Before we begin the review, I would like to extend my gratitude towards Happy Hen Toys for sending this figure along as a review sample. Happy Hen Toys is a U.S. distributor of figures by Safari, Papo, CollectA, Schleich, and other companies significant to our hobby. In the case of CollectA they’re often the only place that sells their products at a reasonable price within the United States. I’ve bought many products from them in the past and am thrilled that they’re now collaborating with the Animal Toy and Dinosaur Toy Blogs.
The blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius “azureus”) is a color variant of the dyeing poison dart frog (D. tinctorius) and was once considered its own subspecies. It is found in Surinam where it lives a diurnal and active lifestyle and prefers rocky habitats close to water. Thanks to its stunning blue color it is a popular frog in the pet trade, as well as a popular choice among toy manufacturers with figures by Bullyland, Papo, Safari, Club Earth, Colorata, K&M, and Schleich, among others. Today’s review is for Schleich’s latest take on the frog, new for 2023.
The blue poison dart frog is large by dart frog standards, measuring 1.5-1.75” (4-4.5 cm). The Schleich dart frog has a head-to-rump length of 2” (5.08 cm), making it slightly larger than 1/1 scale. In the wild blue poison dart frogs produce pumiliotoxins (PTX) for self-defense. Just handling the frog can cause pain, cramping, and stiffness. Ingesting PTX can cause convulsions, paralysis, and death. Dart frogs acquire their toxins from the invertebrates they consume, including fire ants, centipedes, and mites. In captivity, living on a diet of non-toxic fruit flies, springtails, and baby crickets, dart frogs are harmless to humans.
The Schleich blue poison dart frog is presented in a static posture. It correctly displays the high-arched back of the species and possesses the correct number of digits, four on the forelimbs and five on the hindlimbs. These digits are much thicker than they would be in life, but this makes sense for a toy. The body is covered with a fine, bumpy texture. The corners of the mouth are turned up in a slight little smirk but it’s not so obvious as to be off-putting.
The figure is mostly blue in color, but Schleich does a decent job of varying up and blending different blue tones together with the back, flanks, and throat being lighter in color than elsewhere. The vibrant blue coloration is an example of aposematism, a warning to would-be predators of the animal’s toxicity.
Black splotches and speckles of various sizes adorn the back and in life the number and shape of black spots can vary greatly. The shape, size, and distribution of black spots on this figure appears to be the most complex out of the various figures of this frog that exists.
Although many blue poison dart frogs have been produced over the years only a couple of them are still in production, so this new one from Schleich is a most welcome addition to their line-up. In addition, it’s also the best figure of this species that is currently available. This figure did not initially register on my radar much but having it in-hand, and comparing it to other examples of the species, it is a figure I’m happy to have in my collection. If Schleich wanted to repaint this toy to make other color variants of this species, that would be totally acceptable and welcome. Other examples of the species incorporate yellow into the blue and black, and some are almost completely black and yellow without much blue coloration. Having them all together would make for a fantastic display. The Schleich poison dart frog is currently in production and widely available in stores and online. If you’re in the U.S. you can buy it directly from Happy Hen Toys, here.
Another Schleich figure that looks better in ‘real life’ pics rather than promo pics. I might have considered this one if I didn’t already have a nice representative (as you said, it’s a well-represented species in toy form).
When I was a kid I had the Safari Baltimore Aquarium one but it is long gone. I wouldn’t mind having it back but this one will suffice.
Although it’s large for a dart frog, this still seems like a pretty small toy – so I’m rather impressed with how nicely the details have come out!
Makes me think I should have done comparisons. I always do that on the DTF but not always here, for some reason.
This one is on my list.
This figure was such a pleasant surprise when I saw it irl. I went to my local toy store for the galloway cow and I ended up bringing this little guy home.
It’s a really great figure and I got this one for the blue version because I don’t like that Papo’s different colour morphs all have the same sculpt.