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!
Harpy Eagle (Wild Life America by Schleich)
3.9 (19 votes)
Review and images by Fembrogon; edited by bmathison1972
I would like to start by offering my genuine thanks to Happy Hen Toys for this generously offered review sample. Happy Hen toys is one of the best current retailers for extant & extinct animals alike, from brands including CollectA, Mojö Fun, and of course Schleich.
Galloway Cattle, Cow (Farm World by Schleich)
4.5 (12 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)
4.9 (7 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)
3.4 (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.
Alligator Snapping Turtle (Wild Republic – Living Stream by K&M International)
4.2 (11 votes)
Review and images by Fembrogon; edited by bmathison1972
Turtles and tortoises don’t seem to get the same bad rap their reptilian relatives have historically suffered; perhaps their slower nature, omnivorous diets, and long lifespans have endeared themselves to human sensibilities better. Not all testudines are harmless, however, and as a kid who liked his predators, I was always most enamored with the big-beaked, carnivorous snapping turtles.
Dog Heartworm (GPI Anatomicals)
5 (4 votes)
Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!
All major holidays have various symbols associated with them, such as a Christmas tree for Christmas, a turkey or cornucopia for Thanksgiving, a four-leaf clover for St. Patrick’s Day, or a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. There is no doubt that the heart has become the most popular symbol associated with Valentine’s Day, and what better way to celebrate such as association on the Animal Toy Blog with an animal that lives in the heart (or at the very least, the pulmonary vessels) of its host!
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.
Dutch Warmblood, ‘Get Rowdy’ (Traditional 1:9 by Breyer)
5 (7 votes)
Review and images by Harecraft Horses; edited by bmathison1972
A very beautiful and exciting arrival to introduce, first – one of the 2022 ‘mid year’ releases, although that term is a little bit laughable when they arrive right at the end of the year (or sometimes into the following year) in my country!
Lobster Moth, caterpillar (Diversity of Life on Earth – Caterpillars Vol. 2 by Bandai)
3.5 (10 votes)
For the most part, adult moths in the family Notodontidae (commonly referred to as the ‘prominents’) are relatively drab moths, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. There are exceptions, of course, but in general they are fairly non-descript (to the casual observer) brown and grey moths typical of those seen at a porch light on a warm, humid summer’s eve.
American Bison, 2022 (Wildlife by CollectA)
4.9 (18 votes)
Some years ago, I was driving around some rural backroad in the Finger Lakes region of New York when I rounded a corner and was greeted by a herd of roughly 70 American bison (Bison bison). Big, imposing, and majestic, my heart skipped a beat. I was not expecting to see a herd of bison in New York.
Bullet Ant (Diversity of Life on Earth – Ants by Bandai)
5 (5 votes)
The bullet ant (Paraponera clavata) is a notorious insect from the rainforests of Central and South America. It is often regarded as having one of the most painful stings of any insect, and currently has a rating of 4.0+ (the highest possible) on Schmidt’s Sting Pain Index.