Lambeosaurus was named by William Parks in 1923, honoring Canadian paleontologist Lawrence Lambe, who had previously worked with the material. It was first classified as a species of Trachodon by Lambe in 1902.

As a hadrosaur, Lambeosaurus had an incredibly efficient chewing system, characterized by intricate tooth batteries and specialized jaw movements that allowed it to process its plant-based diet with remarkable ease.

These adaptations were vital for breaking down tough vegetation in its environment, which was abundant in diverse flora. Lambeosaurines, in particular, are known to typically possess narrower beaks compared to their saurolophine relatives like Edmontosaurus, indicating that they may have been more selective eaters, likely choosing specific types of plants that offered higher nutritional value.

This dietary preference may have played a significant role in their survival and adaptation to changing habitats. Additionally, other hadrosaurs are known for their social behaviors, such as practicing parental care and forming herds for protection and social interaction.

A male Lsambeosaurus

Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Lambeosaurus exhibited similar characteristics, likely living in groups where individual dinosaurs contributed to a large, cohesive reptilian orchestra, communicating and assisting each other in navigating their lush surroundings while raising their young together.

In 1825, Dr. Gideon Mantell, an English surgeon, geologist, and pioneering palaeontologist, made a significant discovery that would advance our understanding of prehistoric life. He identified several prehistoric teeth from East Sussex, which he later recognized as belonging to a large, herbivorous dinosaur species.

This groundbreaking finding sparked further interest in the study of fossils and contributed to the early development of paleontology as a scientific discipline, leading to numerous explorations and discoveries in the field.

They looked like those of an iguana but considerably larger, so Mantell named his newfound discovery Iguanodon. This fascinating creature, with its unique bone structure and distinctive thumb spikes, represented a significant leap in our understanding of prehistoric life. Its massive size and herbivorous diet suggested that it roamed the lush, verdant landscapes of the Mesozoic era, feeding on the abundant flora.

Mantell’s research brought to light this incredible species, sparking interest and curiosity among paleontologists and the general public alike, ultimately paving the way for future discoveries in the field of paleontology.

A male Iguanodon

Iguanodon is a fascinating type of ornithopod dinosaur that lived between 139 and 122 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, a time when dinosaurs thrived and began to dominate the earth.

Female Iguanodon

It was notable for being the second dinosaur ever discovered and is recognized as one of the very first to be named, coming after Megalosaurus, which set the stage for future paleontological studies. Iguanodon was characterized by its distinctive thumb spikes and herbivorous diet, which allowed it to forage on a variety of plants that were abundant during its time.

As part of its social behavior, it is believed to have lived in herds, providing safety in numbers while navigating the diverse ecosystems of the Cretaceous landscape.

Iguanodon’s name means “iguana tooth” because of its iguana-like teeth, which were well-adapted for a herbivorous diet.

his remarkable dinosaur was the biggest member of its family, showcasing a robust body and strong limbs that allowed it to traverse the varied landscapes of its time.

Juvenile Iguanodon

guanodon lived in Europe during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous periods, primarily in what is now England and Belgium, where it likely roamed in herds.

Its unique dental structure enabled it to efficiently chew tough plant material, making it a successful grazer in its environment.

The complete

Not to be confused the Paralophosaurus. Although both Paralophosaurus.and Parasaurolophus are duck-billed dinosaurs with crests, Paralophosaurus has a straight, hollow crest, while Parasaurolophus has a curved, hollow crest

The duckbill dinosaur Parasaurolophus is well-known for its large and distinctive crest that begins at its nose and gracefully curves over the top of its head, giving it an unmistakable appearance. This fascinating feature is thought to have been used for a range of purposes, possibly including communication and mating displays.

However, until recently, the skulls found by paleontologists did not preserve this iconic crest well, limiting our understanding of its structure and function. As new discoveries continue to emerge, researchers are gaining valuable insights into how this extraordinary dinosaur lived and interacted with its environment.

Two Juvenile Parasaurolophus

Female Parasaurolophus

Male Parasaurolophus

“Come on I’ll have the four of ya”!

Muttaburrasaurus was a fascinating plant-eating dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 113-97.5 million years ago. This herbivorous creature was distinguished by its unique features and robust body, which allowed it to thrive in its habitat.

Discovered by paleontologist Allison Janney, this dinosaur’s name translates to “Muttaburra (in Queensland, Australia) lizard,” reflecting its geographical origin and the culture that surrounded it.

