Described in 1979 by Jack Horner (and Robert Makela), the “good mom lizard” and its communal nesting websites in Montana had been found simply in time to corroborate the notion that dinosaurs had been lively, heat blooded, bird-like animals, that invested time in rearing their offspring. Maiasaura grew to become a poster little one for the Dinosaur Renaissance and together with Jack Horner was featured in numerous publications and documentaries in the course of the 80’s and 90’s. Maiasaura was additionally featured within the Jurassic Park novels and though it didn’t make it to the massive display adaptation it’s describer would find yourself being the movie’s dinosaur advisor. Though by no means seen on-screen, Maiasaura remains to be a canon species. Eager eyed viewers will see an info-sheet on it in The Misplaced World: Jurassic Park. All of this makes Mattel’s Maiasaura a welcome addition to their assortment of Jurassic World dinosaur toys.
The Mattel Maiasaura is a part of their Wild Roar line, which signifies that it’s a mid-sized determine that makes sounds. A lot of the sounds are generic roars however there may be one standout noise that feels like a goose-like honk, a sound popularly related to ornithopods. The motion characteristic is the emphasis right here and there’s not a lot articulation. Flattening on the tail lifts the top up whereas sounds are emitted. The forelimbs are on common joints however the hindlimbs aren’t articulated.
The toy measures 12.75” (32 cm) lengthy whereas the precise Maiasaura reached an estimated size of 30’ (9 meters). This places the toy at 1/28 in scale, too small to scale precisely with Mattel’s people, autos, and the majority of their dinosaurs.
The determine has an honest posture and proportions, with a swish swan-like neck, dainty forelimbs, excessive hips, and a decently prolonged tail. It has the lean construct that was in vogue from the 80’s till fairly just lately. These days the pattern is to bulk ornithopods up, however this look has solely just lately begun to be applied within the passion.
The determine has the distinctive “roman nostril” of Maiasaura however lacks the strong crest that runs between the eyes, as an alternative having only a small horn between them. Haolonggood made an analogous mistake with their Maiasaura too, giving it a horn over every eye however not connecting them. Such are the perils of solely utilizing lateral views as references when designing a dinosaur toy! The arms are additionally inaccurate, with two weight-bearing digits and a smaller digit on both sides as an alternative of getting the weight-bearing digits fused inside a flesh mitten and supported by a single hoof. The hindlimbs have 4 forward-facing digits when there needs to be three.
The face is roofed in fantastic, pebbly scales, whereas the remainder of the physique is usually coated with giant polygonal scales. A row of raised scales runs down the mid-line of the again and deep grooves run over the shoulders in between them. Saggy pores and skin folds run down the neck and wrinkled pores and skin is sculpted across the knees and there’s first rate muscle definition within the legs.
One of many determine’s greatest attributes is its engaging paintjob. The physique is teal and far of the muzzle, decrease jaw, and throat are white. A mosaic of white patches can be painted alongside the flanks. The highest of the muzzle and horn are vibrant orange and skinny orange racing stripes run down each side of the neck and torso. Orange splotches are painted over the orbits as nicely. It’s a beautiful and attention-grabbing coloration mixture. The teal coloration mixed with the considerably shrink-wrapped physique give the toy a 90’s flare that I get pleasure from.
Previous the torso the paint apps cease, in typical Mattel trend. So, you get a implausible trying entrance half and unfinished trying again half. The claws and within the mouth aren’t painted. Solely the highest half of the beak is painted (grey), and the eyes are yellow with orange pupils. The shortage of paint on the decrease portion of the beak makes it seem like a large tooth however that may be simply mounted.
The Mattel Maiasaura is one in every of their greatest choices of their newest wave and definitely one in every of their higher ornithopods. In pose, kind, and coloration, it’s a lovely toy with a considerably retro taste and a peaceful demeanor befitting a Maiasaura. For me it was one of many necessities from the Rebirth wave and collectors of taxa talked about within the books needs to be notably happy. The Mattel Maiasaura is at the moment out there and retails for about $15.
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