Animal figures to get

[Shane]

Interesting. The one in back I know for sure is an original release model as I bought it something like 15+ years ago too. So the ome in front is also older, just MUCH more yellow than my childhood figure. Thank you Shane! I might have to get the rerelease now too as I didm't realize it was so different in paint. Thank you!

The original Safari Komodo was released in 1998, so it's an older sculpt, but like the crocodile I think it mostly holds up. I'm not sure when the first paint change occurred, but I'd wager sometime in the early 2000s.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Happy to. I will include the IC boa also. Its a nice model for sure but it is a bigger scale figure. The Bullyland is really nice, and though they aren't producing many extant animals these days they are in large part really well done.

[Sim]

@Saarlooswolfhound yes, please do include the Safari boa constrictor too, I'm considering that one again and it would be very helpful to see just how big it is.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Here you are finally. I threw in some others just to give you an idea of the IC line of snakes and other pythons I have.


Then more closely the old and new Schleich pythons.

[bmathison1972]

Here is the Colorata Boa constrictor next to the Safari anaconda!



Also, not be be a minor nitpicker, but the two Schleich figures are Boa constrictors. Boas are not pythons; the two both capture their prey via constriction (many snakes do) but they are not phylogenetically related 

[Gwangi]

That Schleich boa is really weird. The patterning isn't just painted on, it's sculpted on. Makes it look like it's missing skin chunks.

[Sim]

Thanks for the photos!

Yeah, I agree with @Gwangi that the newer Schleich boa is weird because of the sculpted pattern.  It's cute, but I won't get it because the sculpted pattern is too unnatural.  Thanks @Saarlooswolfhound for helping me come to a conclusion on that figure.  Also thanks for including the Safari albino Burmese python!  That's a figure I find intriguing.  I think the Safari boa constrictor is the most suitable figure for me after all.  I like its pose and I find the animal interesting, same for the 2023 Safari emerald tree boa.

That anaconda in @bmathison1972's photo is phenomenal, it looks real!  I will get it when I have the chance!

[Gwangi]

I love that Safari Burmese python but I really wish it had the wild-type coloration. Same for the Safari corn snake. I'll still probably end up with both of them anyway, they're really good.

[Sim]

I agree @Gwangi, I too would like the Safari Burmese python to have the regular colouration.  I hope Safari will release it with that colouration.  Since Shane said this, I'm hopeful:

It's always neat to see how sculpt details look on a completely different color palette.

[bmathison1972]

I agree @Gwangi, I too would like the Safari Burmese python to have the regular colouration.  I hope Safari will release it with that colouration.  Since Shane said this, I'm hopeful:

It's always neat to see how sculpt details look on a completely different color palette.

Shane may have been referring to the background that Saarolooswolfhound used ;-)

[Saarlooswolfhound]

I didn't photograph my white gator though. But it is striking on its own!

@Sim, I wouldn't necessarily hinge all hope on a new color variation for any model from Safari, but it has happened in the past for some. In this case the domestic color morph is probably popular amongst people because it is different and it appeals to pet snake owners. But there may be a wild morph on the cards, you never know!

[Shane]

Shane may have been referring to the background that Saarolooswolfhound used ;-)

I was referring to the white gator vs the darker gator.

But never say never. Repaints are not out of the question, when they make sense. But they are very dependent on sales data to determine whether it's worth it.

[Sim]

Harpy eagle
I'm wondering if one is better out of Safari's and Schleich's?

[bmathison1972]

Harpy eagle
I'm wondering if one is better out of Safari's and Schleich's?

I think Safari has the better sculpt and overall look, but Schleich has a more detailed paint. Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. I had the Safari first, so that's what I am keeping. Naturalism made a nice one too, but very hard to find outside of China.

EDIT: Both have been reviewed on the Animal Toy Blog if you want to compare

[Saarlooswolfhound]

I don't have the Schleich one just yet but both have pros and cons. For me I prefer the Safari also.

Just as a heads up, these do ship from China but this ebay seller is wonderful. The costs are not bad, the shipping is usually quite fast (2ish weeks is the usual for me). You can get one or two figures or the whole set!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255794234875?hash=item3b8e8645fb:g:ussAAOSw7bJjV6Z7

[bmathison1972]

I don't have the Schleich one just yet but both have pros and cons. For me I prefer the Safari also.

Just as a heads up, these do ship from China but this ebay seller is wonderful. The costs are not bad, the shipping is usually quite fast (2ish weeks is the usual for me). You can get one or two figures or the whole set!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255794234875?hash=item3b8e8645fb:g:ussAAOSw7bJjV6Z7

One note of caution from that seller. They put things on eBay that they are are 'available' but they don't actually have them in stock. I've waited upwards of 6 months for some things from them. If you want to buy from that shop, message them first to make sure what you want is indeed in stock.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Oh that's too bad Blaine. I have ordered a few things now (6 or 7 individual items) and have not had an issue. I waited forever for the TNG smilodon to get back in stock but they communicated with me reasonably well. But those of course are welcomed cautions if you had a very different experience! Thanks for sharing.

[bmathison1972]

Oh that's too bad Blaine. I have ordered a few things now (6 or 7 individual items) and have not had an issue. I waited forever for the TNG smilodon to get back in stock but they communicated with me reasonably well. But those of course are welcomed cautions if you had a very different experience! Thanks for sharing.

Yes they communicate well and they have good service. Just saying don't expect stuff 'available' to be immediately available. Ask them first.

[Sim]

Thanks for your input you two!  @Saarlooswolfhound, you're a master at finding rare figures on eBay!

Flamingo
I'd like a flamingo figure that is standing or walking but which doesn't have a permanently attached base.  Is the Playmobil flamingo my only option?  The Playmobil flamingo has a simplified colouration that doesn't look fully accurate to any flamingo species as far as I've seen, although it is excellent for Playmobil standards.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

Not always, I knoe people who can find the "impossible" models online!

I don't know of any flamingo that is standing but doesn't have a base... as always, I can present a photo of mine if you like but they all have some sort of supportive base.