungkingosaurus features in Everything Dinosaur mailshot.
PNSO Age of Dinosaur figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur mailshot.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Models and Figures in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

This beautifully crafted dinosaur model measures a whopping fifty-two centimetres long and the magnificent head is nearly twenty centimetres off the ground.  This is not the biggest model in the range, the sauropod replica (Huanghetitan), stands thirty-nine centimetres high and is nearly seventy centimetres long.  The future of the PNSO product line remains in serious doubt and a number of figures have already gone out of production.  Fortunately, Everything Dinosaur has been able to secure some stocks.

To view the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

Schleich and Safari Ltd Figures

A cornucopia of prehistoric animal figures is featured in the middle section of the Everything Dinosaur January Newsletter.  Safari Ltd have introduced thirteen new models into the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range for 2018, but just for good measure, Everything Dinosaur has added the Przewalski’s horse replica as well.  After all, models of this relic from the last Ice Age are few and far between and the Safari Ltd “Winner’s Circle” figure is a particularly good example.

To view the range of Wild Safari Prehistoric World models available from Everything Dinosaur: Safari Ltd, Wild Safari Prehistoric World.

New for 2018 Prehistoric Animal Figures (Schleich and Safari Ltd)

Prehistoric animal models (new for 2018).
New Wild Safari Prehistoric World and Schleich figures (2018). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The first of the Schleich 2018 prehistoric animal figures are also featured in this section of our newsletter.  Just like the models opposite them, they have all been beautifully painted and prices at Everything Dinosaur start at just £5.99 plus P&P.   The Schleich Psittacosaurus, Dinogorgon and the lithe Tawa are already proving to be very popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors.

To view the new for 2018 Schleich figures including the very latest models: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models.

Elephants, Tullimontrum and Prehistoric Animal Additions

Animals with a proboscis are also featured in our latest newsletter.  One of these is familiar, the other, is one of the most bizarre animals known to science.  As well as bringing in the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range, Everything Dinosaur has also been able to stock a small number of the PNSO Family Zoo figures, including the White Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus and the amazing African Elephant figure (illustrated below).  PNSO stands for the Peking Natural Sciences Organisation and their brief is not limited to extinct creatures, they have produced some wonderful models of animals living today.  However, just like the figures themselves, the animals the models represent are also rare.

The PNSO Family Zoo African Elephant Figure and the Paleo-Creatures Tullimonstrum

Featured replicas in the January 2018 mailshot.
Paleo-creatures Tullimonstrum and the PNSO Family Zoo African Elephant model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the huge range of models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Paleo-Creatures Tully Monster (Tullimonstrum)

January’s newsletter also featured an update on the Paleo-Creatures Tully Monster figure.  Some more of these hand-crafted replicas have arrived back in stock, replicas of one of the most unusual animals to have ever existed on planet Earth.  Known from one location, the Mazon Creek fossil beds of Illinois, this marine creature looks like an alien with its long proboscis ending in a mouth and eyes on horizontally positioned stalks, even the taphonomy of this Lagerstätte is poorly understood.  Scientists debate whether T. gregarium was a vertebrate or an invertebrate, the taxonomic classification of this little creature that lived in around 300 million years ago, remains controversial.

To request a subscription to Everything Dinosaur’s regular newsletter, simply drop us an email: Email Everything Dinosaur.

20 01, 2018

School Prepares for Dinosaur Workshops

By |2023-08-30T14:58:07+01:00January 20th, 2018|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Hanging Heaton Primary Prepares for Dinosaur Term Topic

Pupils and staff at Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School (near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire), have been busy preparing their classrooms for the start of the special Spring Term topic – dinosaurs.  Children in class 1 and class 2, comprising the Reception and Key Stage 1 cohorts at the school, will be learning all about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals for the rest of this term.  To help kick-start the topic, Everything Dinosaur was invited into the school to provide a provocation in the form of a dinosaur workshop to help enthuse the children.

Class 1 (Reception and Year 1) Have Prepared a Palaeontology Lab Display

The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology lab.
The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology laboratory.

