If my research is correct, it has been 13 years since Safari Ltd. released a prehistoric animal TOOB. Their last was the Cambrian Life TOOB, released in 2013 and retired from production 4 short years later. And in fact, all of the best Safari prehistoric animal TOOBs were retired in 2017, including the Prehistoric Sharks, Crocodiles, and Sea Life TOOBs. But while prehistoric TOOBs may have appeared to be dead and gone, new TOOBS of extant animas kept on being released with increasingly complex and impressive little figures of some rather obscure creatures. These include such recent treasures as the Great Lakes, Sahara Desert, Everglades, and European Animals TOOBs. For prehistoric animal collectors, this was like rubbing salt in the wound, and many collectors spent restless nights wistfully dreaming of the day that Safari would hear their pleas for a new TOOB of prehistoric animals. Safari heard their cries and is back better than ever with the new for 2026, Herbivorous Dinosaurs TOOB.
On its surface, a TOOB of herbivorous dinosaurs might not seem terribly exciting. Certainly not as exciting as the oft wished for prehistoric amphibian or pterosaur TOOBS. Safari is playing it safe with this one, dipping their toes in the water and making sure their first foray back into prehistoric TOOBS will be a profitable one. It makes sense, all those exotic TOOBs we adore were retired for a reason, sadly. And those that have stuck around have been the same old basic assortment of crude dinosaur sculpts that appear to be serving Safari well. All that said, this TOOB should not be overlooked. In addition to including Safari’s finest sculpted miniature dinosaurs to date, there are also some unique goodies in there that should appeal to collectors of obscure genera or scale conscious collectors. It’s a TOOB that should have broad appeal and it’s a smart move from Safari Ltd.
The Herbivorous Dinosaurs TOOB contains 11 figures of the following genera: Lambeosaurus, Ouranosaurus, Brontosaurus, Plateosaurus, Stegosaurus, Borealopelta, Ankylosaurus, Stegouros, Torosaurus, Protoceratops, and Pachycephalosaurus. That’s four thyreophorans, three marginocephalians, two ornithopods, and two sauropodomorphs. We’re going to look at each figure individually and then assess the TOOB as a whole. This is going to be a lengthy review, so grab a drink and get comfortable! We’ll be tackling these figures in alphabetical order.
Ankylosaurus (Late Cretaceous): One of the more familiar faces in the TOOB, the Ankylosaurus measures 3.5” (8.89 cm) long. Scaling down from a length of 26’ (8 meters) puts the figure at 1/89 in scale. The armor arrangement matches closest with that proposed by Mallon and Arbour in 2017. The figure is presented striding forward with the head looking slightly leftward.
The skin has a faint, bumpy texture, and most of the detail work is focused on the scutes along the back, the largest of which have sculpted keels. The figure is accurately rendered and includes lateral nostril placement, a wide body, a stiffened tail, and five digits on the forelimbs with the last two reduced, and three on the hindlimbs. The figure is maroon colored with a yellow back. I like the colors but would have preferred it if the yellow along the back came down over the osteoderms along the flanks.
Borealopelta (Early Cretaceous): One of the most exciting figures in the set is the Cretaceous nodosaurid, Borealopelta, which has achieved a great deal of fame since its description in 2017. It already has a few figures to its name but there’s always room for more! This figure measures 3.5” (8.89 cm), which puts it at 1/61 in scale when scaled down from the 18’ (5.5 meter) length of the actual Borealopelta. The figure is presented with the limbs firmly planted and slightly bent, and the head angled downward, as if grazing.
The figure is detailed with tightly packed osteoderms over the back and tail, larger osteoderms around the neck, and a long spike on each shoulder. Faint scales can be seen sculpted over the unarmored portions of the toy. The body is appropriately wide, the tail is long, and five digits are present on each forelimb and there’s four on each hindlimb. The figure is reddish-brown with a gray underside, in keeping with the known pigment of the actual specimen.
Brontosaurus (Late Jurassic): Perhaps one of the more mundane figures in the TOOB if only because it’s a species that has been done to death, the Brontosaurus is at least unique in being labeled as a Brontosaurus instead of Apatosaurus. It’s one of the few figures to use the name since its resurrection. The figure measures about 5” (12.7 cm), which puts it at 1/180 in scale when scaled down from a length of 75’ (22.86 meters). The figure is presented striding forward, with the head looking to the left and the tail curling towards the right.
It’s nice to see a modern looking sauropod at such a small scale, since most small figures would change the proportions in some way or another. Not so here, the head is appropriately small (with accurately placed nostrils), and the neck and tail are of decent length. The neck looks a bit too thin for Brontosaurus though. The hands have a single large spike on each and there are three curved digits on each hindlimb. The figure is mostly smooth with faint wrinkles, which is fine for a small sauropod figure. The figure is blue, with darker blue along the back and on the hands and feet, and pale blue on the flanks and underside. Blue spots run down over the back, shoulders, thighs, and most of the tail. Although I was somewhat underwhelmed by its addition to the TOOB I do like this dynamic and colorful sauropod. My wife audibly gasped when she saw it, so I think it might be her favorite.
