The Japanese giant mantis (Tenodera aridifolia) is a large mantid distributed in Japan, Taiwan, and China. There has been some confusion on the taxonomic identity of this species, as the Chinese mantis (T. sinensis), which is more familiar to most casual observers and non-specialists, was originally described as a subspecies of T.
Wild Boar (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
3.8 (8 votes)
An adaptable, intelligent animal, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) was already a successful species long before it was domesticated and transplanted around the world by humans in the form of the domestic pig (S. scrofa domesticus). Naturally, they range across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, where they thrive in a variety of habitats.
Giant Panda, male 2017 (Wild Life by Schleich)
4.5 (10 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
A conservation icon, a beloved zoo attraction, and a star of a hit animated franchise, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is quite possibly the most immediately recognizable animal on the planet. Naturally then, it has enjoyed countless toys over the decades, including this 2017 figure courtesy of Schleich.
Common Pheasant (Wild Animals by Papo)
4.8 (6 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
The bird life of Middle Europe generally does not flaunt too much color, although if one looks closely there are a few corlorful species, as the gold finch or the green woodpecker. A fairly common species in middle European fields and meadows nowadays is the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus).
Sunda Slow Loris (Miniatureplanet Vol. 19 by Eikoh)
3.4 (5 votes)
Review and images by stemturtle; edited by bmathison1972
The Sunda slow loris, Nycticebus coucang, was released in 2020 by Eikoh, Miniatureplanet, Vol. 19. This strepsirrhine or prosimian occurs in, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia (Borneo, Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra). It probably shares a distant ancestor with the African potto.
Emperor Dragonfly (Wild Animals by Papo)
5 (4 votes)
Today I am continuing the 2020 Papo arthropods with the emperor dragonfly, Anax imperator, a species distributed throughout much of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and west-central Asia. Anax imperator belongs to the family Aeshnidae, which includes the green darner (A. junius), which is common here in North America and is the more-commonly made species of the two.
Reindeer (Wild Life by Schleich)
4.3 (4 votes)
Review and images by suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The holiday season is upon us once again after what has been a truly difficult and tragic year for everyone on planet Earth. And there are still more hardships lying ahead of us in 2021. We must all stay safe, strong, calm, well-informed, and above all, hopeful.
Reindeer (Early Learning Centre)
3 (1 votes)
Well, the holiday season is upon us, and Christmas is just around the corner, so I thought I’d do a review of an animal that is quintessential to the holiday. And I can think of no better than the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), famous for carrying Santa’s sleigh.
Ladybug (Wild Animals by Papo)
4.3 (3 votes)
In 2016, Papo released their first two arthropods, a European wolf spider (a.k.a., tarantula) and a fat-tailed scorpion, which probably represent the best spider and scorpion figures outside of Japan (and the wolf spider may just be the best spider figure, period!). For someone like me who, at the time, only collected arthropods, this was a welcome sign!
Red Swamp Crayfish (Living Things Series by Fujimi Mokei)
4.7 (3 votes)
Today I am reviewing a model kit by Fujimi Mokei in their Living Things Series collection. The subject of the review is the red swamp crayfish (also called the Louisiana crayfish), Procambrus clarkii, which is No. 24 in the series. The kit was released earlier this year. Forum member Isurus reviewed another model kit in this series, the Chinese mantis, although that review featured a walkaround of the final, painted product whereas mine will take the reader on a step-by-step assembly process!
Butterflies to Go (Club Earth)
5 (1 votes)
I recently completed a Holy Grail collection, so I thought to share it on the Blog. I am referring to the Butterflies to Go collection by Club Earth. I am not sure when it was released, but it was probably alongside the classic Play Visions collections in the late 1990s. The set consists of 12 species of butterflies.
Pacific Oyster (AAA)
5 (4 votes)
I’ve always had a fascination for my local wildlife and since moving to the U.S. state of Maryland I’ve taken a special interest in the local fauna here, including the unassuming but economically and ecologically important oyster. Although the Chesapeake Bay is most well known for its blue crabs (which I’ve covered before), the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a significant local animal as well.