Picture credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School/Everything Dinosaur

Tidy and Spacious Classrooms Ready for Dinosaurs

Our dinosaur expert had the opportunity to see the classrooms prior to starting the morning of dinosaur and fossil themed workshops.  The classrooms were tidy and spacious and the dedicated teachers, with the support of the learning support assistants had prepared a number of display boards to showcase the children’s work as they study dinosaurs.  The children in the mixed class of Reception and Year 1 are going to have a palaeontology laboratory in the corner of their classroom.  Perhaps, some of the extension activities we proposed, such as creating a prehistoric animal might end up being put up on the display board.

Class 2 (A Mixed Year 1 and Year 2 Class) Ready for the Dinosaurs Term Topic

A Key Stage 1 term topic display board - Dinosaurs!
Year 1/2 classroom ready for the dinosaurs term topic.

Picture Credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School/Everything Dinosaur

For further information about Everything Dinosaur’s work: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

Questions About Dinosaurs

The children demonstrated some amazing pre-knowledge, confidently talking about the largest dinosaurs and explaining the differences between meat-eaters and plant-eaters.  They also asked lots of questions about different types of prehistoric animals.  One little boy (George), wanted to know what sort of dinosaurs hunted Styracosaurus.  Our dinosaur expert was able to explain that when Styracosaurus (a horned dinosaur), roamed North America in the Late Cretaceous, there were several types of tyrannosaur and other predators that might have considered this very spiky reptile as dinner.

A Drawing of the Horned Dinosaur Styracosaurus (S.albertensis)

Styracosaurus illustrated.
A drawing of the horned dinosaur Styracosaurus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a Styracosaurus illustration. This drawing is based on the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus figure.

To view this model range: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

Additional Resources and Activities

Prior to the two workshops, our dinosaur expert had a short meeting with the teaching lead for the term topic to ensure that learning objectives would be incorporated into the sessions.  In addition, the Everything Dinosaur team member was able to provide a number of additional teaching resources to support the school’s scheme of work, including a dinosaur footprint measuring exercise, a motor skills test linked to writing for the Reception children and a dinosaur themed geography exercise to help the Key Stage 1 children learn about the continents.

We look forward to seeing pictures of the classroom display boards filled up with examples of the children’s dinosaur and fossil themed learning.

Visit Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

19 01, 2018

Reception and Key Stage 1 Study Dinosaurs

By |2023-08-30T14:23:58+01:00January 19th, 2018|General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Reception and Key Stage 1 Study Dinosaurs

Reception and Key Stage 1 Study Dinosaurs

Children at Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School (West Yorkshire), had an exciting and very special Friday morning.  Class 1 and Class 2 are starting a topic all about dinosaurs, fossils and life in the past and to help start the term topic, Everything Dinosaur was invited into the school to deliver two dinosaur and fossil themed workshops.  An early morning start, to avoid the worst of the weather and traffic, permitted the Everything Dinosaur team member the chance to admire the tidy classrooms with their display boards ready to be adorned with various prehistoric animal facts, examples of writing and dinosaur inspired artwork.

Class 1 (Reception and Year 1) Have a Palaeontology Lab!

The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology lab.
The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology laboratory.

Picture credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) J & I School/Everything Dinosaur

Spacious and Tidy Classrooms

The spacious and well-appointed classrooms have lots of display boards, so that the children’s topic work can be highlighted.  Class 1, which consists of a mixed group of Reception and Year 1 children even have a part of the large classroom designated as a palaeontology lab, just the place to showcase all their dinosaur discoveries.

A Display Board in Class 2 Ready for Dinosaur Facts and Figures

A Key Stage 1 dinosaurs term topic display board - Dinosaurs!
Year 1/2 classroom ready for the dinosaurs term topic.

Picture credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) J & I School/Everything Dinosaur

Class 2 have a display board all ready to post up their dinosaur themed work.  The inflatable pterosaur makes a lovely addition, perhaps the children will learn about flying reptiles as part of their studies.  Prior to the two workshops, our dinosaur and fossil expert briefed the enthusiastic teaching team on how to maximise the learning from the sessions.  In addition, a number of extension resources were provided.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Over the course of the morning, there were lots of opportunities for the teaching team and the learning support assistants to take plenty of photographs, all very useful when it comes to recalling and recounting activities.

