Europe is a continent consisting of the westernmost peninsulas of Eurasia. It is said to be separated from Asia by a variety of natural features including the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, Ural River, and the Caspian and Black seas, among others. Truthfully though, the boarders between Europe and Asia, geological or manmade, are arbitrary. Europe and Asia are part of the same continent. That said, Europe certainly has a history, culture, people, and natural history distinct from Asia. Today we’re looking at Safari Ltd.’s TOOB celebrating this region that many of our blog’s readers and writers call home.
For this TOOB Safari Ltd. has chosen an assortment of nine animals; two fish, three birds, and four mammals. I was elated when this TOOB was revealed to me as I have a keen interest in European fauna, due in part to my own heritage and because of the interesting ways in which the wildlife there parallels that of North America. Humans have lived in Europe for over 40,000 years and it is the birthplace of western civilization, a culture now found around the world. Despite centuries of agriculture and industrialization Europe’s forests still cover about 37.7% of its land mass, which was once 80-90% covered. Today’s forests are a mix of preserves and plantations, and they still harbor some unique wildlife unlike anything found anywhere else in the world. So, without further ado, let’s look more closely at each of the European species Safari Ltd. has selected for this set.
European Eel: Speaking of the parallels between North American and European wildlife lets consider the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). This species is almost identical to the American eel (A. rostrata) with a difference between the number of vertebrae being the only reliable way to tell them apart. They both migrate from their separate continents to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, and then the larvae travel back to their respective homes. The Safari Ltd. European eel is presented in an undulating posture. It is beautifully painted with a glossy coat of green tones, dark dorsally and pale on the underside. Despite its small size the figure impressively displays various features of the actual eel, including miniscule eyes and a mouth, pectoral fins, fin rays on the caudal and anal fin, underlying musculature, and a defined lateral line. The figure measures about 3” while the actual eel can reach 4’. This puts the figure at 1/16 in scale.
Wels Catfish: The wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is a gigantic species of freshwater catfish native to central, southern, and eastern Europe. Its prowess as an apex predator is legendary. These catfish will consume anything they can capture. They’ve even been observed hunting pigeons along the water’s edge. The wels catfish is one of Europe’s largest freshwater fishes, reaching a length of 6’ or more, although they average smaller. Safari’s figure measures 2.5” which puts it at 1/24 when scaled down from a “modest” 5’. The figure is painted in a glossy olive-green color with a white belly. The eyes are black. Fine details to be admired here include the defined barbels (whiskers), fin rays, lateral line, and underlying musculature.
Western Capercaillie: The western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the largest member of the grouse family and one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring birds. The species is found across the continent but is most abundant in the Palearctic region. The Safari figure represents a male in full display and his many colors are well executed on this diminutive toy. The main body and tail are deep blue, and the wings are two shades of brown with white spots. Red spots on the head represent not the eyes but patches of bare skin, although they’re painted as if they were the eyes. The beak is white, and the feet and base are dark brown. Fine feather details on the figure are exceptional. The western capercaillie reaches a maximum length of 33”. Since this figure is in display it is difficult to determine scale, but the toy is 1.5” long. The figure is roughly 1/16 in scale.
White Stork: Because of their close association with human altered habitats the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) has featured prominently in European folklore. This is the species said to deliver babies. As such, it is a popular animal in Europe and one that has been reproduced in plastic many times. This is Safari’s first figure of a white stork and it’s an essential addition to a TOOB of European animals. The figure stands 2” tall while the actual white stork can reach a height of 39–49”. Scaled down from the maximum height the figure is 1/24 in scale. The figure is white with black flight feathers and wing coverts. The beak and legs are orange, although preferably they would be red. The base is also orange. Fine feather detail abounds and includes the shaggy breast feathers the bird uses for display. Fine scale detail is present on the legs which have been thickened for stability.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: As the name suggests, the Eurasian sparrowhawk’s (Accipiter nisus) range is not limited to Europe. In fact, it is found throughout the Old World, including parts of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, especially during the winter months. This is a fantastic addition to the TOOB as aside from a vintage figure from the 1970’s there are no figures of this species available. The Safari figure is a stunning little fellow too. It has a slate-gray back, white underside, orange breast and feet, and orange eyes with black pupils. It’s a rather intricate paintjob for such a small toy. As usual, the fine details are excellent. The Eurasian sparrowhawk reaches a length of 11-16” with females being larger. This figure measures 2” which puts it at 1/6.5 in scale for a 13” male.
Wild Boar: Now moving onto the mammals in the set we’ll first look at the wild boar (Sus scrofa), a must have in any collection of European fauna. The wild boar is another species not limited to Europe, with a native range extending over most of Eurasia. It is also the wild ancestor of the domestic pig. This figure is an excellent little wild boar, with its high shoulders, and large sloping head complete with visible tusks. Although Safari also makes a standard size wild boar this is a completely new sculpt. It is painted dark brown with black eyes. The tusks are white. The fine details on the face are particularly good. The figure measures about 1.75” which puts it at 1/33 in scale when scaled down from 59” long specimen, the average length of a male boar.
European Badger: The European badger (Meles meles) ranges across almost all of Europe and is one of the continent’s most familiar and common animals. It is also a popular choice for European toy manufacturers, but this is Safari’s first figure of the animal. Somewhat shockingly, this turns out to be my favorite of the European badger figures currently available, absolutely nailing the look of the animal. The figure is short and stocky, with a small head, and nicely executes the wedge-shaped body of the actual animal. The figure is painted dark gray with a white wash over the fur. The face is white with black facial markings. Small details abound and include pads on the underside of the hands and feet. The figure measures 2” in length which puts it at 1/17 in scale when scaled down from a 35” specimen. Hopefully Safari eventually releases a standard sized version of this figure.
Red Deer: The red deer (Cervus elaphus) ranges across most of Europe and into western Asia. The American elk used to be considered a sub-species of it but not anymore. The red deer is the type species from which the entire deer family (Cervidae) gets their name. This figure represents a male, called a stag, and he is in a grazing posture with his head lowered and legs slightly splayed out. He is painted brown with darker brown tipped legs and a white rump and snout. His rack of antlers is quite impressive. The figure measures about 1.75” in length while the actual red deer can measure up to 98”. That puts this figure at about 1/56 in scale. This is an essential addition to the TOOB, although not one of my favorites.
Chamois: Another first for Safari, the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is a striking species of goat-antelope that inhabits the various mountain ranges of Europe. This is another pleasant surprise in the TOOB as there aren’t too many good figures of this species in production. This figure boasts a complex paint job. It represents an animal with a light brown summer coat, as their winter coat is gray. The limbs below the wrists and ankles are gray and the tail is gray too, connecting to a gray stripe along the back. The face is white with a gray stripe across the eyes. The short gray horns hook backwards at their tips. The only thing that appears to be missing is the white rump. This figure measures 2” long. The actual chamois is rather small, measuring 42-54”. That puts this figure at about 1/25 in scale.
Overall, the Safari Ltd. European TOOB is an outstanding assortment of European wildlife both familiar and obscure, with quite a few figures of animals never produced by Safari before, and others that are uncommon or completely new to our hobby. Highlights for me include the European eel, wels catfish, western capercaillie, Eurasian sparrowhawk, and European badger. But everyone will find something to love in this TOOB. I adore these regional themed TOOBS from Safari and their importance as educational toys for children should not be understated. The Safari European TOOB is new for 2023 and can be purchased soon from Safari’s website.
Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude towards Safari Ltd. for kindly sending along this figure as a review sample.