Animal figures to get

[Sim]

Thanks for specifying that the Safari figure in the photos is the MBA version.  I've just compared it and the Papo to the Wild Safari version in its ATB review and they all look very good to me.  I think the one I'll get is the Papo version as I like its larger size and open mouth.

[JimoAi]

The Papo one is easily the best and the fact that it beats Japanese brands in detail and quality is saying something

As far as sharks go I think western brands often do better than the Japanese brands. That's just sharks though, not other fishes.

Well, almost as Hammerheads and Tigers have it better in Japan. The best Hammerhead is the Colorata one which works as a smaller adult and the Kaiyodo one for the tiger though the Colorata one too works as a smaller adult male compared to safari ltd's great white and some large cetacean figures

[Gwangi]

The Papo one is easily the best and the fact that it beats Japanese brands in detail and quality is saying something

As far as sharks go I think western brands often do better than the Japanese brands. That's just sharks though, not other fishes.

Well, almost as Hammerheads and Tigers have it better in Japan. The best Hammerhead is the Colorata one which works as a smaller adult and the Kaiyodo one for the tiger though the Colorata one too works as a smaller adult male compared to safari ltd's great white and some large cetacean figures

That's why I said "often". As in, often but not always. Japanese companies also tackle a lot of smaller and more obscure shark species.

[JimoAi]

@Gwangi in general Japan handles small and medium species better but western brands tackle the large ones better

I made a list for reference of some popular species and which company did them best but it's limited to if they have a western and Japanese counterpart

Great white shark: Safari ltd 2016

Whale shark: Papo

basking shark: collectA

Tiger shark: Kaiyodo

Blacktip reef shark: Kaiyodo

Whitetip reef shark: Kaiyodo

Scalloped hammerhead: Colorata

Pelagic thresher: Ikimon

[Sim]

I'm thinking about getting a rattlesnake figure.  I was looking on the Toy Animal Wiki and the ones by Schleich, Mojo and Papo are not identified as any species.  I know Safari's 2023 version is identified as a western diamondback rattlesnake.  I would have gone with Safari's (whenever it became available to me...) but I think it's too big for me.  Lanthanotus's ATB review for the Schleich figure says the figure is a western diamondback rattlesnake, but it looks so different to Safari's and what I've seen of this species.

Can anyone shed some light on which species the Papo, Schleich and Mojo figures represent, or if they are just figures made without any species in mind?  I would also like to know if any of these rattlesnake figures is more accurate than the others.  From the limited information I know, Safari's seems the most accurate, but it's too big for me.  I'm not keen on bendable figures, although the Papo looks good.  The one I like the most though is Mojo's, it looks quite organic.

[bmathison1972]

I have the Papo rattlesnake and am using it as a western. I grew up in Arizona and saw them in the wild! 
There is enough variability between eastern and western rattlers at this scale you can probably use Papo, Mojo, and Schleich for either one or the other. The key features separating them are not captured in a figure of this size.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

  Probably my favorite group of snakes! Here is my group portrait for my collection topic early...


If I may... while not being expert in reptiles by any degree, this is the snake I am also most familiar with as Western diamondbacks and prairie rattlers were my local species most often seen growing up.

They vary a lot on color and patterns in the wild, and to me none of the above (Schleich, Mojo, Papo) can really be classified as ONE species or another. I know of no phenotypic nor anatomical features present to sway one way or another IMO. The new Safari I am expecting to be about the size of the boa from the same series, and it is probably the best rattler so far but it has the advantage of the larger size.

If it were me, I think I would pick Mojo. I like the aesthetic better than the Schleich, and you said you aren't a fan of the bend-ability of the Papo.

[Sim]

I can't decide which ribbon eel figure to get, the Colorata or Kaiyodo.  Is one better than the other?

[Saarlooswolfhound]

I can't help on this one. Both look nice though.

[SerAndrew]

Kaiyodo is way better than Colorata.
Also, probably much more expensive and rare.

[bmathison1972]

I don't think the two are so different that one can say one is 'way better' than the other. Individual Colorata figures can be very hard to get however.

[sbell]

I can't decide which ribbon eel figure to get, the Colorata or Kaiyodo.  Is one better than the other?

I would say get whatever one you can find first for a reasonable price.

[Sim]

I was describing my extant animal figure collecting on the Dinosaur Toy Forum today and afterwards I've come to the realisation that there are a few extant mammals I'd like to have figures of.  So with regards to my favourite mammals:

Nine-banded armadillo
The only appealing figure of it I've been able to find is the Schleich 2024 version.  The other figures of it all look quite old...  Is the 2024 Schleich the best version of this species?

Seven-banded armadillo
There appears to be no figures of this species...

[Gwangi]

I was describing my extant animal figure collecting on the Dinosaur Toy Forum today and afterwards I've come to the realisation that there are a few extant mammals I'd like to have figures of.  So with regards to my favourite mammals:

Nine-banded armadillo
The only appealing figure of it I've been able to find is the Schleich 2024 version.  The other figures of it all look quite old...  Is the 2024 Schleich the best version of this species?

Seven-banded armadillo
There appears to be no figures of this species...

The Schleich 2024 figure is the one I'll be getting, it's really the best option. Currently I have a Safari TOOB figure that isn't terrible.

[bmathison1972]

Schleich 2024 really is the only option now, no? All others in the standard-sized range are retired (?). I have the older Schleich version. I don't think one is particularly better than the other, so if you find the old one hard to get (which it is), go for the new one.

[Sim]

I was reading @sbell's review of the Bandai alligator gar and became interested in this species and its family.  I've looked into which gar figures are available, and I intend to get the Favorite Cuban gar, but I'd also like an alligator gar.

Are the following figures authentic or knock-offs?
1. https://collectiblewildlifegifts.com/fish-aligator-gar-museum-quality-hand-painted-rubber-fish-realistic-toy-figure-model-replica-kids-educational-gift-6-ch465-bb151/
2. https://www.amazon.com/Alligator-Atractosteus-Reproduction-CH017-BB71/dp/B07BQ41GFT
3. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374860050710

Also, is there a better alligator gar figure?

[sbell]

I was reading @sbell's review of the Bandai alligator gar and became interested in this species and its family.  I've looked into which gar figures are available, and I intend to get the Favorite Cuban gar, but I'd also like an alligator gar.

Are the following figures authentic or knock-offs?
1. https://collectiblewildlifegifts.com/fish-aligator-gar-museum-quality-hand-painted-rubber-fish-realistic-toy-figure-model-replica-kids-educational-gift-6-ch465-bb151/
2. https://www.amazon.com/Alligator-Atractosteus-Reproduction-CH017-BB71/dp/B07BQ41GFT
3. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374860050710

Also, is there a better alligator gar figure?

Hey @Sim

Those are all recasts. The Favorite figures come on a carded package, and always with the base.
I have a few knock off ones as well as the complete real set...part of me almost prefers the ones that have no bases.

The Manjuari is probably the best larger gar figure...of ones that are or were commercially available.

Quite a while back I posted about the gars (and bowfin) in my collection at the time (there's been a number of additions since then: https://faunafigures.com/2022/03/03/figuretales-288-clades-holostei/

For currently available alligator gar figures, the Colorata is probably the nicest for a slightly larger figure (none as big as the Favorite). In small ones, the recent Florida gar in the Safari toob is a pretty decent gar model, and I'll stand by the high standard of the Takara gator gar, and the joints aren't too bad.

[Sim]

Thanks Sean!