Mathison Museum of Natural History

[bmathison1972]

Species: Tamias striatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (eastern chipmunk)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Schleich
Series: Wild Life America
Year of Release: 2014
Size/Scale: Figure 5.0 cm wide. Body length (including tail) 7.5 cm for a scale of 1:4
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon to rare
Miscellaneous Notes: I like that Schleich makes their models depicting small animals actually small. The right side of the figure (not shown in this image) comes permanently affixed to a couple small leaves and hazelnuts/acorns, for which those who do not like their figures on 'bases' might not appreciate.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Eastern North America
Habitat: Woodlands, parks, gardens; usually where stumps, logs, and rocky outcrops are available as cover
Diet: Fruits, seeds, nuts; occasionally invertebrates, bird eggs, mushrooms
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Tamias striatus does not have adequate fat stores to hibernate, but instead enters periods of torpor (decreased physiological activity). As such, they hoard food for the winter that they will eat during breaks in their inactivity. They are scatter-hoarders, meaning they will have caches in several areas throughout their home territory, in addition to rooms within their burrows. The chipmunks find their caches using olfactory cues.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (citrus long-horned beetle)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Hayakawa Toys
Series: Insect Collection - Special
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Body length (excluding appendages) 2.4 cm, within 1:1 scale for a smaller specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The Hawakwa Insect Collection figures are from Japan, but not of the quality we are used to seeing from companies Kaiyodo, Sega, F-toys, and others. Some of the more commonly-made species in the set come in small and large versions, the latter of which is marked with the Hawakwa name. Probably the best representation of A. chinensis in the toy market is the magnetic figure by Re-ment.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: East and Southeast Asia, Japan; introducted to Europe and North America
Habitat: Hardwood forests
Diet: Larvae bore into the wood of living hardwood trees; there is a broad host range, including many commercial and ornamental plants such as Citrus (citrus), Carya (pecan), Malus (apple), Salix (willow), Pyrus (pear), Morus (mulberry), Melia (chinaberry), Populus (poplar), quercus (oak), and Ficus (fig); adults feed on the tender bark of young trees
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Anoplophora chinensis was first reported in the United States in 1999 in Georgia, from bonsai trees imported from China. In 2001 it was reported from Washington in bonsai trees imported from Korea. It has also been reported from Wisconsin. It is currently considered eradicated from these three states. The related Asian long-horned beetle (A. glabripennis) has also been introduced to the United States, where thriving populations occur in the Northeast.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Carabus blaptoides (Kollar, 1836)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Yujin
Series: Insects of Japan Vol. 1
Years of Release: 2005 and 2006
Size/Scale: Base 6.0 cm long. Body length (excluding appendages) 3.5 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Rare
Miscellaneous Notes: These figures were sold under the genus Damaster, which is now considered a subgenus of Carabus. Both of these figures represent the 'secret' figure associated with Volume 1 of the Insects of Japan series; the one on the right was in the original set released in 2005 while the one on the left with the snail shell is a variant released in 2006. Some assembly is required. The figures are removable from their bases but it would leave a small peg under 1-2 of the legs. They are also quite fragile as you can see from missing appendages on one of them. The Insects of Japan figures appear to be cast from actual specimens and are therefore all in the 1:1 scale range.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Japan, including Russian-claimed islands north of Hokkaido
Habitat: Forests, fields
Diet: Adult and larvae are specialized predators on terrestrial mollusks
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Carabus blaptoides is a specialized predator on snails and other soft-bodied terrestrial invertebrates. Both adults and larvae have specialized mouthparts for feeding on gastropods hidden within their shells.

[Isidro]

Hard to believe that they're casts from actual specimens - the body maybe, but antennae and legs are too thick for that!

[bmathison1972]

Hard to believe that they're casts from actual specimens - the body maybe, but antennae and legs are too thick for that!

Not really, no. They are pretty accurate in terms of width. Could be an artifact of my imaging making them appear thicker.

[Isidro]

No, it's not an artifact of your image, it's clearly much thicker appendages made intentionally for avoid breakage, as in all animal figurines. None ground beetle have so thick legs/antennae in proportion to the body. In fact, almost none beetle, except some prionine and lamiine longhorns and maybe some tenebrionid.

