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)
4 (3 votes)
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.
Tamandua (Miniatureplanet Vol. 5 by Eikoh)
2.5 (4 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
Ants are a very common and numerous form of recent insects, and so it is no wonder that there is also a variety of myrmecophagus animals. A lot of them, though by far not all, rely on strong claws and long sticky tongues to get their small quarries out of their narrow burrows.
Mini Insects and Spiders (Mini Animals Collection by CollectA)
4 (2 votes)
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.
Alpaca (Premier Series by Yowie Group)
4 (2 votes)
Images by Takama; additional text by bmathison1972
The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is classified as a thoroughly domesticated animal. Even though it has its own species-level epithet, it is merely the domestic form of the vicuña (V. vicugna). The alpaca, along with its vicuña predecessor and the related llama and guanaco, is a South American camel species.
White-tailed Deer, doe (Terra North American Animals by Battat)
3.5 (2 votes)
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)
3.5 (4 votes)
Today I am reviewing a set of five figures I bought specifically for just one of the figures it contains. However, since I have the whole set, I might as well review all five for the Blog! Also, this will be our first review of an entire Wild Republic Polybag collection!
Brown-throated Sloth (Wildlife by CollectA)
5 (4 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is the most common of the three species of three-toed sloth inhabiting Central and South America, and also the most famous of all sloths due to its decidedly adorable appearance. Any sloth toys, sloth storybooks, sloth-themed clothing, or other sloth-themed products you’ve come across in stores are likely to be based on this species.
Exotic Beetles (Play Visions)
5 (3 votes)
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.
Galapagos Land Iguana (Capsule Q Museum: Reptiles Lounge by Kaiyodo)
4.5 (2 votes)
Review and images by Lanthanotus; edited by bmathison1972
“Ugly” and of a “singularly stupid appearance“ were two of the things Charles Darwin had to say about the Galapagos Land Iguana, Conolophus subcristatus. His judgement about their more popular aquatic relatives, the Marine Iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus was not much better, those he describes as the “most disgusting”.
Green Iguana (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)
Tropical Rain Forest Frogs, Part 2 (Real Figure Collection Box by Colorata)
3 (2 votes)
This is the second part of a two-part review of the Tropical Rain Forest Frogs collection box by Colorata. Part 1 covered the Neotropical species. This second part covers the African, Madagascan, and Asian species.
Each figure is a single, solid piece of plastic. Five of the figures in the set come with a habitat-style base, three of which appear to be permanently attached to the base.