Velociraptor (Blue Ocean Entertainment Exclusive by Schleich)

Review and photographs by Stolpergeist, edited by Suspsy

After a strong first start in August 2020, Blue Ocean Entertainment released the second Schleich Dinosaurs magazine issue that is Team Dino-themed: issue #23 for October and November 2020. This time, the toy included is a downsized version of the Velociraptor from Schleich’s Conquering the Earth line.

As usual, this smaller version lacks any of the articulation that the larger one has to save production costs. The head is boxy and some sparse feathers can be seen, as is the case for the large counterpart. Once again, this smaller toy is limited to the magazine, which itself is only available in Germany. The base plastic seems to be of the same yellow as the previous Tyrannosaurus figure, the top of the body is lime green, the head and display feathers on the limbs are blue, the teeth have been simply painted white, and the tongue in a bright red. The eyes are brown with slit pupils, giving it a dangerous appearance.

The figure measures 5.5 cm tall and 10.3 cm long. It is smaller than most of Schleich’s Velociraptor toys, but unfortunately, I do however not have the larger version it is based on. I only have the very first one from 2004 and the red variant of the World of History line that was in the 2016 advent calendar. Interestingly, the magazine toy is about the same size as the 2004 version.

It also feels a bit less awkward next to Schleich’s Utahraptor, as most of their Velociraptor models are about the same size as the former. It is still a bit oversized, however; next to my slightly customized Schleich Utahraptor, the magazine Velociraptor would be the size of a Deinonychus.

Velociraptor means “swift plunderer” and it is thought to have hunted other dinosaurs such as Protoceratops or stolen their eggs on occasion. This would lead to confrontations such as the famous Fighting Dinosaurs fossil where the two animals were apparently buried by a sand dune while being tangled in deadly combat.

Velociraptor fossils are mostly known from the Djadochta Formation but velociraptorine fossils have also been found in the Barun Goyot Formation, where they share their environment with the ankylosaur Saichania, of which Schleich made an excellent figure in 2017.

Velociraptor is far from the only coelurosaur theropod in its environment, another famous one which is also likely covered in feathers is Oviraptor, which was roughly the same size.

Far from being the same size is the mighty Tarbosaurus, the largest fellow coelurosaur in Velociraptor’s local area, a terrifying tyrannosaur.

Speaking of tyrannosaurs, the magazine exclusive Velociraptor figure is about the same size as the Tyrannosaurus from the previous issue. It seems like they will be kept in this size range to ensure a consistent price for the magazine. Unlike the Tyrannosaurus, however, the Velociraptor isn’t stamped. I’d assume as there was likely not enough space, but it is still an official figure as it comes with the Schleich magazine.

Coming next is the December 2020/January 2021 issue featuring a smaller version of Schleich’s current grey and red Triceratops. I am more excited for that figure as it is one of their more accurate ones, I would, however, not say better as there have been complaints regarding child safety as the horns aren’t bendy enough.