Once back in the office, the dinosaur expert sent over some additional teaching resources to help support the two classes with the scheme of work.  A challenge for the children was could they design their own dinosaur?  We look forward to seeing the results.

For further information on Everything Dinosaur’s work in schools: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

19 01, 2018

Safari 2018 Collectors Booklet in Stock

By |2023-08-30T14:16:32+01:00January 19th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur Stocks the New for 2018 Safari Ltd Booklet

Everything Dinosaur stocks a range of collector booklets and recently the new for 2018 Safari Ltd collectors booklet has arrived.  This handy guide enables dinosaur model fans to see the full range of the prehistoric animal models that are currently produced by Safari Ltd, the majority of which are within the “Wild Safari Prehistoric World” portfolio.

The Safari Ltd Collectors Booklet

Available from Everything Dinosaur

Safari Ltd collectors booklet (2018)
Safari Ltd 2018 booklet.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The 2018 Safari Ltd collectors booklet is now available from Everything Dinosaur.  This handy guide to the Safari model range including the “Wild Safari Prehistoric World” series can be requested from us, or simply when placing an order, add a booklet to your shopping cart, it is free, only the subsidised postage to pay if it is ordered separately.

To view the prehistoric animal figures and dinosaur models from Safari Ltd at Everything Dinosaur: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models.

New for 2018 Prehistoric Animal Models

Safari Ltd have something like 850 figures and sets within their huge range.  This year, they have added a whopping fourteen new sculpts of prehistoric animals for dinosaur and model fans to collect.  This total does include the Przewalski’s horse figure and the beautiful model of the Permian predator Dimetrodon (sail-backed reptile).

Lots of New Models Added to the Range in 2018

New from Safari Ltd (2018).
New figures from Safari Ltd for 2018 (prehistoric animals). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Replacing the Carnegie Collectables Series

With the retirement of the Carnegie  Collectables series of scale models, Safari Ltd have set about replacing some of these figures with new models, hence the introduction of a new Triceratops and Ankylosaurus, for example.  It is great to see such a wide range of new for 2018 model introductions.  The new figures (illustrated above), include both prehistoric mammals as well as dinosaurs and a substantial temporal range is represented.   All credit to Safari Ltd for making models of some lesser known dinosaurs such as Malawisaurus (M. dixeyi).  This sauropod heralds from the Sitwe Valley region of northern Malawi and it was first described ninety years ago by the English-born, South African palaeontologist Sidney Henry Haughton.

The New for 2018 Wild Safari Prehistoric World Malawisaurus Dinosaur Model

Malawisaurus dinosaur model.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Malawisaurus dinosaur model from Safari Ltd.

A Personal Favourite

We received an email from a collector last week that asked which of the new Safari Ltd models was our personal favourite?  It is quite hard to pick a single figure from such an excellent range, however, after a discussion, we agreed that the Macrauchenia replica with its beautiful colour scheme and attention to detail was probably our current favourite.  Which of these new models from Safari Ltd is your favourite?

Model collectors and fans of the Safari Ltd product range can peruse at their leisure all the new additions as well as viewing their favourites in the pocket-sized 2018 Safari Ltd collectors booklet.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

18 01, 2018

Praising Papo Pachyrhinosaurus

By |2023-08-30T08:30:40+01:00January 18th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

In Praise of the Papo Pachyrhinosaurus Dinosaur Model

It was sad to hear that the excellent Papo Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model was being retired by the French model and figure manufacturer.  This horned dinosaur replica is now out of production and dinosaur fans and collectors will find the Pachyrhinosaurus more and more difficult to find in the future.  Fortunately, Everything Dinosaur was able to acquire some of the models from the last ever production run and this beautifully sculpted model of a Late Cretaceous herbivorous dinosaur is still available from the UK-based dinosaur company.  Everything Dinosaur were able to assist a dinosaur model collector to choose a Papo Pachyrhinosaurus to add to their model collection.

Papo Dinosaur Models

We were asked to take some pictures for a discerning Papo collector so that they could select a replica for us to send to them.  Not a problem, one of our team members was happy to personally select a couple of models and to email some photographs so the collector could choose which Pachyrhinosaurus they wanted.

