In recent years, the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) has seemingly exploded in popularity. It has become a mascot for people that admire or emulate its laid-back, solitary, inactive lifestyle. In addition to that, it’s also unquestionably adorable. This popularity, no doubt accelerated by the internet, movies, and TV shows, has generated a glut of sloth themed merchandise.
Monarch (Wild Animals by Papo)
Today I will be continuing the reviews of Papo’s 2020 arthropods with the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus. This is one of 5 insects (6 arthropods total) produced by Papo in 2020. Interestingly, it is the only arthropod in their entire collection to-date that is not naturally European, given that Papo is a French company (more on that later).
Giant Armadillo (Authentics Rainforest by Safari Ltd.)
Originally I was going to cover another bird in my next review but then it hit me, I haven’t reviewed a mammal since April with the Safari Great Lakes Toob, and I haven’t reviewed a standalone mammal figure since November 2019! So, to remedy that fact I decided it’s mammal time and that I would have to cover at least one before moving on to my more traditional subjects.
Butterflies to Go (Club Earth)
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.
Centipede (Hyde and Eek! Boutique by Target Brands)
Bonnethead Shark (Wild Safari Sealife by Safari Ltd.)
In my last review I touched on the diversity of the hammerhead family Sphyrnidae while covering a toy representative of the family’s largest member, the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran). Today we’re covering another member of that family, but one that is quite different from the great hammerhead and from what we think of when we think of hammerheads in general.
Great Hammerhead Shark (Kid Galaxy)
Although there are a plethora of toy hammerhead sharks out there very few of them identify the toy as anything more specific than a hammerhead. Most people probably don’t even realize that hammerhead is not a specific species of shark but rather an entire family of sharks (Sphyrnidae) that includes 9 distinct species.
Centipede (Little Wonders by CollectA)
For a while, CollectA lumped their terrestrial arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians under their ‘Insects’ collection. That collection is now referred to as Little Wonders and has two subcategories: Insects and Spiders and Reptiles and Amphibians. I have always loved CollectA’s insects and spiders. Unlike their ungulates and dinosaurs, they are not always the most exotic or unusual species, but I always like their solid design, paint applications, non-gloss finish, and texture.
Mini Insects and Spiders (Mini Animals Collection by CollectA)
Ever since CollectA started releasing collections of mini dinosaurs based on their larger and standard-size dinosaurs, I knew that if they ever released a set of mini arthropods, it would represent miniature versions of their Insects and Spiders Collection. I was correct. I was not expecting it 2020, but at least I had figured out their plan.
White-tailed Deer, doe (Terra North American Animals by Battat)
Intraspecific competition has resulted in a variety of species evolving phenomenal anatomical features in order to sort the adults from the juveniles (so to speak). This results in many examples of male creatures being put into toy production, owing to amazing plumage or impressive antlers or horns. This does, however, result in showing the sexual dimorphism of their female counterparts, which do not receive as much attention in figure form.
Wilderness Series 1 Polybag Collection (Wild Republic by K&M International)
Exotic Beetles (Play Visions)
This is a review of the set Exotic Beetles, released by Play Visions in 1998. This is was one many small theme-based sets released by Play Visions in the mid-to-late 1990s, and one of 6 that were arthropod-centric. Today Play Visions figures are among the most sought-after by collectors! This review today is a glorified version of one of my forum walkarounds, but I wanted to introduce Play Visions to the Blog.