Lambeosaurus (Late Cretaceous): Another genus that’s so rarely done that I’m always excited to see it. The Lambeosaurus measures about 3.25” (8.3 cm) long which puts it at 1/92 in scale when scaled down from the 25’ (7.62 meter) length of the actual animal. The figure is presented striding forward with the head looking slightly to the left.
The figure’s posture is rather good, with the figure shown as a quadruped, with tall neural spines, and the deep tail held high. The legs are appropriately lean and muscular, but the forelimbs appear too long. The hands are sculpted looking like a single hoofed oven-mitt though, which is accurate. Large scutes run down along the midline of the back, and the rest of the body is smooth with faint stippling. The figure is attractively painted gray with dark gray patterning running down the back and bleeding down the sides. These shades of gray are used heavily in this TOOB, and we’ll be seeing them again. The crest is red but the spike on the back of the crest is not connected to the rest of it. To me, this figure is hit and miss but I like that Lambeosaurus was included.
Ouranosaurus (Early Cretaceous): This basal hadrosauriform is an animal so rarely made that it’s inclusion in this TOOB is a welcomed one. It measures 3.25” (8.3 cm) long which puts it at 1/99 in scale when scaled down from a length of 27’ (8.3 meters). The figure is presented in a static pose with the head looking rightward and the tail sweeping to the left. The figure is nicely detailed with a covering of small, pebbly scales, and is overall more refined and better proportioned than the Lambeosaurus, with better sculpted musculature, daintier forelimbs, and finer details.
The tall neural spines over the back are sculpted as a thick ridge and a singular crest can be seen anterior to and between the eyes. Safari may have been inspired by Haolonggood’s figure with this one, because it makes the same mistake! There should be two crests, side-by-side. It’s hard to tell if there’s a thumb spike but the thumb is prominent and at this scale, I think we can let it slide! The figure is sandy colored, with dull orange airbrushing along the back and thighs. White stripes and squiggles run over the back and flanks.
Pachycephalosaurus (Late Cretaceous): With its lipless mouth, dewlap, spindly tail and similar pose, the Pachycephalosaurus in this TOOB looks more like a miniature version of PNSO’s Pachy than it does like Safari’s own standard sized figure. It measures 3.25” (8.3 cm) long, which puts it at 1/54 in scale when scaled down from a length of 14.8’ (4.5 meters). The figure is horizontally orientated in a walking pose, with a slight leftward bend in the tail. It comes with a small plastic tray to help it stand and prevent the legs from warping. It can also stand without it, at least for now.
The skin has a faint, bumpy texture, and skin creases are sculpted around the neck. There are also tarsal scutes on the toes. The head is beautifully sculpted with lots of bony little knobs and dents, a beak, and nostrils. Five digits are accurately sculpted on each hand. The figure is shamrock green with a pale yellow underside. The back is black, with stripes running down along the sides. The dome is tipped in pale yellow. Although I feel like the paintjob is kind of boring on this figure, I’m always happy to have another figure of one of my favorite dinosaurs.
Plateosaurus (Late Triassic): Easily one of the TOOB’s best and most exciting figures is this Plateosaurus, a dinosaur that collectors have been wishing for new figures of for a long time. The last decent figure of this once popular dinosaur was CollectA’s 2011 toy. Given the scientific advancements since then, it makes this humble little toy the most informed model of the genus! The figure measures 4.25” (10.79 cm) long, which puts it between 1/36-1/93 in scale when scaled down from the low-end estimate for P. gracilis (13’/4 meters) and the high-end estimate for P. trossingensis (33’/10 meters).
This Plateosaurus is presented walking bipedally and comes standing in a plastic tray with a rubber band wrapped around its waste. It is an excellent looking figure, with a tiny head on a modestly long neck, five digits on each hand, and an exceptionally long and deep tail. The figure is mostly smooth but there is a fringe of spines running down the back and a thick fold of skin running along the lower torso and tail. The figure is blue with an orange head and black, triangular markings running down the back. It’s a unique paintjob that won’t appeal to everyone, but I like it. This is one of the figures I bought the TOOB for, but I would really love it if Safari produced the same figure at a larger scale.
Protoceratops (Late Cretaceous): Another highlight of the TOOB, a small scale model of the oft wished for Protoceratops. It measures about 3.25” (8.3 cm) long, which puts it at 1/24-1/30 in scale when scaled down from a length of 6.6-8.2’ (2-2.5 meters). That unfortunately means it doesn’t make the cut for a 1/35 collection but if you’re flexible with scale then you’ll undoubtedly love this figure. It is presented in mid-stride with the head looking rightward and mouth open.
