Now becoming increasingly rare, the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has had a long history with humans, often being trained to do work; especially in India. They are also the closest living relative of the extinct woolly mammoth. Though we usually think today of the Asian elephant as a denizen of the Far East, such as in India, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, historically in classical and ancient times they also roamed stretches of modern-day Iran and even nearly as far west as the northern part of Palestine, near Syria.
Life Cycle of a Honey Bee (Tarlin)
4 (1 votes)
Today we are looking at an interesting collection from a company called Tarlin (I must admit, I had never heard of them before learning about this set). The set, which came out recently this year, is simply called ‘Bees’ and features developmental stages and brood chambers of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera.
Gray Whale (Maia & Borges, Schleich, Mojö Fun, Unknown Company)
4.7 (3 votes)
Review and images by callmejoe3; edited by bmathison1972
Today’s review will cover the Northern Pacific voyager, the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus). The gray whale is a very well-known mysticete due to frequent sightings during whale-watching tours along the American west coast. Gray whales were also known as the ‘’Devil-fish’’ due to the aggression they display when defending against whalers and natural predators.
Gorilla, baby sitting with banana (AAA)
2.3 (3 votes)
Primates. The order of which humans and our closest related species belong to. One of the groups that we are also included in are the great apes, the largest being the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). These magnificent African apes are critical endangered and need protecting. It has many, many figures of the species made.
Monitor Lizard (AAA)
5 (4 votes)
Don’t worry, this is not a case of déjà vu, I did indeed review a AAA monitor lizard already. But AAA produced several monitor lizards and this one, although it’s probably the same species as the last one I reviewed, is substantially different. The last time I reviewed one of these I admitted that I was unsure what species it was supposed to be.
Saiga Antelope (Wildlife by CollectA)
5 (4 votes)
As strong winds swept across the steppe, vast herds of grazing animals can be seen dotting the landscape. It would be easy to mistake the scene as something out of Africa. After all, rhinos, elephants, big cats, and antelopes can be seen in the distance. But this is not Africa, the vast landscape stretching before us is the Eurasian steppe during the last ice age.
Firefly (Chick-Fil-A Properties, Inc.)
2 (3 votes)
Walkaround of a novelty food premium, a firefly by Chick-Fil-A Properties, Inc., originally released in 2014. I like food premium figures. They are often unique, original releases, that tend to disappear quickly after being released. As such they are often difficult to obtain and over time may fetch a bit of money to acquire them!
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Wildlife by CollectA)
5 (3 votes)
Review and images by suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) was one of the largest woodpeckers in the world and certainly the largest to inhabit North America. Tragically, after relentless decades of hunting, pollution, and deforestation, this magnificent bird is largely believed to have gone the way of the thylacine and the quagga.
Beluga Whale, adult and calf (Monterey Bay Aquarium Collection by Safari Ltd.)
4.3 (3 votes)
Review and images by callmejoe3; edited by bmathison1972
Today will be the blog’s first time covering the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), a charismatic arctic denizen. The beluga whale is the sole member of its genus, with the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) serving as its only extant relative within the family ‘’Monodontidae’’.
Thoroughbred, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
5 (1 votes)
One of the large mammals that survived the Ice Age is the horse (Equus ferus). As a result of domestication by humans and travelling to Asia, it survived the extinctions in North America, and are now widespread across the globe, helping humans travel across tough terrain and long distances.
Blue Whale (Marine Life by Papo)
4.1 (7 votes)
Review and images by callmejoe3; edited by bmathison1972
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is among the most famous of all cetaceans, as it is recognized as the largest known animal currently living, and likely to have ever lived, on Earth. This whale is alternatively referred to as the ‘’sulfur-bottom’’ due to the growth of diatoms creating a yellowish pigmentation on the ventral body.
Centipede (Hyde and Eek! Boutique by Target Brands)
3 (1 votes)
OK, this is a rather fun and goofy review to celebrate Halloween! I often like to do reviews of obscure or unusual figures, or neat figures of odd or unfamiliar brands. Today I bring you the review of a centipede, gen. sp. by Target Brands, as part of their Hyde and Eek!
Labrador, pair (Noah’s Pals by Caboodle! Toys LLC)
4.5 (2 votes)
You never know how someone is going to affect your day-to-day life. A month ago, someone I knew down my road passed away. He was never a major part of my life, but he was always there, happy to chat about everything and nothing, always accompanied by a black Labrador (Canis lupus familiaris).
Kiwi (Wildlife by CollectA)
5 (3 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
Today I want to introduce you to the figure of another instantly recognizable bird. But again, despite its worldwide popularity, the choice of figures is comparably few. The more welcomed is CollectA’s 2015 release.
“Kiwi” derives from the native Maori language and – as quite common in bird names – refers to the call of the animal.
Edible Crab (Marine Life by Papo)
5 (3 votes)
Today we are looking at the edible crab (Cancer pagurus) released just this year by Papo. This is an exciting figure. It is Papo’s first crustacean, and only the second crustacean in a Western company’s ‘Sealife/Marine life’ line following CollectA’s 2019 king crab (I am not counting figures in the Incredible Creatures line by Safari Ltd.).