In addition to being a country, Australia is also a continent, but the continent of Australia is not just composed of Australia itself. The Australian continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and most of the Coral Sea Islands as well as a smattering of other islands.
Classification: Mammals
Hippopotamus, adult (2018) and calf (2020) (Wild Life Africa by Schleich)
4.1 (15 votes)
Review and images by Hippocollector; edited by bmathison1972
Hippopotamuses, or hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius), are very big and funny-looking animals that spend most of their time in water. Don’t let their cute appearance fool you! They are one of the deadliest animals that live in Africa and are very territorial, so it’s not the best idea to roam in their territory, so let’s look at small and safe hippos instead!
Indian Rhinoceros, calf (Wild Life Asia by Schleich)
4.3 (15 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
A baby Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is born after a gestation period of nearly 16 months. Its weight at birth ranges between 80-100 lbs and it can stand up sturdily on its own feet within an hour. The baby is cared for entirely by its mother, who will often trample down tall plants to provide food for her little one.
Rabbit, 2017 (Farm World by Schleich)
4.1 (8 votes)
Hoppy Easter, everybody!
No animal better symbolizes Easter than the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) which was domesticated from the European rabbit (O. cuniculus) at least as early as 1 B.C. The origin of the rabbit in Easter mythology is not completely understood, but it is believed to have started with Germanic Lutherans as a Santa Claus-like figure who judged children as good or disobedient during Eastertide, and rewarded the good ones with colored eggs and candy.
Cryptozoology Designer TOOB (Safari Ltd.)
4.8 (12 votes)
Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972
This article marks my first multiple model (Safari Ltd. TOOB) production! Presented here are 14 figures, 7 original pieces and 7 later re-released with updated paintwork. The Cryptozoology Designer TOOB by Safari Ltd. #677504 was originally released in 2013 with simplistic paintwork, then re-released a few years after retirement with much improved paint schemes for most of the figures.
American Spotted Donkey (Farm World by Schleich)
4.7 (10 votes)
Before I start this review, I would again like to thank the folks at Happy Hen Toys who donated this review sample. Domestic equids are not a focus of mine. I have a few, mostly ancient or feral, horse breeds, and one each mule (Safari Ltd.) and donkey (CollectA).
African Elephant, 2021 (Wildlife by Mojö Fun)
4.5 (11 votes)
Review and images by Kikimalou; edited by bmathison1972
Today we’ll be looking at the 2021 African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) by Mojö Fun. This is the first African elephant by a major western company since 2017, when Papo produced one. As for Mojö Fun, their last African elephant dates back to 2015.
Red Squirrel (Wildlife by CollectA)
4.7 (7 votes)
In keeping with the tradition that I started last year; I’ve decided to once again review an animal native to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. And I’ve had this one in mind for a while. It’s the CollectA 2011 red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and I originally purchased it in August at my local county fair.
Genets, Civets, and Mongoose (Play Visions)
4.6 (5 votes)
Review and images by Birdsage; edited by bmathison1972
Here’s my review of one of the most interesting sets from Play Visions’ Habitat: Earth line of animal figures: the “Civets, Genets & Mongoose” collection from 1998. All of these tube-sized models are between 6.5-8.5 cm (~2.5-3.5 in) long and are marked with a number from 1 to 8, ©, PV, 1998, CHINA, and the name of the figure.
Valais Blacknose Sheep (Farm World by Schleich)
4.4 (8 votes)
For a third review in a row, I must thank the generous folks at Happy Hen Toys who donated this review sample. It is very much appreciated :-). I initially didn’t have any intention to obtain this figure, but now having it in-hand, I am glad I had the opportunity :-).
Abyssinian Cat (Farm World by Schleich)
4.7 (11 votes)
Before we begin, I would again like to extend my thanks to Happy Hen Toys for donating this review sample for the Blog! Happy Hen Toys is a major distributor of animal figures and toys in the USA, and they sell products by Schleich, Papo, CollectA, PNSO, Safari Ltd., Mojö Fun, Breyer, Rebor, Eofauna, and Playmobil!
Galloway Cattle, Cow (Farm World by Schleich)
4.5 (11 votes)
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 Ltd, 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.
Bichon Frisé (Farm World by Schleich)
4.8 (6 votes)
Before I start this review, I would like to extend my thanks to the folks at Happy Hen Toys, who graciously donated this review sample for the Blog! When Schleich first announced their 2023 line-up, I didn’t initially have any desire to get this figure. However, after a walkaround of it was posted on the STS Forum, I decided I might add it to my collection after all.
African Elephant, ‘Everlie’ (Softie Collection by Douglas Cuddle Toys)
3.2 (5 votes)
Review and images by aLeahgator; edited by bmathison1972
Few animals are as iconic of Africa and Asia as the elephant. Elephants are considered as intelligent as primates and cetaceans, and they are easily recognizable because of their large ears and long trunk. African elephant ears have been said to be the shape of Africa, and Indian elephant ears the shape of India.
Chincoteague Pony (Horse Country by CollectA)
5 (4 votes)
I live on Maryland’s eastern shore, part of the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. As such, one of my favorite stomping grounds is Assateague Island, a 37-mile-long barrier island that stretches along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Assateague Island is most well known for its herds of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) known as Assateague horses or Chincoteague ponies.