Everything Dinosaur has received 300 5-star Google reviews. Every Google reviewer to date has awarded the UK-based mail order company top marks. Earlier today, the company’s 300th Google review was posted up. Team members expressed their gratitude and stated that they were humbled by all the kind comments they had received.
The Everything Dinosaur website has thousands of customer reviews on it. In addition, the company has been working with Feefo for many years, gathering customer feedback and comments. It is estimated that Everything Dinosaur has received over 3,500 Feefo reviews.
The company was recently awarded Feefo’s highest accolade – the Platinum Trusted Service Award.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“Our thanks to all the wonderful people that have provided feedback. We read every single one and we respond to all those that require a reply. What with the website, Feefo and Google we have received thousands of 5-star reviews from customers.”
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Whether it is prehistoric animal figures, clothing or dinosaur soft toys, Everything Dinosaur has got it covered. The feedback from customers demonstrates the team’s commitment to service.
The new Schleich Stegosaurus (2024) dinosaur model is coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur. Team members took the opportunity to photograph this new Schleich figure at the Spielwarenmesse.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Schleich Stegosaurus (2024)
Schleich have chosen to give their new ornithischian figure an extremely scaly skin. Schleich prehistoric animal models are known for their tactile qualities. The design team have worked hard on creating the model’s texture. The elaborate, multi-layered plates on the back of the model are intriguing. However, we don’t think these plates are scientifically accurate.
Schleich have produced several versions of Stegosaurus over the years. This armoured dinosaur is extremely popular with children. It regularly appears in the top five of our surveys examining the popularity of prehistoric animals.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We are looking forward to receiving the new Schleich Stegosaurus. It will be stock at Everything Dinosaur very soon. The Stegosaurus joins the new for 2024 Schleich figures that are already in our warehouse. We expect the new colour version of the Schleich Brachiosaurus, the red Brachiosaurus model will arrive at the same time as the Schleich Stegosaurus.”
The Schleich Stegosaurus (2024) figure measures twenty centimetres in length. Those elaborate hip plates are around ten centimetres off the ground. This figure along with the Schleich red Brachiosaurus model will be in stock soon.
Everything Dinosaur has received some new images of Mojo Fun prehistoric animal models. One of our favourites highlights the recently introduced Mojo Fun Woolly Rhinoceros. This replica of Coelodonta antiquitatis was introduced in 2023. The model has proved to be extremely popular with prehistoric animal model collectors.
This Woolly Rhino model measures approximately 18 cm in length. Everything Dinosaur team members estimate its head height is around 7 cm. It is a stunning figure of a prehistoric mammal.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised Mojo Fun for their excellent Woolly Rhino image and added:
“The Woolly Rhino is synonymous with the Ice Age. However, these magnificent animals were geographically widespread during the Pleistocene Epoch and thrived in grassland habitats.”
Yesterday, Everything Dinosaur team members posted up an article that provided information on the evolutionary history of burrowing vertebrates. The first vertebrates to dig burrows were probably lungfish. These animals were similar to extant lungfish, animals such as Neoceratodus forsteri, the Australian lungfish. This taxon is also referred to as the Queensland lungfish.
Ironically, it is thought that this species of lungfish does not enter a dormant state (aestivation), by producing a mucous cocoon and burying itself in mud. Neoceratodus forsteri inhabits slow-moving rivers and reservoirs, primarily in south-eastern Queensland. In contrast, the African genus Protopterus does dig burrows. Protopterus is distantly related to the Australian lungfish. During the dry season when lakes tend to dry up, this fish excavates a burrow and buries itself in the mud. It enters a state of dormancy (aestivation), enabling it to survive whilst it waits for the water to return. During aestivation Protopterus is able to reduce its metabolism to 1/60th of its active state.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A team of researchers, including scientists from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin examined the origins and early evolution of vertebrate burrowing behaviour. Their paper was published in Earth-Science Reviews.
The scientific paper comprises a short overview of convergent morphological and behavioural adaptations seen in modern fossorial taxa. The researchers also document the diversity of extant vertebrate burrows. In addition, the team reviews the fossil record of inferred vertebrate burrows and fossorial vertebrates from the Devonian to the Triassic. Results highlight a probable Devonian earliest occurrence of fossoriality in continental vertebrates (Dipnoi – lungfishes).
The earliest lungfish taxa were mostly marine animals. However, after the Carboniferous, lung fish fossils are confined to deposits laid down in freshwater environments.
The Australian lungfish specimen at the London Natural History Museum is displayed next to a model of a Protopterus burrow. This can confuse visitors, it was stated earlier in this article that not all lungfish exhibit this burrowing behaviour.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor dinosaur model is now in stock. This extremely colourful and detailed dromaeosaur model is available from Everything Dinosaur. Team members got the opportunity to photograph the figure whilst visiting a trade show in Europe.
This hand-painted Utahraptor replica measures twenty-three centimetres in length. It stands around eleven and a half centimetres tall. It is an extremely colourful dinosaur model. The vivid blue colouration reminds us of a budgerigar. Dromaeosaurids like Utahraptor are, after all, distantly related to modern birds. The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor dinosaur model is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Utahraptor fact sheet.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur welcomed the arrival of the Utahraptor dinosaur model. Other new figures from Safari Ltd will be available later in the year.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the extensive range of prehistoric animal figures and dinosaur toys available from Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.
