Spinosaurus (Wild Safari by Safari ltd. – 2021 ver)

Given how unstable our scientific understanding is regarding this giant theropod, perhaps it’s understandable Safari would want to offer another option to reflect the creature’s ever-changing image. How well, then, does this new model hold up as an up-to-date iteration?

2021 was an understandably odd year for many, following the tumultuous events of the year 2020, and merchandise companies were no exception. While they successfully released a variety of figures at the start of 2020 before events went south, 2021 ended up being a smaller-scale release schedule for Safari ltd.’s Prehistoric World line, with just three new figures added to their roster. Two of these figures – Baryonyx and Daspletosaurus – were welcome and even anticipated new editions to Safari’s contemporary line of models. The third figure, Spinosaurus, was a little more of a surprise; Safari had already released a new Spinosaurus just a couple of years prior.

If you’re used to big Spinosaurus toys, the Safari 2021 model might come as a shock when held in-hand: this diminutive figure measures just under 24 cm (9.5 in) long, stretched head to tail, placing the figure at about 1:42 scale for the estimated size of the holotype and neotype specimens, or about 1:54 scale for a large 13-meter individual. The feel of the toy might seem a little odd to more seasoned collectors of the line; the plastic is harder and possibly more brittle in nature than usual. Safari ltd. has taken to producing their figures without phthalates, which are often used as plasticizers (softening agents) to increase durability in products like toys, but which have shown to be toxic, especially for children. However, the company uses a few different materials for their individual products, and in the case of Spinosaurus, the resulting figure feels noticeably more fragile than its contemporaries. While it’s great to see Safari ltd remaining conscious and concerned for the safety of their customers, hopefully they can find more consistent ways to reinforce their toys, to avoid potential breakage. 

Anatomically, the model is designed closely to match the measurements of known fossil remains. The skull bears all the distinctive features of a Spinosaurus, from the little nasal crest to the pronounced premaxilla notch and bulged lower jaw tip; oddly for a Safari model, though, the skull appears a little shrinkwrapped, with visible postorbital and antorbital fenestrae. The neck is appropriately long (oddly so for most other theropods, but this is Spinosaurus we’re talking about), held in a familiar theropod S-curve. The torso and arms are long, while the legs are short – barely longer than combined forelimbs and shoulder blades. The sail is reconstructed in the popular “M” shape. Most importantly, the tail of the figure reflects the published 2020 findings, boasting a tall fin running the full length of the tail, plus deeper dimensions, underneath.

Not every detail is so precise, however. One of the best-known elements of Spinosaurus since the 2014 publications have been the animal’s feet, which were proportionately very small, and sported four flat and spread toes (speculated to have been webbed). Although the Safari model has the size and number of toes correct, the toes aren’t sculpted finely enough to convey how unusual their shape was for theropod feet; nor is any webbing clearly depicted. Another issue present is in body mass: apart from a slightly more robust ribcage, the overall model appears very sleek. While we don’t know for certain yet how bulky of a creature Spinosaurus might have really been, we do at least have evidence suggesting that the newly-described tail was quite muscular, especially near the base. Theropods in general are believed to have powerful, muscular tails, to aid in balance and in running (or perhaps swimming, in Spinosaurus’s case). The Safari figure, in contrast, depicts a uniformly narrow tail, falling victim to old stereotypes of skinny proportions in theropod art.

More speculative in nature, several rows of large osteoderm-like scales/armor run the length of the model’s body in a fashion similar to some manner of a Crocodyliform (or, maybe, a primitive Thyreophoran? I’m personally getting a strong Scelidosaurus impression from the model, oddly enough). It’s become quite the cliché to model Spinosaurus after crocodiles, due to superficial similarities in anatomy and (possibly) lifestyle; however no fossil evidence of crocodile-like integument has been discovered yet, so the inclusion of such armor is still artistic license. Also speculative is the animal’s gait: Safari’s model is posed ambiguously horizontal in what looks like a cheated bipedal stance, with the forelimbs hanging down for the model’s support. While this could be assumed as a “safe” option for posing the figure, a more distinct choice of stance might have helped this figure stand out from the crowd a little more; for example, a more upright-angled stance (as suggested by Andrea Cau in 2015) would be a very unique choice for a Spinosaurus toy.

Coloration is one of the figure’s strongest features: aqua-blue striped patterns run along the full length of the body, with white patches/bands on the sail and tail fin. The main body is a sandy brown primary wash, gradating into a white underbelly. Additional blue washes are applied to the lower limbs. Although blues are entirely speculative for (non-avian) dinosaur coloration, it’s a welcome change from Safari’s more routine choices from the red-yellow range, and is applied here in a manner that seems natural and reasonable. One might imagine the real-life predator swimming along the riverways, just below the surface – the silhouette of its huge body breaking apart as the stripes meld with refracting sunlight. 

Safari ltd.’s 2021 Spinosaurus is a fairly good model figure overall; it just lacks the size and stature to properly stand out from the crowd of imposing spinosaur figures already dominating the market. For its size and price, however, this is one of the most up-to-date renditions of the strange theropod on the market, and should prove satisfactory for kids as well as collectors looking to save a little space. Just remember to play nicely with it; I’m still wary of the plastic quality.