This is my photo of Carabus blaptoides for comparison.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura (Elliot, 1871) (Tsushima leopard cat)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Japanese Animals
Year of Release: 2020
Size/Scale: Figure length 4.2 cm. Head-and-body length 3.5 cm for a scale of 1:21
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon (see below)
Miscellaneous Notes: I have two figures of this subspecies of leopard cat, this one, and one by Kaiyodo to represent the Iriomote population (which will be reviewed at a later date). Once considered separate species, the Tsushima and Iriomote leopard cats are now believed to be the same subspecies of leopard cat. In terms of toys and figures, the Tsushima population has been produced only three times that I am aware of, but when considered the same taxon as the Iriomote population, it becomes not quite as rare. The Japanese Animals collection by Colorata features both populations, but marketed them as different subspecies.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: East Russia, Manchuria, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan (Iriomote and Tsushima Islands)
Habitat: Forests, shrubland, grasslands, plantations, wetlands
Diet: Small animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern (as a species); the Tsushima population is classified as Critically Endangered on the Japanese Red List of Endangered Species
Miscellaneous Notes: Genetic analysis shows three lineages of P. bengalensis. The Tsushima leopard cat belongs to the northern lineage and includes the Iriomote leopard cat (formerly its own subspecies, P. b. iriomotensis).

[bmathison1972]

Species: †Thylacoleo carnifex Owen, 1859 (marsupial lion)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Southlands Replicas
Series: Australian Animals
Year of Release: 2016
Size/Scale: Figure length 13.0 cm. Height at shoulder 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:15-1:16
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The only other figure of this species I am aware of is by Cadbury in the Yowies Lost Kingdoms line, which is smaller and requires assembly.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Pleistocene of present-day Australia
Habitat: Woodlands, open scrub, semi-arid habitats
Diet: Presumably predator on other animals, possibly also an opportunistic scavenger
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Thylacoleo carnifex had bizarre morphology. Based on dentation, it appears to have evolved from plant-eating animals, something unusual among apex predators. It was strong, but not fast, and was probably an ambush predator. Its claws were retractable, unique among marsupials, and it probably had the ability to climb and may have cached prey in caves or trees.

[Halichoeres]

I know I read about its retractable claws once, but I had completely forgotten, so thanks for that detail. Very handy trait for an ambush predator.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Phyllidia coelestis Bergh, 1905 (celestial phyllidia)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kitan Club
Series: Nature Techni Colour - Sea Slugs
Year of Release: 2011
Size/Scale: Body length 4.0 cm for a scale of 1:1.5 (with 1:1 for a small or young specimen)
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: Figures in this set had straps or magnets, the former of which could be easily unscrewed. Kitan Club used this same sculpt for the elegant phyllidia (P. elegans) in the same collection.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, usually at depths of 1-30 meters
Diet: Sponges
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Phyllidia coelestis has aposematic colors; it is distasteful to would-be predators from toxins it acquires from feeding on sponges.

[bmathison1972]

Species: †Sidneyia inexpectans Walcott, 1911

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Cambrian Life TOOB
Year of Release: 2013
Size/Scale: Body length (excluding appendages) 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:1-1:2.5
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The Cambrian Life TOOB allows for several unique or very rarely made prehistoric invertebrate taxa, this Sidneyia figure being one of the unique ones.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Early to Middle Cambrian of present-day western Canada
Habitat: Benthic
Diet: Hard-bodied marine invertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: The phylogenetic position of Sidneyia is unknown but it is generally beleived to be related to, or nestled within, Chelicerata (which includes modern-day arachnids) or Artiopoda (which includes the trilobites).

