Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The toucans of Central and South America are some of the most unmistakable birds in the world thanks to their enormous bills and vivid colours. The beautiful keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), also known as the rainbow-billed or sulphur-breasted toucan, is perhaps the most iconic member of this family.
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the world’s small extant bird, possibly the smallest bird ever known (but I am not up-to-date on the full extent of the avian fossil record). It is endemic to Cuba and its surrounding islands, especially the Zapata swamp in the eastern part of the island.
While commonly referred to as the ‘Old World swallowtail’, Papilio machaon has a very wide distribution, widest of any of the Papilionidae, covering most of the Palearctic and into western North America. Part of the species’ success is its tolerance for a variety of habitats and host plants. The butterfly can be found in forests, grasslands, hilltops, Alpine meadows, tundra, wetlands, disturbed areas, parks, and gardens.
Review and images by Bonnie; edited by bmathison1972
As soon as I knew Schleich were releasing a crossbreed featuring a golden retriever I was very excited to see it in real life!
I think this is a really interesting model, as it is the first time Schleich have released a cross-breed dog officially named and in their main dog series!
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!“
“Now, this second day of February, Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, was awakened from his burrow. In Groundhogese, Phil directed the Inner Circle to his Predictive Scroll.”
And thus begins the Groundhog Day ceremony (roughly) as it has begun each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania at Gobbler’s Knob since 1886.
It may come as a surprise to some to learn that cattle were domesticated more than once from the same ancestor. Most cattle breeds that we’re familiar with are known as taurine, or European cattle (Bos taurus) but there are also the zebu, or humped cattle (Bos indicus).
Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972
Happy Holidays everyone! Whatever you celebrate this season, I do hope that it is holly and jolly and fun! Just like this special edition Schleich reindeer model (Rangifer tarandus). Released late in the year of 2021 as part of a holiday special release, it is a festive reindeer model.
Everyone knows that Santa’s sleigh is pulled by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) but with 14 extant sub-species currently described has anyone ever wondered what kind of reindeer are pulling it? Probably not. But according to the 1823 poem (which also gave the reindeer their names) A Visit from St.
Review and images by EpicRaptorMan; edited by bmathison1972
Does the Looney Tunes Roadrunner say “meep-meep” or “beep-beep“? Well, whatever it says the real roadrunner’s call is more of a “coo coo” which makes sense as they are members of cuckoo family, Cuculidae.
Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972
In honor of the American holiday of Thanksgiving, here is a poultry to satisfy any bird lover’s appetite. The Safari Ltd. #242929 turkey (Melagris gallopavo), released as part of their Safari Farm line in 2007 and still in production today, is a marvelous avian figure.
It’s Thanksgiving this week in the United States, and as a result I feel once again compelled to review a turkey, as I did the year prior. Since I didn’t have a plastic turkey for review last year, I went with a plush one instead. Here it is a year later, and I have failed to acquire a turkey since then and now have to resort to whatever turkey I might have lying about.
Although they look very much like pigs, and are sometimes called New World pigs, peccaries aka javelinas belong to their own distinct family, Tayassuidae. Pigs belong to the family Suidae and about 30 million years of evolution separates the two families that together make up the Suina clade. While all true pig species hail from the Old World, all extant peccary species come from the Americas, although the family originally evolved in Europe.
Bumble bees are not uncommon in the toy realm, usually as ‘generic bees’ in bin-style sets. Some have been made by major manufacturers, including Bullyland, CollectA, and Safari Ltd., but none of those are identified at the species level. To my knowledge, there are only two figures of bumble bees attributable to the species level, the golden northern bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) by Play Visions in 1996 and the rusty patched bumble bee (B.
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.
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.
