Purussaurus, like Deinosuchus and Sarcosuchus, is a high contender for the title of the most important crocodyliforme of all time. In contrast to these different two, it was a correct member of the order Crocodilia, a commodious caiman that dwelled within the rivers and lakes of South America through the Miocene epoch between 16 and 5.3 million years in the past. And Mattel, with their penchant for producing prehistoric genera of all persuasion, is the primary firm to deal with it. Additionally it is their second Cenozoic toy, the primary being Gryposuchus, which was a recent of Purussaurus and doubtless included in its weight loss plan.
Launched in mid-2025 as a part of the Jurassic World Gigantic Thrashers collection, this Purussaurus is sculpted with its limbs bent and flexed and its stomach held off the bottom, as if it have been gearing up for a mad sprint. The tail is twitching barely to the precise. It rivals the Sarcosuchus for the title of Mattel’s greatest pseudosuchian, measuring a very good 38 cm lengthy from the tip of its bulbous nostril to the sharp finish of its tail. Solely cranium materials of Purussaurus has been uncovered to date, so its actual dimension is unknown. Estimates vary between round 9 to 12 metres in size and 4 to eight tons in weight.
The color scheme is reasonably distinctive. The principle colors are navy blue on high and glaucous blue on backside with glaucous markings over the pelvis and the tail. The eyes are orange, the tooth are off white, and the within of the mouth is darkish pink. You might have observed by now that I’m keen on the color blue, and for the lifetime of me, I can’t recall another crocodyliforme toy carried out in blue, so good on you, Mattel. And certain, it’s virtually a on condition that the true Purussaurus wasn’t truly blue, but it surely’s nonetheless a extra realistic-looking color scheme than the one on the Sarcosuchus proven above. The JW brand and the scan code are printed on the soles of the left entrance foot and the precise hind foot. And once more, I actually am glad that Mattel put an finish to these slide-out tabs.
Purussaurus had a head fairly distinct from that of any current caiman, and from the heads of different large prehistoric crocs. Not solely was it ginormous, but it surely was additionally very vast and really deep, with a bulging tip. Certainly, it’s thought to have possessed one in every of, if not the strongest chunk forces of any archosaur, falling someplace within the vary from 52,000 to 69,000 N. And it additionally would have been able to performing the notorious “dying roll” that fashionable crocs use to dismember their prey. The pinnacle on this toy is appropriately vast and deep and bulging, and lined in scales and bumps for a comparatively reasonable look. The palette and tongue are ribbed, and the latter is roofed in small bumps. The various tooth are pointy, however current no danger of hurt to younger kids, as they’re all made of sentimental plastic. The association of the tooth is surprisingly near the true deal, though two of those on the very entrance of the mandible are angled ahead as an alternative of upward to ensure that the mouth to shut correctly.
Turning the Purussaurus‘ tail back and forth causes the top to show back and forth as nicely, and for the jaws to open and shut quickly. And twisting the tail causes the top to twist, the jaws to snap, and the entrance limbs to lift one after the other. Enjoyable motion options to make sure, though it may be a bit arduous to get the mouth to stay open when you want to take a look at it or take a photograph. The hind limbs rotate on the hips, however there’s not a lot level in doing so. They solely look good of their default place.
All of the limbs are lined in giant scales, and the entrance ones have rows of spines alongside the forearms. The entrance toes have 5 digits and the hind ones have 4, all with reasonably lengthy, pointy claws. It should even be famous that the limbs are outsized compared to scientific reconstructions, to not point out modern caimans. But it surely’s Mattel, and it’s removed from the most glaring anatomical inaccuracy they’ve dedicated.
Equally, the torso most likely needs to be a wider, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly lengthy and deep, and succeeds in serving to to make this toy look like a beefy, brawny predator. It’s lined in scales starting from giant, flat ones on the stomach to smaller and bumpier ones on the flanks. A number of rows of osteoderms run down the again, with a tall row of tooth-shaped spines within the very centre, extra like what you’d see on a lizard reasonably than a caiman. These are made of sentimental plastic.
The powerful-looking tail too is roofed in scales, osteoderms, and spines, with the very largest ones close to the tip. All the tip is product of softer, extra versatile plastic, and might rotate in both course, however as with the hind limbs, it solely seems good in commonplace configuration. It’s unlikely at greatest that the true Purussaurus had such spines, however they do look fairly cool right here versus fairly ugly.
General, I feel that the Mattel Purussaurus is a good toy, yet one more one which I might have been thrilled to personal as a baby. It’s massive, it’s blue, it’s distinctive and scary-looking, it’s distinctive as of this writing, and it’s undoubtedly quite a lot of enjoyable to play with. Certainly, I’d say that it’s the very best Gigantic Thrashers toy, and likewise the very best Mattel toy I’ve reviewed right here this yr. I’m planning on gifting it to my older son come Xmas, and I’ve little question that he’ll be more than happy with it. And I do hope that CollectA or PNSO or Safari Ltd. tackles this species someday sooner or later in order that I can have a model so as to add to my very own assortment.
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