“TONI” is the only articulated, nearly complete baby sauropod known to science! The original has been preserved in situ, documenting the unique original articulation of the bones. The specimen is tentatively assigned to the genus Apatosaurus, but exact species designation may not be possible at this time.

This specimen was collected by Kirby Siber and his crew from the famous Howe Quarry near Shell, Wyoming, and prepared and molded by BHI. The original is on display in the Sauier Museum at Aathal-Seegraben, Switzerland. In 2004, Casey Smith, a BHI paleontologist and sculptor molded and cast the in situ original, then painstakingly removed each “bone” from the cast and sculpted the reverse side, so that we could assemble a free-mount skeleton of this unique specimen.

Like most sauropod skeletons, TONI was preserved without a skull. We created a scientifically reconstructed skull based on an adult Apatosaurus skull using our knowledge of ontogeny (how an animal’s physical features change relative to body size).

Because sauropods laid multiple eggs in each clutch, we suggest multiple mounts in different poses to create a “family.” We offer a standing pose, rearing, or as only babies of this species could do – galloping!

Toni is also available as an in situ cast. See “related products” links below.