The northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) is among the most widespread otariids of the North Pacific. This species, like other ”fur seals”, is more closely related to sea lions than to ”true seals”. This species is mostly pelagic, living across the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Sea of Okhotsk.
Sea Slug Chopstick Rests (Rainbow)
5 (2 votes)
Nudibranchs, also known as sea slugs, are fascinating creatures. They come in a very wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, making them very popular with biologists, aquarium hobbyists, and collectors of toys representing interesting and unique animal taxa. There are over 3,000 valid described species! There have been several nudibranch-centric sets made over the years.
Chambered Nautilus (Prehistoric by CollectA)
5 (7 votes)
In 2020, CollectA started adding invertebrates to their Prehistoric line, including the trilobite Redlichia and the cephalopods Orthoceras, Passaloteuthis, and Pleuroceras. Interestingly, there were two extant invertebrates released that year as well, the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) and the subject of today’s review, the chambered nautilus, Nautilus pompilius, also known as the emperor nautilus.
Dog-faced Puffer (Earth Life Journey by Epoch)
4.3 (3 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Pufferfish and porcupinefish belong to the order Tetraodontiformes, which also includes the ocean sunfish, spikefish, file and triggerfish, and the box and cowfish. They can be found in marine, brackish, or freshwater environments depending on the species (porcupinefish are only in marine environments) and are characterised by their ability to ‘puff up’ when threatened.
Killer Whale, adult and calf (Monterey Bay Aquarium by Safari Ltd.)
3.9 (7 votes)
For the author’s overview of this species, please see this review
Despite many killer whale figures having been produced, it has been about 2 years since I’ve last covered this species. Most of them tend to fall short of my standards, but maybe things will be different for the Monterey Bay Aquarium series that rarely leaves me disappointed.
ASSASSIN FANG Venomous Snakes (Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
5 (2 votes)
I’m a little late to the Hallowe’en party this year…but better late than never. And in that spirit, here’s a set of animals that, if you mess with them, ‘late’ could be your proper adjective. Animals that as a group tend to create a visceral if generally unnecessary fear and loathing, even though most are harmless.
Aquatic Museum (Wing Mau)
5 (1 votes)
Review of the complete set Aquatic Museum by Wing Mau. While in recent years, it appears Wing Mau is producing and marketing figures by Play Visions, Club Earth, and K&M International, this appears to be an original set of theirs. The set consists of six species of crabs native to Japan and surrounding areas, one of which is a unique figure (see below).
Spiny Lobster (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)
5 (4 votes)
Walk-around of the California spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus (Randall, 1840) by Safari LTD, Incredible Creatures, released in 2018. The figure is not marketed at the species level, but given its morphology, color, and that it was originally hinted at being North American, P. interruptus is the most-likely candidate.
Blue-ringed Octopus (Water World by Bullyland)
4.6 (7 votes)
When I was in high school, I did a report on the top 10 most venomous animals in the world, based on an article in one of the nature magazines I was subscribed to at the time. I don’t remember what the article’s criteria was for determining the ‘most venomous’ (potency?
Kidako Moray (Enoshima Aquarium 3D Atlas Anima Series 2 by Kaiyodo)
5 (2 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
The Kidako moray (Gymnothorax kidako) is a species of moray eel inhabiting coral reefs in subtropical and tropical seas around western to central Ocean Pacific area from Taiwan to Polynesia, including Hawaii, and from south Japan and Korea to New Caledonia.
Sharks of the World Box Set (Colorata)
3.5 (6 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Happy Shark Week to everyone who loves sharks! This is the time of year where TV programs go out of their way to showcase shark-based programs, most notably Discovery Channel and National Geographic. These programs help open the doors to knowledge on these animals and help the general public understand, instead of fear, these misunderstood creatures, although some programs may over sensationalize rather than give true facts.
Blacktip Reef Shark (Marine Life by Papo)
4.8 (4 votes)
The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is one of the most recognizable sharks, a staple in aquariums that frequents shallow coral reefs in the wild, which makes it popular among tourists and SCUBA divers. The blacktip reef shark is a generally timid species with only 11 unprovoked attacks and 21 attacks total to its name, none of them fatal.