A Pair of Picturesque Papo Pachyrhinosaurus Models

Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model (Papo).
Papo Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To assist the model collector with their choice, each of the images was labelled so that the two models could be distinguished from each other.  In the picture above, it looks like the two dinosaurs are about to challenge each other to a fight.  Scientists believe that horned dinosaurs may have used their huge neck frills and horns to display to one another, they may also have indulged in shoving and butting matches, to win mates or perhaps to decide social hierarchy within the herd.

A Close-up View of the Beautiful Head and Neck Frill of the Papo Pachyrhinosaurus Dinosaur Model

Papo Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model.
The Papo Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model was retired in 2017. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Wonderfully Detailed Dinosaur Model

The Papo Pachyrhinosaurus is a wonderfully detailed dinosaur model, the picture above shows a close-up view of the neck frill and the skull.  These really are beautiful and very detailed models.

To view the range of Papo prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Papo Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Model Collector Chose Pachyrhinosaurus Number 1

Papo Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model.
A Papo horned dinosaur model (Pachyrhinosaurus). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

It was a difficult decision, but in the end the dinosaur model collector decided on model number 1.  This has been set aside and is ready to go out with some other prehistoric animal figures that the collector had ordered.  Good job the collector was able to get themselves a Papo Pachyrhinosaurus to add to their collection, after all, this figure is rapidly becoming rare and, just like Pachyrhinosaurus, this model is soon going to be extinct.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

17 01, 2018

More PNSO Prehistoric Animals Coming into Stock

By |2023-08-30T08:23:29+01:00January 17th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

PNSO Shipment Expected at Everything Dinosaur

Staff at Everything Dinosaur are expecting a shipment of PNSO prehistoric animal models to arrive very soon at the company’s warehouse.  These rare and difficult to obtain replicas and figures will soon be back in stock at Everything Dinosaur.  The shipment will include PNSO Age of Dinosaurs models such as Shantungosaurus, Megalodon and Huanghetitan.   In addition, the company is expecting to receive a number of large PNSO Family Zoo figures including the spectacular African Elephant replica and the White Rhinoceros figure.

Rare PNSO Models Coming Back into Stock at Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Triceratops box art.
PNSO box art- Triceratops.  Coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To read a review of the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Triceratops: A Review of the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Triceratops Model.

Collectable, Rare PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models

Many of the models are huge, such as the enormous Basilosaurus prehistoric whale figure, look out also for dinosaurs such as Mandschurosaurus, Euhelopus and the massive Chungkingosaurus coming back into stock.  For the PNSO Family Zoo range, we are delighted to welcome back the PNSO Family Zoo White Rhinoceros model.

PNSO Family Zoo Chungkingosaurus is Coming Back into Stock at Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Chungkingosaurus dinosaur replica.
PNSO Chungkingosaurus dinosaur model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture above shows the PNSO Chungkingosaurus replica, which measures fifty-two centimetres long and the head stands nearly twenty centimetres off the ground.

The PNSO Family Zoo White Rhinoceros Figure

PNSO Family Zoo White Rhinoceros.
The PNSO White Rhinoceros model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the current range of PNSO dinosaur and prehistoric animal figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Figures.

The PNSO Family Zoo range of models consists of twenty animal models, representing living animals, including creatures as diverse as lions, crocodiles, pigs, goats, horses and cheetahs.  Each model is beautifully, hand-painted and supplied in its own blister pack.

For further information about the ranges offered by Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

The PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Basilosaurus Figure

PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Basilosaurus replica.
The PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Basilosaurus model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Not Just Dinosaurs – Prehistoric Mammals and Sharks Too

Although the range is entitled “PNSO Age of Dinosaurs”, there are also two extinct animals featured which are not dinosaurs, in fact both these animals evolved long after the non-avian dinosaurs became extinct.  Firstly, there is the amazing Basilosaurus replica, a model of a prehistoric whale that is coming into stock.  Joining the PNSO Basilosaurus will be the ultra-rare and very difficult to obtain PNSO Megalodon model, which is now out of production.  The future of the entire PNSO model and replica range is in doubt, whether or not Everything Dinosaur will be able to get any more figures is debatable, so we urge all collectors and model fans to grab these when they arrive.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The PNSO models  have been very difficult to obtain and we know that the whole future of the product line is in doubt.  The Megalodon model is already out of production but we are bringing the very last of these figures with our next shipment.  Everything Dinosaur remains committed to helping dinosaur fans and collectors with their prehistoric animal and figure collections.”

