The Goliath beetle, Goliathus goliatus, is often regarded as the largest insect, at least in terms of weight (and if not this species, then one of its congeners). Goliath beetles have been reported as weighing upwards to 100 grams. The genus is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, and G.
Sahara Desert TOOB (Safari Ltd.)
4.7 (7 votes)
The Sahara Desert covers about 25% of the African continent and is the largest hot desert in the world, with an area of 3,600,000 square miles (9,200,000 km). This immense ecosystem is made up of sand dunes, some of which are 500’ tall, stone plateaus, sand seas, gravel plains, dry valleys, and sand flats.
Tardigrade (Unknown Company)
3.8 (4 votes)
Review and images by Fembrogon; edited by bmathison1972
There probably aren’t many invertebrates – especially outside of arthropods like insects and spiders – which could be considered legitimately “famous” on one level or another, compared to the broader popularity of backboned animals. One exception among invertebrates is the tardigrade, a microscopic ten-limbed oddity that sits in a group of its own, distinct from other animals.
Chimpanzee, 2013 male (Wild Life Africa by Schleich)
4.5 (4 votes)
Walk-around of the Schleich Wild Life 14678 male common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes (Blumenbach, 1776). Snout-vent length is approx. 67 mm, so the scale is something between 1:10 and 1:14. The human figure (European Father by Miniland “Los Amigos del Mundo”) is approx. 1:13 – 1:14 scale. There are only a few chimpanzee figures I really like and this is actually the first I have in my collection.
Honey Bee (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)
3 (3 votes)
Walk around of the honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 by Safari LTD for their Incredible Creatures line, originally released in 2006. What is surprising about this figure is that it is the ONLY insect to ever be released in the Incredible Creatures line, and it would be the only terrestrial arthropod if not for the recent sinking of the old Hidden Kingdom line into the IC line (of course, the only remaining figures in that line are the monarch, black widow, orange-kneed tarantula, and revamped scorpion).
Green Anaconda (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)
4.9 (10 votes)
The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the heaviest species of snake in the world, and one of the longest. It is also one of the most familiar and feared species of snake. In capturing the human imagination the anaconda has become the subject of pulpy adventure novels, and B grade monster movies that have perpetuated many tall tales about its maximum size and potential man-eating abilities.
Zebra, 2018 Mare (Wild Life Africa by Schleich)
4 (6 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
One of the most famous and most recognizable of all equids is the zebra of Africa, of which there are three recognized species: the plains zebra (Equus quagga), the mountain zebra (E. zebra), and the Grevy’s zebra (E.
Black Rhinoceros (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
4.8 (4 votes)
The trotting Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Wildlife 228929 black or hook-lipped rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis (Linnaeus, 1758). Snout-vent length is approx. 121 mm and shoulder height 65 mm, so the scale is between approx. 1:21 and 1:27. The human figure (man from Safari Ltd People in Motion TOOB) is approx.
Indian Peacock (Wildlife Asia & Australia by Schleich)
3.7 (3 votes)
Review and images by Sam; edited by bmathison1972
Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) are beautiful birds that hail from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. On January 31, 1963, it was declared the national bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. The males are known as “peacocks” and the females are known as “peahens.” The peacocks are famous for their eyespot plumage, which they fan out to attract mates.
Giraffe, baby (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
2 (5 votes)
Picking subjects for the “Savanah Summer” can often be a tall order. I can often be sticking my neck out trying to pick the best of Africa’s finest. This time though, it’s been easy to choose: I am finally covering the Giraffe (Girrafa camelopardalis). The tallest animals on the planet, these graceful creatures can grow to 18.7 ft tall and are found across Africa.
Razorback Sucker (Marsh Education by Safari Ltd.)
5 (5 votes)
It is my great pleasure today to introduce my readers to one of my holy grail collectibles, the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) by Safari Ltd. This figure is one of a set of 6 produced by Safari Ltd. for the Marsh & Associates Native Fish Lab, all of which represent endangered fishes native to Arizona, USA.
Jewel Beetle (Puripura by Model Innovative Creation)
3 (2 votes)
Chrysochroa fulgidissima is a colorful metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) from Japan. It goes by Yamato tamamushi in Japanese which roughly translates to ‘jewel beetle’. Historically, it was believed to be more widespread in Southeast Asia, but populations from Korea, China, and Vietnam have been described as new species.
Elephant Bull, Standing (AAA)
3.7 (3 votes)
Another “Savanah Summer” and, much like last year, I’m bringing out the big guns! In Africa, there is no bigger than the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana). At 13ft tall and over 10 tonnes in weight, it is the true heavy weight, and take the title of largest land animal with ease (even though giraffes are taller).
Black-backed Jackal (Wildlife Collection by CollectA)
4.6 (5 votes)
The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a fixture of the east and southern African landscape. Usually seen skulking around the periphery of kills made by Africa’s much larger predators. Although regarded as lowly scavengers at the bottom of the predatory pecking order jackals are cunning, resourceful, and successful little generalist predators.
Flea (Smithsonian Insects by Safari Ltd.)
5 (2 votes)
Fleas are one of the most medically important groups of arthropods, probably only second to ticks and mosquitoes. They are vectors for many disease-causing agents, including those that cause plague, feline rickettsiae, and endemic typhus, and can serve as intermediate hosts for a few tapeworms. The Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, was a driving force in the spread of the Black Death pandemic in the 1300s.