Eurypterids (Eurypterida) are often referred to as sea scorpions. Like scorpions these extinct invertebrates are members of the Arthropoda Phylum. They are distantly related to extant scorpions and spiders. It is thought that the first eurypterids evolved during the Ordovician. They thrived in the Silurian and Devonian. Giant forms evolved, animals like Jaekeklopterus, Acutiramus and Pterygotus. However, the number of taxa was severely depleted during the end-Devonian extinction event and although they survived for at least another 100 million years or so, during the Carboniferous and Permian they only made up a very small percentage of the taxa described from fossil deposits.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows two Pterygotus anglicus fossil specimens on display at the London Natural History Museum. These Early Devonian fossils come from Arbroath (Scotland).
The Shape of the Telson
Note the broad, flattened, blade-like final segment of the animal. This is the telson and in the Pterygotioidea lineage (as well as in some other Superfamilies), the telson evolved into an organ to help with propulsion and steering. In other eurypterids, the telson is shaped very differently. For example, in the sea scorpion fossil (below), the telson is long and pointed.
The Giant Claws (Chelicerae) Seen in Some Sea Scorpion Fossils
The segmented body of eurypterids consisted of the frontal prosoma (head) and the posterior opisthosoma (abdomen). The prosoma contained the mouth and six pairs of appendages which are usually referred to as appendage pairs I to VI using Roman numerals. The segments that make up the opisthosoma are usually numbered using Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3 etc. The opisthosoma comprised twelve segments in total plus the telson.
The first pair of appendages, the only pair located in front of the mouth opening, is called the chelicerae (pronounced kel-iss-ser-ray). This pair of appendages evolved into a myriad of forms in the Chelicerata (pronounced kel-iss-ser-rat-ah), the Subphylum containing the eurypterids, spiders, mites, scorpions and horseshoe crabs. This pair of appendages form the fangs seen in spiders and form the feeding limbs of horseshoe crabs.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Powerful Pincers Adapted for Grasping Prey
Some of these appendages, such as the chelicerae of giant pterygotids evolved into powerful pincers armed with strong claws analogous to those seen in crabs and lobsters. These chelicerae seem to be adapted for grasping and subduing prey. This suggests that many eurypterids were predatory.
Note
A single appendage is referred to as a chelicera (pronounced kel-iss-ser-rah). Whereas a pair or more are referred to as chelicerae (kel-iss-ser-ray).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that these arthropods were remarkable animals.
“Some 250 different taxa have been described and some of these sea scorpions show adaptations that indicate they may have been partially terrestrial. Venturing out onto land is supported by trace fossils potentially preserving tracks of eurypterids walking across mud close to bodies of water.”
In 2020, CollectA introduced a Horseshoe crab model. These animals are members of the Limulidae family. This model of an ancient invertebrate is extremely detailed. The Horseshoe crab lineage has a fossil record that dates back to the Ordovician. Team members were asked to take some photographs of the figure for a palaeontology related project.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The CollectA Horseshoe Crab Model
The model is very detailed, and the paint scheme makes this replica look extremely realistic. However, it is on the underside where the care and dedication of the design team really shows.
The small chelicerae (modified claws) are bent towards the mouth. These appendages pass food into the mouth. The walking legs show the bifurcated end segments, and the rear “pusher” leg is clearly visible. The design team have included a vent at the base of the long, pointed telson.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows an Atlantic Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) in ventral view. It is on display at the London Natural History Museum.
In horseshoe crabs, the head and thorax are fused. This structure is called the prosoma. It is also sometimes referred to as the cephalothorax. The cephalothorax is covered in a hard, protective carapace.
Our thanks to Mojo Fun for sending Everything Dinosaur some new images of the Mojo Fun prehistoric life dinosaur models. The images we received includes a clever illustration of a Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex model.
We think this T. rex dinosaur model was introduced into the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct range in 2020. It has certainly proved to be popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors. The manufacturer has paid tribute to dinosaurs in films by mimicking a famous scene from the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” franchise.
Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex
The Mojo Fun T. rex figure is escaping from captivity. The image parodies scenes from the famous Universal Studio’s film franchise.
The Mojo Fun Tyrannosaurus rex Deluxe figure measures around 30 cm in length. Team members at Everything Dinosaur estimate its head height to be approximately 11 cm.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Every dinosaur fan will get the connection between the Mojo Fun T. rex image and the movies. There are rumours circulating that a new film in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” franchise will be released in 2025. Mojo Fun’s timing of the release of this new image is apposite.”
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.
Everything Dinosaur team members had the opportunity to view the five new Mojo Fun repaints for 2024 at the recent Spielwarenmesse trade fair in Germany. The repainted dinosaur models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur soon. The five figures include the Parasaurolophus (biped and quadruped stance), the Baryonyx, Troodon and a Stegosaurus.
Whilst there are new dinosaur models scheduled for 2025, the 2024 offering consists of five repainted figures. The Mojo Fun repaints for 2024 are listed below:
Standing Parasaurolophus.
Quadrupedal Parasaurolophus.
Stegosaurus.
Troodon with an articulated jaw.
Baryonyx with an articulated jaw.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We had the opportunity to see the new Mojo Fun repaints at the recent Spielwarenmesse in Germany. We were particularly impressed with the paint schemes. The Baryonyx and the Troodon figures are our personal favourites.”