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

16 01, 2018

Dinosaurs a Roaring Success at Barford Primary School

By |2023-08-30T08:25:16+01:00January 16th, 2018|General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Dinosaurs a Roaring Success at Barford Primary School

Year 1 Pupils Study Dinosaurs at Barford Primary School

Children in Year 1 classes (1G and 1L) at Barford Primary (Ladywood, Birmingham), are spending part of the spring term learning all about dinosaurs, fossils and life in the past.  The enthusiastic teaching team have put together a diverse and challenging scheme of work and they have lots of exciting activities planned for the budding dinosaur experts in Key Stage 1.

Dinosaurs a Roaring Success

The well-maintained school buildings are adorned with amazing artwork, posters and display boards that showcase the children’s talents as well as providing inspiration and celebrating the rich culture and diversity of the local community.

In the small hall, in which Everything Dinosaur conducted their dinosaur themed workshops with the two classes, there stands a pair of prehistoric animal sculptures.  On one side of the hall is a colourful Tyrannosaurus rex and by the opposite wall a Stegosaurus can be seen.

The Beautiful Sculpture of a T. rex at Barford Primary School

Beautiful dinosaur models. A model of T. rex.

The Barford T. rex dinosaur model.

Picture credit: Barford Primary/Everything Dinosaur

For models and replicas of T. rex and other prehistoric animals: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Inspiring Artwork and Inspirational People

The culture of the local community is celebrated throughout the school with many inspirational figures depicted on the walls of the corridors linking the classrooms, famous figures from history such as Mary Seacole, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.  The Tyrannosaurus rex and the Stegosaurus sculptures are not the only animals in the school, there are several beautiful penguins and even a statue of a large deer, all helping to motivate the children.

The Stegosaurus Sculpture on Display at Barford Primary School

Beautiful model dinosaurs. A colourful Stegosaurus model.

A colourful Stegosaurus model.

Picture credit: Barford Primary/Everything Dinosaur

According to the last Ofsted inspection letter, more than half of the pupils at the school speak English as an additional language.  However, the teaching team with the support of the senior management, have devised effective policies to support these children.

Dinosaurs as a Term Topic

Dinosaurs as a term topic lends itself to all sorts of different learning, we are looking forward to seeing some of the children’s creations inspired by our design a dinosaur extension activity.   At the end of the topic, parents and guardians will be invited in to see some of the pupil’s work.  These events are very popular with the “grown-ups” eager to see what their charges have been up to.  Mary Anning will feature prominently in the term topic and we provided additional teaching resources including a “sea shells tongue twister” for the children to try.   Can they create their own poems about dinosaurs?

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

16 01, 2018

A New Fast Running Ornithopod from Down Under

By |2023-08-30T08:15:59+01:00January 16th, 2018|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Diluvicursor pickeringi – Turkey to Rhea-sized Herbivore from the Early Cretaceous

Analysis of the fossilised remains of a little ornithopod have led to the establishment of a new species of dinosaur, one that roamed the Australian-Antarctic rift valley approximately 113 million years ago.  Described from an almost complete tail and a partial right hind limb including foot bones, the dinosaur has been named Diluvicursor pickeringi (pronounced di-loovy-cursor pickering-i).

The species name honours David Pickering, (formerly Museums Victoria’s Vertebrate Palaeontology Collections Manager), a scientist who played a key role in the study of Early Cretaceous vertebrate fossils from the Otway and Gippsland Basins of the Australian State of Victoria.  David sadly passed away following complications after a serious car accident whilst the fossil material was being prepared and studied.

An Illustration of a Pair of Diluvicursor pickeringi Feeding Near a Fast-flowing River

Diluvicursor pickeringi illustrated.
A pair of Diluvicursor dinosaurs feeding next to a fast running river in the Antarctica/Australia rift valley 113 million years ago.