[bmathison1972]

Species: Allomyrina dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1771) (Japanese rhinoceros beetle)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Hayakawa Toys
Series: Insects Collection - Special
Year of Release: 2004
Size/Scale: Large male: body length (including cephalic horn) 5.0 cm for a scale of 1:1-1:1.5 (closer to 1:1.5 for a major male). Small male: body length (including cephalic horn) 4.0 cm for a scale of 1:1-1:2 (closer to 1:2 for a major male). Female: body length 2.8 cm for a scale of 1:1.5-1:2.
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very common
Miscellaneous Notes: Despite how common A. dichotoma is in the toy market, females are very rarely made; I have over 40 specimens of this species and this is one of only three females. Some of the more commonly-made species in the set come in small and large versions (as in the two males shown here, although the smaller male scales better with the female), the latter of which is marked with the Hawakwa name.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia, including China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical hardwood forests
Diet: Larvae feed on organic detritus in soil; adults are attracted to sap flows
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: Like other large dynastines, A. dichotoma has marked sexual dimorphism. Males use their pronotal and cephalic horns to fight over females and to secure feeding sites (having two sizes of males in this set allows me to demonstrate two males fighting over a female).

[bmathison1972]

Species: †Elasmosaurus platyurus Cope, 1868

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Wild Safari Prehistoric World
Year of Release: 2013
Size/Scale: Figure 24.0 cm long. Measured along midline, body length 27.5 cm for a scale of roughly 1:45
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: ATF/ATB and DTF/DTB founder and administrator @animaltoyforum had input into the design of this figure! Long regarded as one of the favorite representatives of this species in toy form, this Safari figure might have gotten bumped by some collectors with the recent release of the 2021 model by CollectA. However, the proportions and overall form of this Safari figure might still be more accurate. The new CollectA figure has a tail fin, the presence of which is speculative but highly probable, but the tail might be too long and it appears to have a arched back which Elasmosaurus did not have.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) of present-day North America
Habitat: Pelagic
Diet: Fish
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Elasmosaurus platyurus (like other plesiosaurs) was not capable of raising its head above water as commonly depicted in earlier art and media (which further helps debunk the notion that the object seen in photos of the Loch Ness Monster are a plesiosaur).

[JimoAi]

Species: †Elasmosaurus platyurus Cope, 1868

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Safari Ltd.
Series: Wild Safari Prehistoric World
Year of Release: 2013
Size/Scale: Figure 24.0 cm long. Measured along midline, body length 27.5 cm for a scale of roughly 1:45
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: ATF/ATB and DTF/DTB founder and administrator @animaltoyforum had input into the design of this figure! Long regarded as one of the favorite representatives of this species in toy form, this Safari figure might have gotten bumped by some collectors with the recent release of the 2021 model by CollectA. However, the proportions and overall form of this Safari figure might still be more accurate. The new CollectA figure has a tail fin, the presence of which is speculative but highly probable, but the tail might be too long and it appears to have a arched back which Elasmosaurus did not have.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) of present-day North America
Habitat: Pelagic
Diet: Fish
IUCN Status (at time of posting): N/A [prehistoric]
Miscellaneous Notes: Elasmosaurus platyurus (like other plesiosaurs) was not capable of raising its head above water as commonly depicted in earlier art and media (which further helps debunk the notion that the object seen in photos of the Loch Ness Monster are not a plesiosaur).

I heard elasmosaurus could only get up to 10 metres with the more recent estimate

[bmathison1972]

