Haolonggood - New for 2025

[suspsy]

The two Saurolophus species are practically indistinguishable apart from size, so you can easily interpret the toy as either or as long as you don't mind the Asian species being a youngster.

I disagree, Saurolophus is one of those rare instances where soft tissue preservation gives us a clue into how the two species differed in appearance in life. Their skulls had subtle differences too.

"Soft tissue reconstructions of Saurolophus based on preserved skin impressions. Variations in scale arrangement and patterning are used here as a basis for possible colour patterns, which are particularly evident in the caudal region. (A) Saurolophus osborni showing mottled appearance of tail integument. (B) Saurolophus angustirostris showing midline feature-scales and banded pattern on the tail. Illustration by L. Xing and Y. Liu. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031295.g013"

Colour patterns are irrelevant in this case, though, since Haolonggood probably didn't take any guidance from that study when they decided on colour schemes for their Saurolophus. As for crest differences, they're pretty darned subtle. I still say the toy will be able to pass off as either or if one chooses. But we shall see what the final product looks like.

The fact that we know (of) the color patterns is one of the more major things this genus has going for it. Why even bother making an accuraccy-aimed dinosaur model if you don't care about the dinosaur? Would you say the same thing if HLG produced a green Borealopelta, a Duonychus with three fingers, or an Ankylosaurus without osteoderms? xP

Colouration isn't in the same category as digits or osteoderms, though. Can you show that Haolongood followed the colour pattern as described in the study? Sure doesn't look like it based on the teaser.

Also, you need to keep in mind that the colour patterns aren't confirmed, only inferred.

[Flaffy]

Colour patterns are irrelevant in this case, though, since Haolonggood probably didn't take any guidance from that study when they decided on colour schemes for their Saurolophus. As for crest differences, they're pretty darned subtle. I still say the toy will be able to pass off as either or if one chooses. But we shall see what the final product looks like.

Can't ignore the integumentary differences either. Hence why I said soft tissue as a whole.

The presence of midline and flank feature scales on the mongolian species differenciates it from the canadian one.

[Gwangi]

I would prefer to have the Mongolian species so that I could pair it with my PNSO Tarbosaurus but it's not a big deal if it isn't, more than anything I just want Saurolophus. A lot of the differences between the two species would be easy for me to ignore but the midline feature scales are admittedly kind of a big deal. I would be surprised if HLG made the North American species.

These illustrations on Wikipedia illustrate the differences well.

S. angustirostris


S. osborni

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

I don't really care either as both species work fine for my purpose of using it as Augustynolophus XD

[DavidJamesArmsby]

If you look at the skin impressions that show the rectangular midline scales on S. angustirostris, they're very, very small (less than an inch tall). It's possible this model does have those back-bumps and they're being obscured by the angle of the photograph, and the horizontal bulk of the tail itself due to their tiny size.
I'd be very surprised if this figure has no bumps running down its back because ALL of Haolonggood's other hadrosaurids have midline bumps to some extent. It's their go-to aesthetic.
If this model doesn't, I think that implies an intentional and conscious decision to create S. osborni instead of S. angustirostris otherwise they'd have added bumps regardless.
Yes, it still has the S. augustirostris stripes but S. osborni was only suggested to have mottled or spotted patterns because the scales were arranged in a traditional manner, in contrast to S. angustirostris which were arranged in vertical bands. Traditionally patterned scales can still be stripey. Tons of our dino toys are stripey, with preserved skin impressions that lack vertical bands.

Perhaps I'm missing a piece of information here, but these are my thoughts on the augustirostris/osborni debate! XD

EDIT: Sorry about the double post - I hit "quote" instead of "modify" to fix a spelling mistake! XD

[DavidJamesArmsby]

.

[suspsy]

Colour patterns are irrelevant in this case, though, since Haolonggood probably didn't take any guidance from that study when they decided on colour schemes for their Saurolophus. As for crest differences, they're pretty darned subtle. I still say the toy will be able to pass off as either or if one chooses. But we shall see what the final product looks like.

Can't ignore the integumentary differences either. Hence why I said soft tissue as a whole.

The presence of midline and flank feature scales on the mongolian species differenciates it from the canadian one.

I'd be very surprised if Haolonggood's toy reflects said scales. Don't get me wrong, they've obviously established themselves as one of the top companies, but when it comes to this sort of thing, I reckon PNSO and Safari Ltd. are far more likely to be paying careful attention. Their Carnotaurus certainly didn't reflect the latest skin research.

[Elengassen]

Everyone's arguing over whether it's osborni or angustirostris, before it's even been confirmed that this is Saurolophus 

[DavidJamesArmsby]

Everyone's arguing over whether it's osborni or angustirostris, before it's even been confirmed that this is Saurolophus 

That is a very valid point! XD
Based on the 2025 teaser image, it likely is Saurolophus, but you never know.

[Turkeysaurus]

Everybody wonders osborni or angustirostris. I wonder if the price is under the custom limits.

[Trenchcoated Rebbachisaur]

I don't really care either as both species work fine for my purpose of using it as Augustynolophus XD

Augustynolophus would be a little bit of a strange choice, since I'm pretty sure it's a lone dinosaur from a marine formation, similar to Borealopelta or Scelidosaurus, and it would be a bit awkward matching it to anything. I guess the other southern Laramidian Maastrichtian animals would work well enough, though. It is p much the same size as S.osborni, so we'll have to wait for the name reveal there, I guess. Kinda see no point going for it, since it seems to just be "S.osborni but with from further south and with different bones", doesn't seem we even know the exact shape of the crest?
I guess it would allow for more artistic freedom...?