Muttaburrasaurus grew to an impressive length of about 24 feet (7 m), showcasing its significant size among the dinosaur family. Its distinctive characteristics, including a large, elongated snout and specialized teeth, suggest that it primarily fed on soft vegetation, which was abundant in the lush environments of its time.

This adaptability likely contributed to its success as a species during the rich ecological landscape of the early Cretaceous.

Male pack Leader

Female Muttaburrasaurus (1)

Female Muttaburrasaurus (2)

Scelidosaurus:

Scelidosaurus harrisonii is an early armoured dinosaur from the Late Sinemurian period, known from partial descriptions since 1859. Its original remains, discovered in 1858, included much of the skull and skeleton, making it one of the first nearly complete dinosaur discoveries.

Even though these “models” look a bit cartoonish if I was confronted by them I think I would prefer to be without my trousers like our intrepid game hunter above as it would help with…… well you know!

Styracosaurus was a relatively large dinosaur, reaching lengths 16–18 ft and weighing about 1.8–2.7 metric tons. It stood about 6 feet tall.

We don’t have proof of a specific carnivore attacking Styracosaurus, but we know it lived alongside large predators like Daspletosaurus.

This formidable relative of Tyrannosaurus was not only strong enough to challenge a multi-horned ceratopsid, but it also possessed sharp teeth and powerful jaws that could inflict significant damage.

The presence of such predators in the environment would have certainly created a tense and dangerous atmosphere for the Styracosaurus as it roamed the land in search of food. Despite the lack of direct evidence, the evolutionary adaptations of both the Styracosaurus and its potential attackers indicate a dynamic interplay of predator and prey during this period.

This beast lived during the Late Cretaceous period, and its name means “spiked lizard.”

Female

Male Pack Leader

More tomorrow!

Headbanger: noun – “someone who enjoys listening to loud, energetic rock music” (Cambridge Dictionary)

Manowar

Ozzie Osbourne

Unfortunately not this type of headbanger, as Guru’s head nods vigorously to the loud thump of “Warriors of the World United”.

Now these headbangers are just a bit older than me as I came a little bit after the Late Cretaceous period……………………….just!

Despite the various models on sale, the Pachycephalosaurus was shorter than your averaged sized male, although from head to tail they could be as long as five metres.

Pachycephalosaurus was a strange dinosaur that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period. It walked on two strong legs, allowing it to reach impressive speeds, and had a beak perfectly designed for eating a variety of plants, including tough vegetation.

Male pack Leader

This dinosaur is particularly notable for the large, hard dome on its head, which was adorned with spikes that added to its unique appearance. Some scientists believe it used its dome to butt heads, similar to how rams use their impressive horns today in aggressive displays or during mating rituals.

Three females

This behavior might have played a crucial role in establishing dominance within its social groups, or also for defence against predators.

Dominant female

Two juveniles

More four legged monsters tomorrow.

Pronunciation: dye-NON-ick-us. Deinonychus was a small meat-eating dinosaur. It lived in what is now North America during the Early Cretaceous Period.

Despite their smaller stature, not even being married to Ally McBeal will help you now Mr Ford!

Deinonychus had a large, sickle-shaped talon on the second toe of each foot, and it is thought that when not in use the claw was held off the ground to keep it sharp. Ity could grow to about 3.4m long.

Deinonychus was a lightly built, fast moving, agile, bipedal dinosaur, known for its dynamic hunting abilities that made it a formidable predator in its ecosystem.

It was built to kill, utilizing its speed and agility to chase down prey with remarkable efficiency. Deinonychus’ tail was long and stiff, helping to balance the animal’s weight.

This meat-eater had a curved, flexible neck that allowed it to maneuver swiftly, complemented by a big head equipped with sharp, serrated teeth in very powerful jaws designed for tearing flesh.

Deinonychus showcased a keen evolutionary advantage with its relatively large brain, which enabled advanced problem-solving and social behavior, and large, keen eyes that provided excellent vision, allowing it to detect movement from great distances, whether stalking through dense vegetation or engaging in pack hunts.

The combination of its physical attributes and sensory capabilities positioned Deinonychus as one of the top predators of its time, capable of adapting to various hunting strategies and environments.

Something less likely to eat you tomorrow!

Finishing off “Nessie” from yesterday, this time with eyes painted!

Icthiosaurus

Plesiosaurus (Nessie?)

Pliosaurus

French Indian War trappers in canoe for scale.

Juvenile Brachiosaurus

Big Game Hunter for scale purposes

Brontosaurus Juveniles

Again our very brave hunter.

The last two Dimetrodons.

More to come!

Thought these were finished until I started taking photographs and realised no eyes!

Oh well they will have to wait until tomorrow!