Picture credit: P. Trusler

A Fossil Discovery in 2005

The fossils of this dinosaur described as being about the size of a turkey or a rhea (estimated maximum total body length, including tail at around 2.3 metres), were found on five slabs of rock that form part of a deposit representing a log jam event created in a high-energy (fast-flowing) river.  Writing in the academic journal “Peer J”, the authors of the scientific paper state that this newly described herbivorous dinosaur will help to shed new light on the phylogenetic relationships and the diversity of Ornithopoda of the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr Matt Herne (University of Queensland) and the corresponding author for the paper explained the significance of the fossils, which were excavated from a sea platform near Cape Otway.

He stated:

“Diluvicursor shows for the first time that there were at least two distinct body-types among closely related ornithopods , small, two-legged plant-eating dinosaurs in this part of Australia.  One called Leaellynasaura was lightly built with an extraordinarily long tail, while the other, Diluvicursor, was more solidly built, with a far shorter tail.”

The Holotype Fossil Material of Diluvicursor pickeringi

The holotype of Diluvicursor and a schematic drawing
The five blocks (B1 to B5) of the holotype fossil of Diluvicursor (NMV P221080) note scale bar 10 cm. A schematic diagram of the fossil material is shown below (scale bar 10 cm).

Picture credit: Peer J

A Fast Running Dinosaur

Analysis of the leg bones suggest that Diluvicursor was a fast running dinosaur.  The corpse of this dinosaur, representing a juvenile animal, came to rest mixed up with other debris deposited by a fast-flowing river.  The genus name reflects these two conclusions, Diluvicursor translates as “flood runner”.

The Proposed Body Shape of Diluvicursor with the Known Fossil Bones in Skeletal Position

Diluvicursor illustration showing known bones (scale bar = 10 cm).
Diluvicursor schematic restoration in left lateral view, showing preserved bones (light shading) and incomplete caudal vertebrae (outlined).

Picture credit: Peer J

Volunteer prospector George Caspar discovered the fossil material in 2005 whilst exploring a coastal shore platform which forms part of the Eumeralla Formation of south-eastern Australia.   It is likely the carcass became trapped and buried along with flood-transported tree stumps, logs and branches in deep scours at the base of what was once a powerful river.

Dr Herne added:

“The Diluvicursor skeleton was discovered in 2005, but it’s taken this long to fully understand the geology of the area where it was found, and also Diluvicursor’s relationships.  Much of the fossil vertebrate material from this site has yet to be described, so we hope to discover further dinosaur species, specimens and other exciting animals there.”

Diluvicursor pickeringi with an Injured Foot

A close examination of the right foot of the Diluvicursor specimen suggest that this dinosaur may have injured its foot some time before it perished.  Some of the bones are not aligned correctly and although this could be as a result of taphonomy, preserved roughened bone surfaces, suggest some form of trauma or disease.  The scientists conclude that the affected joint in the foot could have been immobilised.  The researchers are hopeful that further examination including a scan of the foot using synchrotron radiation X-rays will produce more data.

The Pathology on the Right Foot of the Diluvicursor Specimen

Diluvicursor pathology of the right foot.
A close up view of the second toe. Dotted line in B indicates rugose bone on the proximal margin of pedal digit IV-1. Dashed arrows in A–B indicate areas of osteophytosis (bone spurs around the damaged joint).

Picture credit: Peer J

There are plans to display the post cranial fossil material at Melbourne Museum and the aim is to build up a much more complete picture of the palaeoenvironment of this part of Gondwana during the Albian faunal stage of the Cretaceous.  Other scientists involved in this study include Dr Steven Salisbury, PhD student Jay Nair and Dr Vera Weisbecker (University of Queensland), along with colleagues from Monash University.

The scientific paper: “A New Small-bodied Ornithopod (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from a Deep, High-energy Early Cretaceous River of the Australian–Antarctic Rift System” by Matthew C. Herne​, Alan M. Tait, Vera Weisbecker, Michael Hall, Jay P. Nair, Michael Cleeland and Steven W. Salisbury published in Peer J.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the help of the University of Queensland in the compilation of this article.

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