This figure is the Japanese Dolly Varden (also known as Miyabeiwana or Miyabe Char in Japan), Salvelinus malma miyabei, a Secret Figure from the first series revised release (so, the third release of series 1 for those keeping track). I believe it is numbered #17 in the set, although it is based on model #2.
White-spotted Char (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book, Series 1, revised by Yujin)
4.8 (4 votes)
This figure is the White-spotted Char (also known as iwana in Japan), Salvelinus leucomaensis, number 02 from the first series. This salmon and trout relative is a fish found in East Asia, and can be landlocked or ocean-running. As with many Japanese fish models (though not all) it is widely fished for.
Chimpanzee with baby, 2010 (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
5 (4 votes)
This toy (#295929) was released in 2010, the same year Safari Ltd retired an earlier and very similar sculpt of a chimpanzee with baby (#272229, released 1998). So, in effect, this model was a direct replacement, and a notable upgrade.
The young chimp is piggybacking on the adult and convincingly looks like it’s clinging on tightly.
Weasel (Wild Safari North American Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
4.7 (6 votes)
Today we’re looking at the Safari 2020 weasel, part of their North American Wildlife Collection. Safari’s website doesn’t specify the species, just that it belongs to the Mustela genus. The Mustela genus contains about 18 species, including the domestic ferret, European mink, stoats, and the least weasel…the smallest member of Carnivora.
Hummingbird (ChocoEgg Series 6 by Furuta)
4 (3 votes)
This miniature in the ChocoEgg Series 6 by Furuta is usually listed under the broad name “hummingbird”, so that’s how I’m listing it in the title here, but some websites specify it as the swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macoura, a species of hummingbird from South America. However, since the figurine lacks many of the distinctive characteristics of that specific bird, not least a forked swallow-like tail, something is clearly amiss, and that’s why I was reluctant to adopt the specific name at face value.
Tiger Shark (Sea Life by Schleich)
4.2 (5 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
To close out my Schleich figure reviews, I would be looking into their tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). They are the largest of of the requiem sharks, averaging 400-550 cm from snout to the tip of the caudal fin. They are found in tropical and temperature waters and are characterized by their squarish snouts and stripes on their body, which give them their name.
Blue-Footed Booby (Wings of the World by Safari Ltd.)
5 (5 votes)
At the start of the year, I received an email notification from Safari Ltd. that they would be having a 50% off sale on their already discounted, discontinued figures. Not only were some of these figures now up to 75% off but this was also my last chance to get them, I didn’t squander it.
Meerkat (ChocoEgg Series 6 by Furuta)
3.7 (3 votes)
Here’s a walk-around of the miniature meerkat figurine from the ChocoEgg Series 6 by Furuta. I previously shared this on the Animal Toy Forum, where member Isidro commented that it looks like it has a meerkat body and ring-tailed lemur face. Brontodocus also commented that its pose and size is nearly identical to the Play Visions ‘Civets & Mongooses’ meerkat.
Mini Garden Birds (Archie McPhee)
4.8 (4 votes)
Archie McPhee is a store based out of Seattle, Washington known for quirky and unusual novelty toys and kitsch gifts. They also have an online store. Among many of the products sold by Archie McPhee, which can include anything from rubber chickens to bacon-scented air freshener, to finger puppets, are a decent selection of toy animals.
Ayu (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book, Series 1, revised by Yujin)
5 (5 votes)
Author’s note: Back in 2015 I wrote a series of walkarounds depicting and describing the breadth of the Yujin Freshwater Series, AKA Yujin Primary Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book. At that time, each species was described in brief, each figure was described in brief, and a number of photos were included. Some were updated with variants as I found them in my hunts—or updated when I learned more about them!
Andean Condor (ChocoEgg Series 6 by Furuta)
3.7 (3 votes)
This will be the first of several brief posts I’m planning to migrate over from the now-defunct Animal Toy Forum Walk-arounds section. The posts were originally just intended as walk-arounds on the forum so I don’t have much to say in addition to the photos, or if I do have thoughts, I don’t have the time to articulate my comments right now.
Domestic Muscovy Duck (Farm Life by Papo)
4.9 (7 votes)
The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a species of duck endemic to the American tropics, from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay. The Muscovy duck was first domesticated in Brazil, prior to European discovery in the late 1490s. It was bred primarily for meat and today it is often referred to as a Barbary duck in a culinary context.
Malayan Tapir (Wildlife by CollectA)
4.7 (6 votes)
Review and images by caipirasuchus; edited by bmathison1972
Tapirs (family Tapiridae) are cool. Their curious proboscis, big size, and somewhat prehistoric appearance made them very charismatic creatures. It’s not surprising that tapirs are very common in pop culture, at zoos, and as toys. What’s surprising is that nobody reviewed this animal here in ATB until now.
Braunvieh Cattle, Cow (Farm World by Schleich)
5 (4 votes)
From the Alpine region of Switzerland come the Braunvieh cattle, a dairy breed that has its roots in the Bronze Age and the breed for which the oldest herd book is known, spanning the years between 1775 and 1782. Braunvieh is German for “brown cattle” and the breed is also known as the Swiss Brown.
Saltwater Fish (Mini-verse Mini Lifestyle by MGA)
4.5 (4 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
I always have a love-hate relationship to blind bag/box figures. On one hand it’s thrilling to try to get what you want, but if you’re on a budget, it can be a nightmare especially if the figure you want isn’t appearing despite spending a lot of money.