Bicapitosaurus ivani (Unknown caster)

Review and photos by Torvosaurus, edited by Suspsy

Howdy from wonderful, windy Wyoming! Today we’ll take a (satirical) look at Bicaputosaurus ivani, sculpted by an unknown artist.

For the first time, a national big box department store steps to the front, ahead of offerings by typical dinosaur manufacturers, offering this rare dinosaur to any discriminating collector. Bicaputosaurus ivani translates to “Ivan’s two-headed terrible lizard.” It was discovered by a collector named Ivan in the Kimmeridgian deposits at Como Bluffs, Wyoming. The model is approximately 7.5 inches (19 cm) long around the curves. This puts it between 1/60 and 1/12 in scale.

The figure is a typical sauropod, with stout legs, a long tail, and a pronounced back. The dual attachment of both necks is a surprise, as most sauropods only have one. The distal body is clearly attached to the superior by a clear line, which is not normal in sauropods, but is very clear in Bicaputosaurus. The large, multi-toed feet, similar to an elephant’s, each have five toes, a derived condition for Bicaputosaurus.

It is surprising that both heads were also preserved, unusual as most sauropod skeletons are lacking a skull. One skull was arched back in a courtship pose while the other was extended forward seeking prey. Yes, prey. It seems that the sharp teeth were for eating smaller creatures. This diplodocoid would have been well defended against predators such as Allosaurus and Saurophaganax. A theory has been placed forward that Bicaputosaurus ivani may have actually stalked theropods, as smaller animals would have been inadequate for its energy needs. An occasional bite on Allosaurus bones suggests this may be the case, though the tooth marks have not been identified as belonging to Bicaputosaurus.

All in all, the figure is quite striking. It was dull in color, a single yellow color with brown highlights, but it was painted to add the gold and pinkish metallic colors.  I would recommend this figure to anyone who has an eye for the extraordinary.