Recommendations for non-mammalian figures to expand my collection?

[callmejoe3]

Hey guys. I want to continue contributing new reviews to this blog, but I'm starting to see that the non-cetacean part of my collection is starting to restrict itself to retired toys from the same two brands, and that's gonna get boring fast. Some of my more interesting figures are already reviewed/reserved. There are plenty of mammals that aren't in my collection, but I already have a good grip on what's available in the market and which ones I want to get. However, for non-mammals, I have yet to do as much research on which ones are worth adding. So if anyone has any recommendations for reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and invertebrates you want to see covered on the blog, feel free to drop as many recommendations as you can.

Criteria

I have no strict criteria for specific scales for most animals. It generally depends on the figure at hand. Generally, for animals similar to or bigger than a human, I would prefer scales between 1:15-1:70. For smaller animals, like certain fish or insects, larger scales are fine.

No problem with figures that are on bases, not a fan of figures that require assembly, but that's contingent on the animal at hand and the quality of the figure.

As far as diversity. I'm aiming for say 1-2 figures per genus, a few more per family. Anything from a flatworm to a crocodile.

As far as quality, I of course would like figures that I currently considered one of the better or best representations of a given species or genus.

No strong preference for manufacturers, just as long as it's accessible to purchase and ship to the U.S. and doesn't cost too much more than say $50 per figure.

[bmathison1972]

I guess the first question is, what are your criteria for collecting? Diversity? Quality? Certain scale? Are you opposed to figures on bases? Figures that have to be assembled? So many possibilities depending on what you like or don't like.

[callmejoe3]

I guess the first question is, what are your criteria for collecting? Diversity? Quality? Certain scale? Are you opposed to figures on bases? Figures that have to be assembled? So many possibilities depending on what you like or don't like.

@bmathison1972

Updated original post. I generally have no strong preferences outside of the specified guidelines.

[bmathison1972]

I am not one for self-promotion but have you seen my synoptic collection thread: http://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=2715.0
many of these are among the best for their given species. And I live in the US, so getting these in the US was not a problem (many of the Japanese figures came from eBay dealers in Japan, but shipping to the US normally isn't a problem).

[callmejoe3]

I am not one for self-promotion but have you seen my synoptic collection thread: http://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=2715.0
many of these are among the best for their given species. And I live in the US, so getting these in the US was not a problem (many of the Japanese figures came from eBay dealers in Japan, but shipping to the US normally isn't a problem).

Oh yeah, that'll be a good reference.

[Nimravus]

I am not one for self-promotion but have you seen my synoptic collection thread: http://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=2715.0
many of these are among the best for their given species. And I live in the US, so getting these in the US was not a problem (many of the Japanese figures came from eBay dealers in Japan, but shipping to the US normally isn't a problem).

Oh yeah, that'll be a good reference.

Blaine's synoptic collection is a wonderful reference! I have used it to look for some species I wanted to have!

[JimoAi]

For sharks and rays that you can add are the 2018 Schleich's latest great white, Schleich's latest hammerhead, Papo's Manta ray, Schleich 2013 Manta Ray, Safari's Spotted eagle ray, Safari's incredible creatures stingrays which I've used as a Smooth Stingray, either the Schleich Sawfish or CollectA Sawfish, The Schleich guitarfish, Papo whale shark, Papo bull shark, Safari's Oceanic Whitetip, Safari's nurse shark or the colorata sets which the sharks and rays are closer to 1:40 scale, collectA's Xiphactinus Pnso Helicoprion and maybe Kitan clubs upcoming ray set

For bony fish I reccommend the Yujin Saltwater and freshwater sets, Safari's pelagic toob has some 1:40 scale fish, Colorata's fish sets especially the fossil and coral reef fish, ikimon Opah, oarfish and coelacanth, Safari's Sunfish and the Takara tomy saltwater fish set with the large head hairtail

For reptiles I reccommend Colorata's Sea turtle set, Papo's Leatherback, CollectA's Mosasaurus, Pnso Eurhinosaurus and upcoming Kronosaurus, CollectA's elasmosaurus and safari's Tylosaurus

For inverts, I reccommend The Yujin cephalopods, the Eikoh common Octopus if you can track it down and the Schleich 2016 Octopus though that one lacks a siphon

I have owned many of the figures stated so do let me know if you want my opinions on them or size comparisons

[callmejoe3]

For sharks and rays that you can add are the 2018 Schleich's latest great white, Schleich's latest hammerhead, Papo's Manta ray, Schleich 2013 Manta Ray, Safari's Spotted eagle ray, Safari's incredible creatures stingrays which I've used as a Smooth Stingray, either the Schleich Sawfish or CollectA Sawfish, The Schleich guitarfish, Papo whale shark, Papo bull shark, Safari's Oceanic Whitetip, Safari's nurse shark or the colorata sets which the sharks and rays are closer to 1:40 scale, collectA's Xiphactinus Pnso Helicoprion and maybe Kitan clubs upcoming ray set

For bony fish I reccommend the Yujin Saltwater and freshwater sets, Safari's pelagic toob has some 1:40 scale fish, Colorata's fish sets especially the fossil and coral reef fish, ikimon Opah, oarfish and coelacanth, Safari's Sunfish and the Takara tomy saltwater fish set with the large head hairtail

For reptiles I reccommend Colorata's Sea turtle set, Papo's Leatherback, CollectA's Mosasaurus, Pnso Eurhinosaurus and upcoming Kronosaurus, CollectA's elasmosaurus and safari's Tylosaurus

For inverts, I reccommend The Yujin cephalopods, the Eikoh common Octopus if you can track it down and the Schleich 2016 Octopus though that one lacks a siphon

I have owned many of the figures stated so do let me know if you want my opinions on them or size comparisons

Thanks. I think your reptile recommendations are going to be the most useful.

[Sable Antelope]

Safari has a wonderful variety of sharks and birds. Are you ok with larger figures? Their Incredible Creatures line is great in terms of non-mammals and even include bony fish and invertebrates.

[callmejoe3]

Safari has a wonderful variety of sharks and birds. Are you ok with larger figures? Their Incredible Creatures line is great in terms of non-mammals and even include bony fish and invertebrates.

I've been looking at those too. I recently purchased and reviewed the Sally Lightfoot crab. My only reservation with the IC line is that I'm planning my collection for stuff I want to review, and I want to avoid overly representing Safari. I'm already providing a lot of coverage between their Sea life and MBA collection. I want to keep my collection/reviews diverse between both taxa and brands. Nonetheless, if Safari clearly has a good figure, I'm gonna get it.