Everglades TOOB (Safari Ltd.)

The Everglades is a subtropical and tropical wetland spanning 7,800 square miles (20,000 km2) in central and south Florida in the United States. Water from the Kissimmee River south of Orlando feeds into Lake Okeechobee and then continues south into Florida Bay. Although mostly marsh and flooded grassland the Everglades also run through cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, coastal prairies, and mangrove forests.

Florida has the 3^rd highest population in the United States and as a result much of it has been cleared for developments and agriculture. The Everglades have suffered heavily from this and roughly 50% of it has been altered for human purposes. Although efforts are underway to preserve what’s left and restore some of what has been lost, the Everglades are still threatened by pollution, invasive species, and rising sea levels. A portion of the Everglades are protected as a National Park. Encompassing 1,508,976 acres (6,106.61 km2) it is considered the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River.

Today we’re looking at Safari’s TOOB celebrating this unique and biodiverse region. The Everglades TOOB was released in 2023 and contains 11 figures of animals that call the region home. For this TOOB Safari has chosen 1 fish, 4 reptiles, 2 birds, and 4 mammals.

Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus): Members of the gar family (Lepisosteidae) are some of the coolest fishes around. Now found only in North America, gar have a fossil record dating back to the Jurassic, and fossil evidence shows that they once lived on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. Seven species are alive today and for this TOOB Safari has appropriately chosen the Florida gar, which can be found throughout Florida and into Georgia. The figure measures 3.5” in total length which puts it at 1/9 in scale when scaled down from the maximum length of 34” that the Florida gar can attain.

Fine details on this figure include nicely executed facial features, a complete covering of ganoid scales (in life these scales are coated in ganoine, a crystalline mineral), and fin rays that even branch off at their tips. The figure is painted dull greenish silver with dark splotches, including on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. It is dark dorsally with a pale underside and the eyes are green with black pupils. The paint application is exceptional.

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox): Softshell turtles are known from North America, Africa, and Asia and get their name from their leathery carapaces that lack scutes and have pliable edges. They’re almost entirely aquatic and with their snorkel-like nose and long necks can breathe from the surface while staying submerged and often buried in soft substrate. The Florida softshell is found across the entire state of Florida as well as in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. They are the largest species of softshell in North America with a maximum carapace length of 30”. The TOOB figure has a carapace length of just over 1.5” which puts it at about 1/19 in scale.

Fine details include its snorkel snout, fleshy lips, and webbed hands and feet complete with five digits but with only three claws on each, which is accurate. The body is dark brown with a paler underside while the carapace is chocolate brown with dark spots. The plastron should be white or gray but is also brown. The carapace should also have some knobby bumps but is completely smooth on the toy. No biggie in either case, it’s a small toy, I’m just being thorough.

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi): The eastern indigo snake is a colubrid found in most of Florida, southwestern South Carolina, southern Alabama, and southeastern Mississippi. They are extirpated in Louisiana. Eastern indigos are non-venomous but are not constrictors either, they subdue their prey by simply overpowering it. The eastern indigo is the longest snake native to the United States with a maximum recorded length of 9.2’ though they tend to average about 5’ in length. The Safari figure measures about 6.5” along its many coils which puts it at 1/16 in scale when scaled down from the maximum length of the species.

The Safari indigo snake has a complete covering of scales, including wide belly scales along the underside. Even the facial scales appear to adhere to the physiology of colubrid snakes but I’m not going to examine them close enough to see if they accurately match an actual eastern indigo. Suffice to say, it’s impressive, especially since many small snake figures just have cross hatching across their body. The figure is entirely metallic silver in color which is a close match to the iridescent blue-black scales they have in life. Eastern indigos often have a reddish-orange chin, cheeks, and throat but that is absent here.

