Concavenator’s Collection (new 8/5/2024)

A velociraptorine dromaeosaurid that has become famous due to its appearance in Hollywood movies (King et al. 2020) like those belonging to the Jurassic Park/World franchise. It had 9 cm long sickle-like claws on the second digit of each foot, and it also had a long, stiff tail that helped the animal balance itself when it was running (Dixon 2010). An oustanding fossil reported in 1972 featured a Velociraptor actively preying on a Protoceratops. To this date, this is still the only fossil that represents two taxa directly interacting (Hone et al. 2010). Two species have currently been described: V. mongoliensis (the type species) and V. osmolskae (2.0.CO;2]Godefroit et al. 2008). The first Velociraptor mongoliensis specimen was discovered in an expedition by the AMNH to Mongolia in the 1920s. However, more specimens of this species have been discovered ever since (Dixon 2010).

Replaces the Safari version, which I also really like. But this replacement allows me to save some space, and this BotM Velociraptor is also very nice. This is also my first BotM “raptor” figure (as in, part of that series, I’ll probably get either the Cyberzoic or the BotM Deinonychus as well, for the same reason as this Velociraptor).

Safe to say this is easily the most overpriced figure I’ve ever bought, I hope nobody will ask me how much did it cost lol (spoiler: more than the 2nd hand BotM Chasmosaurus I bought last year  :-[ ). I mean, I acknowledge all the articulation engineering, the figure itself is also very well-painted and it feels like the high-quality product it’s meant to be, but I still feel the price is way too much for something this small. Also, my copy came with some significant prognathism:

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Which is why I’m displaying it with its mouth open. Anyways, I still really like it.

This is also my first order from speelboer.com. I ordered the figure on Saturday evening and arrived yesterday at about 2 p.m. So 3.5 days excluding Sunday, that’s FAST considering it came from the Netherlands. This will now be my go-to shop when it comes to getting Creative Beast stuff.

A dome-headed dinosaur from the Hell Creek Formation (Brusatte 2019). Its growth stages have been considered as different genera at some point: Dracorex (juvenile) and Stygimoloch (subadult) (Goodwin & Evans 2015). They may have used their domes in intraspecific combat, suggesting agonistic behaviour in pachycephalosaurids (Peterson & Vittore 2012). It is the biggest (and hence, the most famous) pachycephalosaurid. Only skull remains of the species have currently been described (Dixon 2010). However, there are well-preserved postcranial remains awaiting to be described. These undescribed remains seemingly suggest Pachycephalosaurus individuals, apart from head-butting, also engaged in kickboxing-like intraspecific combats.

Replaces the Papo Pachycephalosaurus that I had since I was a kid and which I sold 2 years ago. This certainly is one of the most satisfying replacements that I remember. This figure has been on my wishlist since it was announced. Ever since I’m aware of AliExpress sales, I no longer pay full-price for a PNSO figure, and the 11.11 sale, being the biggest one of the year, is a good moment to pick them up. So I finally caved, and glad I did, because the figures of this size range from PNSO are quite overpriced (though the award for most overpriced still has to go to the Tsintaosaurus).

Anyways, I’m enjoying this acquisition. Pachycephalosaurus is an old favorite of mine, and PNSO’s is a really good representation. If this wasn’t a thing, I would have gladly bought Safari’s (and it’s clearly more affordable), but this PNSO is also very good and it’s smaller, so it helps me save space. Also, despite being a 2 year old figure and PNSO constantly releasing new figures, the paint app is fairly good, certainly better than I expected. Was I lucky?

An unusual centrosaurine which, instead of possessing a big nasal horn, had a big nasal boss instead, which likely had a keratinous covering. This peculiar structure was acquired as the animals reached sexual maturity. It is possible that adult individuals were sexually dimorphic. At least 27 individuals were found in a bone bed near Alberta (Canada) (Currie, Langston & Tanke 2008).

Replaces the Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus, which I’ve had for about a month. I don’t usually go for discontinued stuff, and one of the reasons why is because I don’t feel like actively searching for a figure, I find that to be very tedious and frustrating. This time however, I stumbled upon this good condition Safari Pachyrhinosaurus, and it was selling for a decent price. I was aware it’s more accurate than the HLG I had, so I didn’t hesitate to get it. I bought the HLG because the Safari and Battat versions are no longer available, I don’t like the PNSO and I didn’t feel like getting the huge and expensive BotM one.

The Safari Pachyrhinosaurus is pretty nice. It comes from that time when Safari used to release a new ceratopsid every year. Those times are apparently long gone, since the last one we got was the Styracosaurus in 2019. When it comes to this Pachyrhinosaurus, I would simply have preferred it to be a bit bulkier. On that aspect, I prefer the Battat, so I’m not sure whether I’ll keep this one or if I’ll try picking up the Battat. What do you guys think?