The Protoceratops is detailed with a scaly hide and large feature scales across the back. The head is mostly smooth but there are some fine scales on the frill and eppocipitals along its edge. Five digits are sculpted on each forelimb and there’s four on each hindlimb. The head is proportionally large, the limbs are long and lean, and the tail is deep and laterally compressed. The figure represents P. andrewsi, specifically. This figure was given some extra love with its paintjob as it’s a direct homage to the retired Safari Authentics Protoceratops, a vintage figure I’ve long been searching for. The figure is sandy colored with an orange wash. White stripes run down the back, and the body and tail have black speckles.
Stegosaurus (Late Jurassic): Another familiar face but a figure in desperate need for a makeover when compared to Safari’s past TOOB Stegosaurus figures. This figure measures 3.25” (8.3 cm) long, which puts it between 1/77-1/110 in scale when scaled down from a length of 21-30’ (6.5-9 meters). This Stegosaurus is presented in mid-stride with the head looking towards the right and the tail swaying towards the left.
This is a proper, modern looking Stegosaurus, with a miniscule head, 22 alternating plates, the four-spiked tail held aloft, and acceptably accurate proportions. There are four clawed digits on each forelimb when there should be five with only two possessing claws. There are three clawed digits on each hindlimb, which is accurate. The gular armor on the throat is missing but there are nostrils and ear openings, which is impressive at this scale. The body is detailed with large, irregularly shaped scales and the plates and spikes have faint grooves sculpted into them. The figure is gray, with darker gray stripes along the back, and dark gray blended into the plate tips and feet. It’s a subdued paintjob but not bad. Some more vibrant color on the plates would have been nice.
Stegouros (Late Cretaceous): Everyone’s favorite tiny new ankylosaurian, Stegouros has already been made by CollectA, Mattel, and Safari with their standard size figure. But Stegouros only reached a length of 5.9-6.6’ (1.8-2 meters), making a small figure of one highly desirable. This figure measures 2.75” (6.99 cm), which puts it at 1/25-1/28.8 in scale. It’s unlikely you’ll ever get a Stegouros figure smaller than this! The figure is presented in a static pose with the head looking slightly rightward. The name Stegosaurus is accidently printed on the underside. A mix up like that was bound to happen eventually.
This figure displays the proportionally large head, keeled osteoderms, and short tail of the genus. The tail has enlarged osteoderms running along its sides but there are too many of them, there should only be seven pairs. The last several tail vertebrae should be encased within the osteoderms but aren’t and Safari’s standard size figure makes the same mistake. It makes little difference to me though. The figure is finely detailed with a beak, nostrils and ear openings, ridges along the head, wrinkles around the neck, and scales between the osteoderms. The forelimbs possess five digits with the last two reduced, and the hindlimbs possess four, with three being weight-baring. This is accurate. The figure has the same gray colors as the Stegosaurus and the paint application on the dark gray osteoderms looks fantastic.
Torosaurus (Late Cretaceous): If this had been a Triceratops, I might have considered it a boring addition to the TOOB, but it isn’t, it’s the more obscure Torosaurus, a genus that only has a small handful of figures to its name. The figure measures 3.5” (8.89 cm), which puts it at 1/102 in scale when scaled down from a length of 30’ (9 meters). The figure is presented striding forward and veering rightward.
The figure appears acceptably accurate but the hindlimbs look a bit too long and slender and the brow horns are a bit too long and thick. The figure is nicely detailed with a visible beak, the antorbital fenestra highlighted, striations in the horns, scales over the front and back of the frill, jugal horns, and eppocipitals along the frill edge. The body is detailed with fine, pebbly scales, and larger feature scales scattered about. Five digits are sculpted on the hands and four on the feet and these appear accurate, with the last two digits on the hands being reduced and clawless. The figure is the same combination of grays as the last two figures, but the horns are white and the frill is pink with dark gray, semi-circular patterns. The addition of Torosaurus is a clever way for Safari to offer something simultaneously familiar and obscure.
The Safari Ltd. Herbivorous Dinosaurs TOOB presents a diverse assortment of dinosaurs in various scales, from various taxonomic groups, times and places, both familiar and obscure, and they’re all sculpted with an attention to detail and accuracy that we haven’t seen from Safari’s prehistoric TOOBs before. For me, the best figures are the small and mid-sized oddballs: Plateosaurus, Protoceratops, Stegouros, and Borealopelta, but the level of quality assures that I’m not disappointed with any of the TOOB’s offerings.
This TOOB retails for about $14.99, which means that each figure costs about $1.36 apiece, a real bargain in today’s economy! Hopefully this TOOB sells well enough that Safari makes a new TOOB for carnivorous dinosaurs and maybe visits some more adventurous groups, like pterosaurs. Show Safari your support by picking up this TOOB, the first of its kind in over a decade. You’re sure to find something to love inside.
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