American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus): Many people don’t realize that crocodiles live in North America. They assume that North America is only home to alligators. This is not true. The American crocodile lives in northern South America, Central America, along the coast of Mexico, many of the Caribbean Islands, and south Florida. These crocodiles are saltwater tolerant which has allowed them to expand their range and become the most widespread crocodile species in the Americas. Currently there are an estimated 2,000 living in Florida. American crocodiles average 9-13’ but exceptionally large specimens approach 19’ in length. The TOOB figure measures 4.5” which puts it in the 1/24-1/50 scale range.

There are very few American crocodile figures available which makes this one a welcome addition to the TOOB. Hopefully its existence means we’ll get a standard size American crocodile in the future, which is sorely needed. The figure is exceptional, with a narrow snout, exposed teeth, clearly defined digits, detailed osteoderms along the back, and plate-like belly scales on the underside. The figure is painted dull green with a gray wash on the underside.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis): Perhaps the most essential addition to the TOOB. American alligators need no introduction, there are plenty of figures of them and many of them have been reviewed on the blog. They are basically the mascot for Florida as a whole and Safari’s mascot as well. Of course they aren’t just found in Florida, their range covers much of the southeastern United States as well as a portion of Mexico, but nowhere are they as symbolic as in Florida. The American alligator has an average length of 11-15’. This figure measures 4.5” which puts in the 1/29-1/40 scale range. For those that collect 1/35-1/40 scale dinosaurs both this and the American crocodile should have some appeal.

Safari has produced many TOOB alligators over the years. They had an entire TOOB dedicated to alligators! But this is a completely new sculpt, and better than all its predecessors. Like the crocodile, there are detailed osteoderms along the back, precise scale detail elsewhere, plate-like belly scales, well executed facial anatomy, and clearly defined digits. For children especially it is great to get this figure paired with the American crocodile as it nicely illustrates the differences between the two species.

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana): The wood stork is the only stork species (family Ciconiidae) that breeds in North America. They live in wetlands in much of South America, Central America, the Caribbean islands, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. These birds stand 33-45” tall and have a 55-71” wingspan. The figure stands about 2” tall which puts it at about 1/22 in scale.

The head and neck are bare, with wrinkled gray skin. The pointed beak is orange with a hooked tip. The plumage is mostly white, but the wing feathers are tipped in black. The tail should also be black, but it’s mostly obscured here and left white. The legs below the ankles are orange which is the same color as the base it’s standing on. The legs have been thickened for stability, but the figure does come with a piece of plastic wedged between them to prevent warping or breakage within the TOOB.

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis): The snail kite is an accipitrid found in much of South America, portions of Central America and the Caribbean Islands, and south Florida. It is an endangered species in Florida, with less than 400 breeding pairs. It suffered heavily due to habitat loss and was one of the first species added to the U.S. endangered species list, in 1967. Their diet is almost entirely made up of apple snails. With the introduction of the large South American snail Pomacea maculata into Florida the populations there have begun evolving larger bodies and beaks to tackle this new prey source. It’s a textbook case of rapid evolution. Snail kites measure 14-19” long and have a wingspan of 39-47”. The Safari figure measures about 2.25” which puts it at about 1/8 in scale.

With its steely blue-gray plumage this figure represents a breeding male. His black-tipped orange bill is strongly curved, to aid in prying snails from their shells. His eyes are vibrant red with black pupils. The feet are painted orange, and the figure is resting on a tree stump. The stump and base are the same color as the bird and there’s some sloppy paint application on the feet, but the figure is excellent overall and the feather detail is exceptional.

North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): Now it’s time to look at the mammals included in this TOOB. Honestly, none of them are terribly exciting when compared to what we’ve covered so far. Most of them have excellent standard size figures to their name. But to properly exemplify the Florida Everglades their inclusion is necessary, and Safari has made some smart choices about what to include. While otter toys are abundant the North American river otter needed a good small-scale toy and Safari has delivered that with this one. This species is found through most of Canada and Alaska and along the coasts and inland waterways of most of the continental U.S. River otters average between 2.5-5’ in total length while the Safari figure measures 3.5”, putting it in the 1/8.5-1/17 scale range.

