Here, we see a rather surprising critter, a rodent from Europe that defied expectations. Here is the tale of the Bavarian Pine Vole (Microtus bavaricus): Once found only in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, the species was last seen in 1962, and the site it once inhabited was demolished in order to build a hospital.
Author: Sirenia
I'm Daniel Waite (aka ‘Sirenia’ on the Animal Toy Blog/Forum and ‘Indohyus’ on the Dinosaur Toy Blog/Forum). Ever since I was young, I would love any chance to see animals. Whether it’s visiting Safari parks, zoos, farms or local parks, I would love seeing animals around, doing what they did. Though I skewed towards ancient species later on, I still kept my love for extant species alive. I’ve had many pets, including dogs (my greyhound River is in the photo), cats, ferrets, mice and goldfish. I liked collecting many animal figures over the years, often from my trips to zoos and safari parks, resulting in a vast menagerie of models. As a result, my reviews can come with a heavy feeling of nostalgia. Hope you enjoy!All reviews by this author
Mountain Goat, Pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
4 (3 votes)
When someone or something is capable of scaling mountains and sheer heights, they are said to be “Sure footed as a mountain goat”, and it is well earned. The Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) is a capable of scaling heights in spite of lacking claws or anything for grappling, across the alpine and sub alpine areas of the Rockies mountains.
Falkland Islands Dog (Yowie Forgotten Friends Series A by Cadbury)
3.5 (2 votes)
The canid family has produced some incredible species, though many are no longer around. Here we have one such, the Falkland Islands Dog. Related to Maned Wolf, this canid was isolated to the Falkland islands (perhaps unsurprisingly) and was likely the apex predator, as it lacked fear. This could be seen when sailors could get them to eat out their hands… usually before hitting the animal and killing it.
Red Gazelle (Yowies Forgotten Friends Series A by Cadbury)
4 (2 votes)
Africa is an amazing continent, full of incredible species throughout the history of the world. Many are sadly no longer extant, lost to time, often as the result of human expansion. Such is the case with the Red Gazelle, found in Algeria, all that is now left of this species are a few specimens…..
Mountain Nyala, Pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
4.6 (5 votes)
Africa is a land of amazing creatures, whether in the Savanna or the highlands, you will find life. In central Ethiopia, in the high altitude woodlands, you will find one beautiful species, the Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), shy creatures found browsing in small herds at high altitudes.
Roan Antelope, Pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
4.7 (6 votes)
Though a wastebasket taxon, antelopes are still an endearing group, filled with many similar yet diverse species. There are several large members of this group, and this review will show one in the top 5 of these, the Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus). Found in Southern, Western and Central Africa, they are only smaller than the eland, male Kudu and Bongo, showing them as sizeable creatures.
Passenger Pigeon (Yowies Forgotten Friends Series A by Cadbury)
4 (1 votes)
It is always tragic when humans in avertedly cause an animal to become extinct, whether because we didn’t know how limited the population was, destroying habitats or releasing animals that the ecosystem isn’t prepared for. What is intolerable, however, is when a species is rare and humans actively wipe the majority out.
Koala (Southern), Pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
2.7 (3 votes)
Dropbears. The deadliest mammals in the outback, dropping down on unsuspecting prey!! This terrifying creature……. is not real, but it does make for a fun way to mess with people. The real animal is the laid back Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), a eucalyptus eating marsupial in Australia. There are a few subspecies of this creature, with the Southern being the largest, found in South Australia and Victoria.
Paradise Parrot (Yowies Forgotten Friends Series A by Cadbury)
2.5 (2 votes)
Australia is home to numerous species of parrot, from the Gallah to the sulpur-crested Cockatoo. Many are now quite rare as a result of humanity, but most are now protected and hopefully will recover. Sadly, this isn’t the case for all of them, as one species no longer exists among them, the Paradise Parrot.
Winged Argonaut (Kurosio Komekko Series 1 by Kaiyodo)
5 (4 votes)
Of the various classes of animals, Cephalopoda is among the smartest and most intriguing, the tentacled forms having taken many forms over the millennia. Often there are shelled forms, like the ammonites and Nautiloids. Another, coming from the same groups as octopus, are Argonauts, or paper nautiluses, as the shelled females have very brittle shells, where as the males lack shells.
Choiseul Crested Pigeon (Yowies Forgotten Friends Series A by Cadbury)
4.3 (3 votes)
The age of Imperialism truly wrecked the ecosystems of the world. Of all of these, island ecosystems were the most at risk, as the animals there were often unique and unable to deal with humanity and the creatures that often accompanied them. The island of Choiseul in the Solomon islands is one such example, as it was once home to the spectacular Choiseul Crested Pigeon, a relative of doves that was endemic only to Choiseul.
Australian Magpie (Yowies Series 2 by Cadbury)
4.5 (2 votes)
The evolution of life is a curious thing. You never know what is going to become a forgotten twig on the tree of life and what will be the start of large branches. When fossils of dinosaurs were found, I imagine most were sad that no relatives exist today. However, it turns out one group did, and they are all around us today: birds.
Masked Lapwing (Yowies Series 3 by Cadbury)
3.5 (2 votes)
The wetlands of the world are great places to witness a variety of life. Birds are common here, wading and collecting food among the silt and water. This review will look at one from the southern hemisphere, the Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), a common animal in New Zealand and Australia, adaptable and able to live in open fields, wetlands and even arid environments.
Giant Tube Worm (MIU Deep Sea Odyssey 2 by Kaiyodo)
5 (3 votes)
“Life will find a way.” These words, spoken in the Jurassic Park franchise, are so poetic and beautiful in their simplicity. They are also very true, as, no matter where you are in the world, there is liable to be life, even in the most inhospitable locations. Thermal vents in the pelagic zone seems a bad spot to live in, yet life has found a way to live in this harsh environment and reap the benefits, such as this review’s subject, the Giant Tube worm (Riftia pachyptila), an annelid that lives by these vents, harvesting the minerals they spew out.
Chimpanzee, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
2.3 (3 votes)
Humans, despite our technology and power, are still just another mammal. Specifically, we are primates, related to many of the ape family. Of all of them, we are most closely related to the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), found in Eastern Africa, they are known for intelligence, tool use and (at least in the UK) adverts for tea.