Species: Allotopus rosenbergi (Snellen van Vollenvoven in Parry, 1872)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Sega
Series: Mushi King 'Shooters'
Year of Release: unknown
Size/Scale: Body length (including mandibles) 5.5 cm, within scale 1:1 for a smaller specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The term 'shooters' is my designation for figures from this peculiar set in the Mushi King line. The figures apparently came with a device to propel or shoot the figures (I bought mine from forum member Beetle guy without the device). The figures have a small, soft peg on the underside that I presume is used for attachment to the devices. These figures are actually very nice, and some are nicer than their 'small series, standard' counterparts! I don't know how many figures are in the original set, but I have seven.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indonesia (Java)
Habitat: Rainforests
Diet: Larvae breed in decaying wood; adults presumably feed on tree sap
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had trouble researching information on this species. Allotopus rosenbergi is popular with collectors (and Japanese toy insect manufacturers) but not as common in terraria as larvae require wood infected with particular fungi.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Allotopus rosenbergi (Snellen van Vollenvoven in Parry, 1872)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: F-toys
Series: Encyclopedia of Insects Vol. 3
Year of Release: 2008
Size/Scale: Body length (including mandibles) 7.5 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Uncommon
Miscellaneous Notes: The same species coming up in two consecutive days? That's the thing about randomness, it can happen! This figure is much more realistic than yesterday's and may have been cast from an actual specimen; the figures in this set are very realistic and in the 1:1 scale range.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indonesia (Java)
Habitat: Rainforests
Diet: Larvae breed in decaying wood; adults presumably feed on tree sap
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had trouble researching information on this species. Allotopus rosenbergi is popular with collectors (and Japanese toy insect manufacturers) but not as common in terraria as larvae require wood infected with particular fungi.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Heterixalus rutenbergi (Boettger, 1881) (Rutenberg's reed frog)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Colorata
Series: Tropical Rain Forest Frogs
Year of Release: 2019 (2005)
Size/Scale: Base 9.0 cm long. Body length 3.3 cm for a scale of 1.3:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: My figure is from the 2019 release of the collection; the original figure is from 2005. The frog is not removable from its leaf base.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Central and eastern Madagascar
Habitat: Tropical grassland, freshwater marshes, agricultural land
Diet: Insects and other arthropods
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern
Miscellaneous Notes: Although classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, H. rutenbergi is threatened by habitat loss. It is an adaptable species, however, and can colonize well-irrigated agricultural lands, including arable land.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) (banded pipefish; ringed pipefish)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Cadbury
Series: Yowies Series 3
Year of Release: 1999
Size/Scale: Body length 11.0 cm for a scale of 1:1.7
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: Being one of the original Yowies figures from Australia, some assembly is required.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs, tide pools, and lagoons at depths of 5-56 meters
Diet: Marine invertebrates
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Data Deficient
Miscellaneous Notes: Like with other seahorses, it is the male of D. dactyliophorus that is equipped with a brood pouch and cares for the developing eggs.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Beckius beccarii (Gestro, 1876)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: DeAgostini
Series: World Insect Data Book
Year of Release: unknown
Size/Scale: Body length (excluding horns) 5.0 cm, within scale 1:1
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Very rare
Miscellaneous Notes: The DeAgostini figures are cast from actual specimens and are therefore all in the 1:1 range. The figures were sold as premiums with books and come in a plastic display box with their Latin and Japanese names. I am not sure what year the figures were released, and it is possible they were released over multiple years. The original set from Japan consisted of 60 species (59 male Scarabaeoidea and one dragonfly), plus four 'secret' figures representing females of select scarab males. When the set was released in Italy, three of the standard set were replaced with other species, including a leaf insect. Between the two releases and secrets, I think there are 67 figures total representing 63 species. The figures are secured to the base of the box with a small screw, but can be safely removed if one choses to display them outside of the box. The only other figure of B. beccarii I am familiar with is by Sega.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: New Guinea
Habitat: Rainforests
Diet: Presumably, larvae feed in decaying wood or similar substrate; adults attracted to sap flows and overripe fruit
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Not Evaluated
Miscellaneous Notes: I had a very hard time researching anything on the biology of this genus or species; the comments above are based on other members of the tribe Dynastini.

Edit January 26, 2022: This figure may represent the subspecies, B. b. koletta.

[bmathison1972]

Species: Parnassius eversmanni Ménétries, 1849 (Eversmann's parnassian)

About the Figure:
Manufacturer: Kaiyodo
Series: Natural Monuments of Japan
Year of Release: 2002
Size/Scale: Wingspan 6.0 cm, slightly over 1:1 scale for a large specimen
Frequency of species in toy/figure form (at time of posting): Unique
Miscellaneous Notes: The figure is removable from its habitat-style base, to which it attached with a clear acrylic rod.

About the Animal:
Geographic distribution: Russia, Mongolia, Japan, Alaska, and Canada (Yukon)
Habitat: Alpine shrubland and woodlands, alpine meadows, tundra, riparian areas; often at high elevations
Diet: Larvae feed on plants in the genus Corydalis; adults take nectar from flowers
IUCN Status (at time of posting): Least Concern (globally); in North America, has a NatureServe status of Secure.
Miscellaneous Notes: Parnassius eversmanni is extremely variable throughout its range, resulting in the description of several subspecies and making field identification difficult. Since this figure was part of a set focusing on the fauna of Japan, it probably represents the subspecies P. e. daisetsuzanus.