...Also wait, does the figure have Stripes after all? It definitely has them on the tail (I'm not quite that visually challenged yet), but the main body seemed to have mottling instead, and "striped tail mottled body" isn't unusual for HLG animals.
-> Double checked the teaser and it has subtle stripes on its legs, but seemingly not the neck. Which, I guess is reasonable for S.osborni, even if it doesn't match the (takes a deep breath) S.angustirostris? patterning on that image. Admittedly, I guess I do not know how much of the striping there is scientifically sourced and how much is artistic guesswork.

All signs seem to continue to point towards S.osborni and if HLG doesn't actually plan on making S.angustirostris, putting stripes into an area we don't have data to deny them for seems like a good nod towards the other species.
...Not that HLG seems to need much excuse to put random stripes on the tails of their animals.
I do hope PNSO eventually decides to make the other species. Having my "Dinosaur Park et al" dinosaurs grouped on one side of the shelf and my Nemegt Animals on the other with the two Saurolophus facing each other would definitely be a dream display for me, haha. Therizinosaurus and Deinocheirus framing one end of the shelf, and Brachylophosaurus/Edmontosaurus and a Lambeosaur (Parasaurolophus?) the other.

...Might have to limit that other side to just Horseshoe Canyon Formation animals if many more good ones get released, tho.

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

I don't really care either as both species work fine for my purpose of using it as Augustynolophus XD

Augustynolophus would be a little bit of a strange choice, since I'm pretty sure it's a lone dinosaur from a marine formation, similar to Borealopelta or Scelidosaurus, and it would be a bit awkward matching it to anything. I guess the other southern Laramidian Maastrichtian animals would work well enough, though. It is p much the same size as S.osborni, so we'll have to wait for the name reveal there, I guess. Kinda see no point going for it, since it seems to just be "S.osborni but with from further south and with different bones", doesn't seem we even know the exact shape of the crest?
I guess it would allow for more artistic freedom...?

...Also wait, does the figure have Stripes after all? It definitely has them on the tail (I'm not quite that visually challenged yet), but the main body seemed to have mottling instead, and "striped tail mottled body" isn't unusual for HLG animals.
-> Double checked the teaser and it has subtle stripes on its legs, but seemingly not the neck. Which, I guess is reasonable for S.osborni, even if it doesn't match the (takes a deep breath) S.angustirostris? patterning on that image. Admittedly, I guess I do not know how much of the striping there is scientifically sourced and how much is artistic guesswork.

The reasoning for August is simply because it's my state dinosaur lol, as for the stripes, I don't think there's any reasonable indication that either species actually had them, the orientation of the scales doesn't really correlate to patterning all that much.

[Trenchcoated Rebbachisaur]

That does make sense, considering the only other time I've ever seen August in anything was in a predatory mobile game.
It does have the distinction of being among the starter animals for the rainforest biome there, though. Which, obviously, has rather few animals that are actually known to be from rainforests (I guess August in particular could've been one? Lol); and is a weird choice considering wetlands by contrast aren't represented at all; but then again, the very first biome in that game is the Grasslands biome, featuring Gargoyleosaurus and Procompsognathus as starter animals, so, lol, lmao.

...Enough derailing, though, being a state dinosaur is definitely a unique selling point, and if Haolonggood decided to make some of  the non-tooth-taxon state dinosaurs I certainly wouldn't mind. I guess Oryctodromeus, Arkansaurus and Podokesaurus (and Anchisaurus if you want to count it) would have to be part of the 1/20 line, though.
Sonorasaurus ("Budget Brachiosaurus"), Dryptosaurus, Astrodon, Acrocanthosaurus and Utahraptor would be pretty great.
Hypsibema and Hadrosaurus are sadly perhaps less interesting (and kinda muscle in on each others vibes) but one or the other would be neat (albeit I must admit I would vastly prefer Hadrosaurus)
Sauroposeidon is a neat genus but I don't think many people would be willing to go for it instead of/after already having Brachiosaurus.

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

It does have the distinction of being among the starter animals for the rainforest biome there, though. Which, obviously, has rather few animals that are actually known to be from rainforests (I guess August in particular could've been one? Lol)

I believe it's thought that the environment August lived in would be a coastal redwood forest, but the only other terrestrial species found with it is a yet-unnamed species of Basilemys.

[Duna]

SAUROLOPHUS!! 


Posted by Elsa

[Elengassen]

Welp, it's definitely osborni.



Not what I was hoping for, but it's still good to finally get a good up-to-date Saurolophus.

[ceratopsian]

I'm immediately drawn to the dark one.

[Dusty Wren]

I'm immediately drawn to the dark one.

Yep, me too. Love that blue crest.

[Flaffy]

It's unfortunate more care was not taken to ensure the integument was consistent with known material.

Will likely be picking one up regardless. I like the darker blue version overall, but the yellow one's purple crest is quite attractive.

[Carnoking]

I don't care what they are, they're beautiful! Definitely getting both at some point