Originally, it was intended that our highly esteemed author and forum member EmperorDinobot would review the Papo Ampelosaurus. But in July 2025, we had to learn of his tragic death at only 36 years old. I hope the following lines will do justice to his legacy.
First of all, I would like to make it clear that I bought this model myself in the museum shop of the LWL-Museum of Natural History in Münster, Germany for the price of 27,90 Euro.
Ampelosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaurs from the group of Titanosauria. Fossils of this genus come from the late Upper Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian) of France. It was first scientifically described in 1995 by the French paleontologist Jean Le Loeuff. The only known species is Ampelosaurus atacis, translating „Vineyard lizard from the river Aude”. It reached an estimated length of about 15 meters, and like various other titanosaurs, Ampelosaurus had bones embedded in the skin, which we call osteoderms and in this genus are preserved in the form of plates, bumps and spikes between 25 and 28 centimeters long. So far, only four such osteoderms have been discovered that can be attributed to Ampelosaurus.
For a distinctive sauropod whose scientific description dates back over 30 years, there are surprisingly few representations of this species. As far as I know, French company Papo is only the fifth company to take on this French sauropod, and, to get ahead of it: in my opinion with big success! This version, on the one hand, makes a good figure as a high-quality toy, but, on the other hand, also does not need to hide as a display model. Although it does not quite reach the level of detail and model quality of competitors like Haolonggood, PNSO or Eofauna, it still stands well as a sauropod that takes its customers seriously – in contrast to the mostly miserable approximations of sauropods that Schleich nowadays has to show.
Anyway, back to Papo and into the details: Papo Ampelosaurus was released in 2024, is 42 cm long, stands 15 cm tall and weighs 571 g, which makes it a chunky piece of rubber indeed. While the underside of the figure is painted in a subtle beige tone, the top features a pretty light blue. This contrast is very appealing and is enhanced by the white painting of the various spikes covered in horn. The level of detail of the skin texture is extremely remarkable. The osteoderms come across clearly in their versatility and impact, and one is almost inclined to consider the whole thing somewhat exaggerated.
Since it is a figure from Papo, this is forgiven to them, however, because the not always one hundred percent fact-based nature of their figures is compensated by their high recognizability, which is created in particular by a certain weight and threat of their animals. This Ampelosaurus seems to be walking, probably as a part of a herd, towards a forest, with its open mouth and a rather curious look. But it could also be that the animal has spotted a rival or a mate, to whom it is now approaching with a bold stride, possibly accompanied by some bleating or bellowing.
As with many sauropods, a head was never found, although the skeletons themselves are often quite complete. We see a high level of detail in the teeth, a red painting of the inside of the mouth (that lacks a tongue), a well-framed skull including eye, nose and ear openings at the right places. No shrinkwrapping whatsoever. The head is followed by the short neck typical of a titanosaur. Here, the back armor and the spiky ridge begin, which will continue almost to the tip of the tail. The barrel-shaped torso is a case in itself and convinces with a fortunately not overcrowded jumble of bony plates and lateral spines. Above the hip, an extremely bizarre collection of osteoderms can be seen, which almost resemble stones and seems a bit odd to me. The tail does not touch the ground and falls off slightly flat. Although the rear underside of the figure shows various folds, I cannot make out a distinct cloacal opening
When it comes to the locomotor system, that is the legs and feet, as to the companies that portray sauropods the wheat seperates from the chaff. The animals, with their front feet, were actually walking on the metacarpals (hand bones), not on the tips of their toes or even their soles. Often there was only one claw left on the inner finger. Titanosaurs carried the weight like a pillar, similar to elephants. The hind feet, on the other hand, typically had 3 functional main toes that bore the weight. Papo has effortlessly navigated all these anatomical pitfalls by rendering the feet correctly.
Ultimately, it is not just this care that convinces me of the figure, which I gladly recommend to any collector. It develops its own charm and is much closer to the top in quality than to the lousy league of peculiar toy box figures.
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