Ever because the demise of the Carnegie Assortment, Safari Ltd. has been steadily including genera from it to their fantastic Wild Safari line. Saltasaurus is the newest such addition. Found in 1975 and named in 1980 after Salta Province in Argentina, it was a comparatively small titanosaurian sauropod at simply 10-12 metres in size. It lived between 70 and 68 million years in the past and is notable for being the very first sauropod identified to have possessed armour on its physique.
New for 2025, this Saltasaurus measures about 30 cm lengthy and stands 10 cm tall, which makes it barely longer than the Carnegie Collection one. It’s sculpted in a strolling pose with its each its left entrance leg and proper hind leg in midstep. The top is turned sharply to look to the left and the tail is swinging to the best with the tip curling again to the left. Yet one more dinosaur out having fun with a leisurely constitutional. Can’t go improper with that.
The bottom color right here is mild gray with minimal black wash. The dorsal aspect is painted a darkish shade of pink, with gray protruding via on all of the scutes. The eyes are shiny black, the claws are very darkish gray, and there are small darkish purple stripes on the neck and tail. Not very many dinosaur toys have purple on them, so this can be a welcome deal with in my ebook.
The primary function on this toy is, after all, the intensive armour overlaying the entire of the higher half of the torso. Mentioned armour consists of enormous, grooved scutes formed moderately like mushroom tops. And defending the areas between the scutes are smaller spherical ossicles. It appears to be like moderately spectacular, virtually as elaborate because the armour on many an ankylosaur. As to what objective it served, protection in opposition to predators instantly springs to thoughts. Abelisaurs had been alive and fluorishing in South America similtaneously Saltasaurus, and there could have nonetheless been a carcharodontosaur species or two round as properly. One other chance is that the scutes served as calcium reservoirs for when meals was scarce or when females wanted to put their eggs.
The remainder of the Saltasaurus‘ physique is roofed in flat scales with giant wrinkles on the neck, stomach, legs, and tail. The small head is slim with a protracted snout, making it pretty typical for a titanosaur. The neck is comparatively brief whereas the tail may be very lengthy and whip-like.
The entrance limbs finish in rounded toes with no claws. The hind limbs, that are a lot bigger, finish in additional oval-shaped toes with three giant claws. And the torso may be very deep and huge, comparable in general form to a picket barrel. Saltasaurus could not have been a really giant sauropod, nevertheless it was actually one of the girthiest for its measurement. It was thought-about among the many most uncommon sauropods on the time of its discovery, and it nonetheless stays so 5 a long time later.
General, the Wild Safari Saltasaurus is a welcome replace of the Carnegie one, with much better sculpting and a extra practical look, and an uncommon color scheme in addition. I’m a giant fan of small sauropods (I discover them far more fascinating than the mega ones) and I’ve all the time been a fan of this specific one, so it’s nice to lastly have a toy of it in my assortment. It’s undoubtedly value including to yours as properly. Sustain the nice work, Safari. I desire a Brachytrachelopan subsequent!
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