This figure is presented with a sleek appearance and moving about in an undulating posture. Fine details include small holes for the whiskers on the muzzle, pintsize rounded ears, distinctly defined digits, and fur etched into the figure. It is rather lifelike for its size, and I think it’s better than the Schleich European otter that I reviewed last year! If Safari did a standard size version of this figure, I would definitely buy it, but at this scale it should still fit in well with most collections. This is easily my favorite mammal figure in the TOOB.

American Black Bear (Ursus americanus): Historically the black bear ranged across almost the entire North American continent, from Alaska into Mexico and from coast-to-coast. Its range is now greatly diminished in much of middle North America but it’s still widespread and abundant elsewhere, including in the Everglades. Florida even has its own subspecies of black bear, U. a. floridanus, which also occur in portions of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Adult Florida black bears average 4-6’ in length and stand 2.5-3.5’ at the shoulder. Safari’s figure measures 2.5” long and stands 1.5” tall at the shoulder. Using length, it comes out to be 1/19-1/28 in scale.

This is a fine little black bear toy, and I think I might prefer it over Safari’s mainline version. If Safari wanted to scale it up that would be great. It just feels better proportionally, and I like the forward sloping back and rounded features. Details include a little ruff of fur around the cheeks and detailed claws and footpads. The entire figure is black except for the tan muzzle.

Florida Panther (Puma concolor): This mammal is as essential to the TOOB as the alligator. The Florida panther represents the only confirmed population of cougars left in the eastern United States with a population of roughly 200 animals. It was once considered its own subspecies, P. c. coryi, but is now considered to be the same subspecies as North America’s other cougars, P. c. couguar. They can reach 7.2’ in total length and stand up to 28” at the shoulder. This figure is 3.5” long and stands 1.25” at the shoulder. Using length, it comes out to be 1/24 in scale.

Lots of cougar figures exist and there are even other TOOB figures by Safari. In 2023 alone Safari produced two cougars, this one and a standard size figure. That makes this addition a little less exciting but as said, it is an essential addition. The figure is tawny brown in color with a white underside. Fine details include sculpted toe pads and dark brown facial markings. The eyes are yellow with black pupils but the eye alignment on my copy is off. The tail is tipped in dark brown. It’s a fine figure for what it is. It’s presented in a low striding pose with an appropriately lean build and decent proportions.

Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris): The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West-Indian manatee and is found along the Florida coast but has been spotted west along the coast of Texas and as far north as Massachusetts. The other subspecies, the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus), is found in the Caribbean. The West Indian manatee is the largest living species of sirenian and can reach an average length of 8.9–11.5’ with the largest individual documented having reached 15’. The figure measures 3.25” long which puts it in the 1/40 scale range.

Mantees are another iconic mammal of the Everglades and although there are a lot of good manatee figures available this new sculpt from Safari is pretty darn good too. It has a barrel shaped body with a small head and fleshy lips. The flippers have little fingernails, and the tail is accurately rounded. Skin folds are present around the neck, flippers, and along the underside. The figure is painted dull light brown with a bit of a gray wash over the underside and green splotches along the back.

Overall, this is a fantastic TOOB. Many of the figures in this TOOB represent the first figures of their species. They include the Florida gar, Florida softshell turtle, eastern indigo snake, wood stork, and snail kite. Others like the American crocodile and North American river otter are rare in our hobby, and these sculpts are some of the best ever of those animals. Even the more commonly made animals like the American alligator, Florida panther, black bear, and manatee are spectacular representatives of their species. Most importantly, every animal chosen is symbolic of the Everglades. The Safari Everglades TOOB is currently in production and retails for about $14.99. Safari has really been ramping up the quality of their TOOBs over the last few years and this one is among their best ever. I can’t wait to see what they do next!