As strong winds swept across the steppe, vast herds of grazing animals can be seen dotting the landscape. It would be easy to mistake the scene as something out of Africa. After all, rhinos, elephants, big cats, and antelopes can be seen in the distance. But this is not Africa, the vast landscape stretching before us is the Eurasian steppe during the last ice age.
Classification: Mammals
Beluga Whale, adult and calf (Monterey Bay Aquarium Collection by Safari Ltd.)
4.6 (5 votes)
Review and images by callmejoe3; edited by bmathison1972
Today will be the blog’s first time covering the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), a charismatic arctic denizen. The beluga whale is the sole member of its genus, with the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) serving as its only extant relative within the family ‘’Monodontidae’’.
Thoroughbred, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
5 (1 votes)
One of the large mammals that survived the Ice Age is the horse (Equus ferus). As a result of domestication by humans and travelling to Asia, it survived the extinctions in North America, and are now widespread across the globe, helping humans travel across tough terrain and long distances.
Blue Whale (Marine Life by Papo)
3.9 (11 votes)
Review and images by callmejoe3; edited by bmathison1972
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is among the most famous of all cetaceans, as it is recognized as the largest known animal currently living, and likely to have ever lived, on Earth. This whale is alternatively referred to as the ‘’sulfur-bottom’’ due to the growth of diatoms creating a yellowish pigmentation on the ventral body.
Labrador, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
4.5 (2 votes)
You never know how someone is going to affect your day-to-day life. A month ago, someone I knew down my road passed away. He was never a major part of my life, but he was always there, happy to chat about everything and nothing, always accompanied by a black Labrador (Canis lupus familiaris).
African Wild Dog (Safari Ltd. and Mojö Fun)
4.8 (8 votes)
In the vast plains of South Africa, the dry season is in full swing. Animals are in desperate search of food and water as the heat’s mirage play a cruel trick on them.
In the distance, a trio of dark figure move at a steady pace heading towards the edge of the woodland.
Dalmatian, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
5 (1 votes)
Often referred to as man’s best friend, dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) have been a major part of human life for thousands of years, helping us hunt, track, and keep us company, not to mention modern adaptations, such as helping the afflicted live better lives. No wonder Noah’s Pals made two sets of these animals (though I’d rather have had more wild species, but there you go).
Cheetah, standing (AAA)
2.7 (3 votes)
When it comes to land speed records, no living animal surpasses the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). This sleek predator can max out between 50 and 80 mph, allowing it to keep up with prey, although in small bursts. It is one of the largest of the Felinae group, not being a big cat as it can’t roar, only purr.
Bowhead Whale (Sealife by CollectA)
5 (6 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), also known as the Greenland right whale, is the bearer of multiple titles: largest Arctic denizen, largest mouth of any animal, thickest blubber of any animal, and longest baleen plates of any cetacean. It is also thought to be the longest living of all mammals, with a maximum lifespan of more than 200 years!
Tyrol Grey Cattle (Farm Time by CollectA)
5 (4 votes)
As I mentioned when I reviewed the 2020 Papo Highland cattle, I really like cattle breeds. When it comes to the Eurasian stock (Bos taurus taurus), I started with the 2019 Hereford from CollectA, followed by the aforementioned 2020 Papo Highland Cattle, and now the 2020 Tyrol Grey cattle by CollectA.
Pangolin (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)
5 (4 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
In recent years, an uncommon and elusive animal reached quite a reputation, especially due to an increase of advertisement as “the most trafficked animal you didn`t know existed”. Although pangolins have existed in the form of toy animals at least since the early 80’s, and have quite impressive appearances in children’s animal books as by famous Rinaldo D.
Striped Hyena (Wildlife by CollectA)
5 (8 votes)
The spotted hyena is one of the most well-known and popular animals today, thanks to its many appearance in nature documentaries as well as movies. It has become one of those iconic animals that almost everyone knows or at least can identify.
But the spotted hyena is not alone in its family, today there are actually four extant species of hyenas: the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), and striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena).