It’s Halloween and what better way to end our spooky season than by looking at one of its most symbolic animals, the common raven (Corvus corax). The common raven ranges around the northern hemisphere and lives in all the varied habitats therein. As a result, it also features in the varied mythologies, folklore, and religions from wherever it lives.
Black Widow (Fun World by Easter Unlimited, Inc.)
1 (1 votes)
For my final Halloween post, I am reviewing a figure that was specifically sold as a Halloween novelty toy! I am referring to the black widow (Latrodectus mactans) by Fun World, which is a Division of Easter Unlimited, Inc., a novelty shop that sells seasonal and holiday-themed toys, décor, and costumes.
Black Cat, sitting (Schleich Farm by Schleich)
3.8 (4 votes)
Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972
In keeping with the Halloween theme for the upcoming holiday, here is presented the Schleich #13004 sitting black cat (Felis catus). This model was released in 1984 in the early days of the company as part of the Schleich Farm series and was later discontinued in 1997.
Vampire Squid (MIU Deep Sea Odyssey 1 by Kaiyodo)
5 (2 votes)
For this review, I deep dive for our October scary theme, and talk of blood sucking horrors, Vampires. In the deepest parts of the ocean, where even the sun fears to shine, live creatures of a frightening and ghoulish nature. One of these creatures floats silently through the waters, looking for prey to devour.
Gray Wolf, mother and pups (Boxed Sets of Wild Life by Schleich)
3.7 (3 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
Wolves (Canis lupus) are burdened with an unjustly sinister reputation for a variety of reasons and one is the centuries-old myth of werewolves. One most frightful tale is that of Peter Stubbe, ‘the Werewolf of Bedburg.’ In 1589, he confessed under torture to having received a wolfskin belt from the Devil that allowed him to transform into “the likeness of a greedy, devouring wolf, strong and mighty, with eyes great and large, which in the night sparkled like fire, a mouth great and wide, with most sharp and cruel teeth, a huge body, and mighty paws.” I will not go on to describe the many horrific crimes Stubbe committed, or the equally horrific punishment that was meted out to him on October 31, but suffice it to say, you shouldn’t read the entire story if you’re squeamish.
Castor Bean Tick (3B Scientific)
5 (2 votes)
For my next instalment of creepy critters for October, I decided to review the castor bean tick (also known in Europe as the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus) by Germany-based 3B Scientific. I also chose this figure because it’s my forum avatar, and I have never presented it here.
European Robin (Wild Animals by Papo)
5 (5 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
Probably even the most urban European citizen can instantly recognize the European robin (Erithacus rubecula) by its striking red breast. So it a small wonder it took the toy companies so long to produce a figure of this small bird.
River Monster Collection (Toy Fish Factory)
4.3 (3 votes)
Thalassophobia is defined as the fear of deep and vast bodies of water, and the unseen creatures that lurk in them. Even if you don’t suffer from this phobia, I dare any person to look out upon the surface of any large body of water and not wonder about what strange and potentially dangerous creatures lurk unseen under its surface.
Scorpion (Wild Animals by Papo)
5 (5 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
Today I want to introduce you to a creepy crawly that is probably even more abhorred or feared than its close relatives, the spiders. Where I live this is mainly an abstract fear, as there are no scorpions here as of yet (let’s see what climate change brings us within the next 20 years).
Killer Bee (Insect Predators by Trendmasters)
3 (1 votes)
Today is my second contribution to the ongoing October theme of presenting ‘creepy and scary’ critters on the Blog. Today I will be reviewing the ‘killer bee’ (Apis mellifera) by Trendmasters. It was released in 1993 as part of their Insect Predators collection. The collection also included a scorpion (unidentified, but presumably the emperor scorpion, Pandinus imperator), the giant stag beetle (Lucanus elaphas), a wasp (Bembix americana), a mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus), and the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina).
Dark Ghostshark (Alien Sharks by Discovery Science)
3.4 (5 votes)
So the call went out among us bloggers which, admittedly, I don’t get to on here very often. But the suggestion was made for a ‘Hallowe’en’ theme–spooky, scary animals that might fit in with the season. I don’t generally have a lot of ‘traditional’ animals that might fit the bill (rats, bats, black cats, gnats…I got carried away, sorry).
Chain Kingsnake (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)
4.7 (3 votes)
Continuing onwards with our look at creepy creatures all through October, I present to you… a snake. Snakes as a group are among the most feared and misunderstood creatures on the planet, two adjectives that often go hand-in-hand. As such, snakes are synonymous with Halloween and an obvious choice for review during spooky season.
Brain-eating Ameba (Giant Microbes)
4.3 (3 votes)
Halloween often conjures up images of brain-eating zombies. Well, I am covering the closest thing in nature to that concept, the brain-eating ameba (Naegleria fowleri) by Giant Microbes! I should start off by saying these toys belong to a friend of mine at work (who is also our medical director for parasitology), as I don’t collect plush toys myself.
Giant Anteater (Wild Life America by Schleich)
3.5 (11 votes)
The evolution and adaptation of one group can result in a burst of adaptation in other, completely different ones. Take the adaptation of eusocial insects, forming colonies, hives and the like. This is a largely Cenozoic adaptation, not well documented before the extinction of the dinosaurs. Forming together can help, but it can be the opportunity for a feeding frenzy for another.
Southern Bent-Wing Bat (Animals with Superpowers by Yowie Group)
4.5 (2 votes)
For most people Halloween is one day a year, for me and my family it represents a month-long celebration of all things spooky. So, for October I’ve decided to share some of that spookiness here with reviews of some classic creepy creatures. The sort of creatures that make most peoples skin crawl or are associated with bad omens and superstitions.