Endangered Species Reptiles Box (Colorata)

Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972

Colorata is a Japanese company that has been around for several decades. The internet and global market made their models available to the world outside Asia and the quality of their products made them desirable collector items. A lot of Colorata’s figures have been released as parts of a box, set, of which there are quite a lot to choose from, “fossil fish”, birds of prey, sharks, dinosaurs, cats and a lot more. Let’s have a look at their reptiles box here.

The stable and re-closeable box was released in 2004 and christened “Endangered Species Reptiles” but exactly how the choice of species was done remains unclear. The guide book that comes with the box states that a lot of species are threatened by human activities and some face the threat of extinction. While this undoubtedly is true, the description for each species also lists their IUCN Red List status correctly, and so three species of the box are of Least Concern (LC), while one is not even considered by the IUCN (Boa constrictor). Surely to some people`s surprise the tuatara (Sphenodon sp.) is considered as LC.

All the figures are made of white/transparent plastic and fully painted. It may be important to note, that it seems Colorata updated the colors somewhen during the lifetime of the whole product as I found a lot of images of differently colored figures of the set. Some of the figures are made from more than one part, but they come assembled and securely glued. There is obviously no consistency in regards of the scale of the figures. All figures have their species name written no their underside. Now, let’s have a look at the figures…

1. Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)
Measurements: 3.7 cm (direct length of figure), 2.2 cm (height)
This is the smallest figure in the box and one of the most accurate. It is finely sculpted and intricately painted. Considering the natural variation of the pattern in this species and its changing with age, the paint job is the most accurate and includes the rarely seen underside. Not many figures of this African tortoise are to choose from and this is probably the best you can get.

2. Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Measurements: 7.4 cm (direct length of figure), 3.6 cm (height)
This is probably the species that was model for most giant turtle figures. Colorata went with a smooth carapace which is nice to see, as in contrast to most zoo turtles, the wild ones indeed often have a carapace that is smoothed out, only showing the growth patterns on close inspection. This is only indicated here by the paint job. The eyes may be a bit on the big side, but other than that it is a fine figure. However, I’d have liked to see another giant tortoise with a more remarkable carapace, as the Galapagos saddleback.

3. Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)
Measurements: 7.8 cm (along body), 1.4 cm (height)
Rarely made as a figure despite its popularity. This one has very nice and accurate body and tail; unfortunately, the head, especially the angle of the mouth, makes the figure look like a derpy fish. The Kaiyodo one is definitely better, however the Colorata figure surely makes a better toy for the material used.

4. Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Measurements: 12.7 cm (along body), 3 cm (height including base)
Strikingly painted, this figure is a real eye catcher. The half base with the red crab surely adds some luxury to this. The scales on the legs are unfortunately so weakly sculpted, that they are barely visible and give the legs an unfitting smooth surface. Other than that this is really a well made figure. The color shows it is supposed to be a male A. c. venustissimus from Española Island.

5. Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)
Measurements: 8.2 cm (along body), 7.2 cm (height including base)
In short, the best rendition of this animal that you could find (at least when looking it up on webstores or toyanimal.info). Certainly a male for its high helmet, and as far as it can reasonably get accurate in terms of the paint job. Careful observers however will notice that the feet are incorrect. Front and hind feet each show four toes, while chameleons have five (front: 2 facing outside, 3 inside, hind: 3 facing outside, 2 inside).

6. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Measurements: 14.2 cm (direct length of figure), 2.2 cm (height)
This is probably my most favorite Komodo dragon figure, especially for this size. Upright but low slung, heavily built and sharp clawed, this figure transports the determination of this ambush hunter better than any other figure for me. The head may not be the most accurate compared with all the figures of this species around, and the tail only in few individuals is that short, but it still is a very good figure.

7. Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Measurements: 17.5 cm (along body), 1.6 cm (height)
Maybe the weakest figure in this set for its lack of bulk. The rump is just too skinny, but most bothering is the emaciated tail. Which is a real shame as the head and neck makes it clear that Colorata knew how to discriminate a salty from a Nile crocodile. Still a great toy, but at least out of Japan the whole box is not that cheap to get to consider it a toy item for real playing.

8. Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor)
Measurements: 5.3 by 5 cm („diameter“), 1.5 cm (height)
A nice sculpt and somewhat accurate paint job, at least regarding the pattern. The color however is a bit over the top and should be more brown and beige than red and white. Nevertheless, this is a striking snake figure and rare in toy figures, especially when taking in account the popularity as a species; this one is worth consideration as a part of your collection.