Although their figures are often confused with the famous Marx line of dinosaurs, Sinclair’s Ankylosaurs has its own share of unique features.
When we think of “retro” dinosaur depictions, many probably think first of tall theropods dragging their tails or the massive sloped shapes of lumbering sauropods.
In a last bid for survival, the smaller whale wrenches itself free from Requena’s grip and darts away, its mangled tail gushing thick clouds of red with each stroke. Requena immediately gives chase and in no time is closing in on her waning victim. Her jaws open.
Kronosaurus could easily be called the comeback kid, having the distinction of being one of the first marine reptiles to ever be featured in toy form way back in the Marx sets only to be lost to obscurity for many decades after, then just recently came roaring back into the spotlight.Having fought (or swam) its way back into the top ten, this impressive giant surely is determined to edge out the mighty Mosasaurus.
One of my all-time favorite pieces of paleo-art is Douglas Henderson’s 1989 painting Tarbosaurus and Saurolophus which depicts a red-headed Tarbosaurus pursuing a herd of Saurolophus crossing a river. Like all the best paleo-art this piece serves as a time machine and as a kid I would stare at and study it.
Tyrannosaurus rex is like that actor typecast and boxed in a very particular role. Sometimes you become so good or famous for that image or role that it becomes hard for your adoring fans to picture you in anything else. In the case of Mr. Rex, it is playing the role of a villain; a bloodthirsty, cold-blooded killer always in search for its helpless victim.
Ah, another Dimetrodon! This Permian synapsid belongs to the group of usual suspects in the competition for the most popular prehistoric animal. It is well-known, highly popular and long ago iconic. So nothing has to be written about the species itself here anymore, I guess.
Still there are many surprising figures of it out there, and this Kellog´s cereal freebie is one of them.
Five or so years ago I introduced to you a line of so called „Margarinefiguren“ (meaning margarine figures) which had been produced by or for a German food company named „Wagner“ 60 or so years ago. The company added them to their food packages as little collectibles for kids as a buying incentive for their parents.
A violent fight is underway. Deafening growls, screams, and grunts pierce the air shattering this once tranquil part of the forest and bringing chaos for those animals who live within its periphery. A sudden rustling from behind the bushes followed by the sound of an animal hurt accompanied by loud thud indicates something is thrown on the ground.
Snarling contemptuously, the enormous lion slams his paw against Bellona’s face and rakes it down from her forehead to her nose to leave a series of deep claw marks, including one directly across her left eye. She staggers backward, yelping in pain and dripping blood. Emboldened, the lion rises to his full height and roars right in her face.
This model is reconstructed with ample attention to detail for this alien-looking wonder from the Cambrian.
I’ve had a soft spot for the weirdos in nature since my early childhood, so Opabinia has always been a favorite of mine. This 3 inch long stem arthropod was a denizen of the ocean floors during the middle of the Cambrian Period, about 505 million years ago.
Insular dwarfism is an interesting evolutionary phenomenon where a population of animal that find themselves marooned, separated from main landmass, start evolving progressively into smaller forms or size than what is seen on their ancestors in the mainland to adapt to their newfound restricted reality.This adaptation ensures that these population of animals did not outstrip the limited available food and territory renounces.
