Cretaceous Africa Diorama

Cretaceous Africa Diorama

An enthusiastic dinosaur model collector has sent Everything Dinosaur some photos of their Cretaceous diorama inspired by the finding of a sawfish model.  Robert, a long-time customer of Everything Dinosaur, has created a super-sized prehistoric animal diorama, he wanted to depict prehistoric north Africa and the domain of the fearsome theropod Spinosaurus (Albian to Turonian faunal stages of the Cretaceous).

The 1:40 Scale CollectA Deluxe Spinosaurus Dinosaur Model has Captured an Onchopristis 

Spinosaurus has caught an Onchopristis.  Onchopristis may have resembled an extant sawfish but it was not closely related to today's sawfish.  The saw-like rostrum was up to two metres long and this fish was a member of the cartilaginous Chondrichthyes.  Although, size estimates for this fish vary, many palaeontologists state it reached lengths of between five and eight metres.

Picture Credit: Robert Townsend

Dinosaur model enthusiast Robert commented:

"While searching through my model prehistoric sea creature collection, I discovered a small sawfish model which makes an ideal Onchopristis for the Middle Cretaceous African dinosaur Spinosaurus to catch and feast upon.  So, I took some more pictures for you to download."

The Fish Model has been Carefully Placed in the Articulated Jaws of the Spinosaurus Model

Spinosaurus with its catch.  There is quite a lot of evidence to suggest that Spinosaurus was a piscivore and as fossilised vertebrae assigned to Onchopristis have been found in association with Spinosaurus remains, it is known that these two species were contemporaneous.

Picture Credit: Robert Townsend

An Extensive Prehistoric Landscape

Robert has constructed an extensive prehistoric landscape complete with watering hole, dinosaur nesting sites and footprints.  He has used this landscape to create various prehistoric scenes depicting dinosaur biota associated with famous fossil sites and locations.  Over the years, Robert has sent into Everything Dinosaur images depicting the Early Cretaceous of Europe, Triassic prehistoric animals, dinosaurs from North America and several other compilations including a dinosaurs of South America themed Cretaceous diorama.

A Close View of the CollectA Deluxe Spinosaurus with its Prey

Spinosaurus with its catch (Onchopristis).

Picture Credit: Robert Townsend

Other Theropods Depicted Too

Although the finding of a sawfish replica was the inspiration behind this diorama, a depiction of the potential predator/prey relationship.  Robert has also chosen to depict other theropods within his extensive prehistoric landscape.

A Suchomimus Spotted by the Waterhole with a Sawfish

A Suchomimus has caught an Onchopristis.  Lots of prehistoric animal action depicted along the shores of the realistic watering hole in the dinosaur diorama.

Picture Credit: Robert Townsend

Our thanks to dinosaur model collector Robert for sending in these pictures to us.

Two Feeding Sauropods also Featured in the Dinosaur Diorama

Nigersaurus and Malawisaurus feeding.

Picture Credit: Robert Townsend

Source: blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk