Plastic Triceratops

This triceratops is the perfect addition to any dinosaur collection!

This is one of the resin (plastic) dinosaurs made by Safari Ltd as part of its Carnegie Collection. The collection is so named because these lifelike replicas were researched and authenticated by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Carnegie Museum ranks among the largest natural history museums in the world, containing approximately 16 million specimens.

Use this museum-quality animal replica for dioramas, school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, home decor, and more. Made of solid plastic or resin, the dinosaur's tail and horns are slightly flexible, although not posable. Although we don't know what color any dinosaur species really was, the color choices are attractive and fun. The blue accents are a bit brighter than you see here (more like on the nose) and the body is "elephant gray." Its name ("Triceratops") is cast on the bottom.

Each plastic dinosaur comes with a small informational tag in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Suggested for ages three and older.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Wolf

This wolf is perfect for cuddling with!

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed wolf is soft and affectionate-looking. Its legs are made of plush hair and are sewn together to replicate a lying position. The body and head are light gray and light tan with black around the muzzle and ears of the wolf's head. Our wolf is probably a cub. He has a kindly expression and promises not to bite. He makes a nice pet, a gift, or fits perfectly into a stuffed animal collection. Check out our other wolf toys and gifts.

Our beautiful stuffed wolf appears to depict a young gray wolf (Canis lupus), which is also known as a timber wolf. The adult is the largest wolf, about 3 feet in length and weighing about 100 pounds. It once roamed freely throughout North America and Eurasia, but hunting and habitat destruction has taken a significant toll on the wolf population. Great efforts have been undertaken to reintroduce the wolf to areas of the Northwest and Idaho with cooperation of ranchers, who see the wolf as a threat to livestock, especially sheep. The wolf is incredibly adaptable to climate and terrain and can travel long distances. It can withstand frigid temperatures and can be found in snowy mountains, high deserts and plains. Its claws and padded feet are designed with special webbing for hanging on to slippery surfaces. Wolves have bulky coats consisting of two layers. The first layer is made up of tough guard hairs designed to repel water and dirt. The second is a dense, water-resistant undercoat that insulates. The wolf is a special animal to be appreciated by all. It has been valued by native people in their art and religion.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Emperor Penguin Chick

A cold winter day is perfect for learning about penguins.  Come check out this delightful emperor penguin chick!

Emperor penguins are the largest of all the penguin species. A large one can reach about 90 pounds and stand almost 4 feet tall. They live in the Antarctic.

Our baby emperor penguin toy animal is made of solid plastic and measures 2 inches tall. Although "Rockhopper Penguin" is molded into the underside, comparisons with online photos confirm that this is an emperor penguin chick. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic bird is for decoration or play only. You can make an incredible Antarctica shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come see our wonderful assortment of penguin toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Salamander

This salamander is adorable, check it out!

This blue and black plastic toy salamander is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Painted Plastic Alligator

Check out this wonderful, unique alligator with detailed paint!

Our Plastic Toy Alligator

This engaging, unique plastic alligator miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has a detailed face and body and is painted two shades of green. It has a yellow belly, a red mouth and lots of teeth. It squeaks when you press its back. This plastic alligator makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other alligator toys and gifts.

About Alligators

An Alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator. The name alligator comes from Spanish el lagarto (the lizard), the name by which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. There are two living alligator species: the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator. It is an ancient animal and has survived for 200 million years. An average adult American alligator's weight and length is 800 pounds and 13 feet long. According to the Everglades National Park website, the largest alligator ever recorded in Florida was 17 feet 5 inches The Chinese alligator is smaller, rarely exceeding 7 feet in length. Alligators have an average of 75 teeth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Alligator

Check out this alligator, it would make a great addition to any school project!

This solid plastic alligator is five inches long from snout to tail. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift.
This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Cheetah

Check out this handsome plastic cheetah!

This beautifully detailed cheetah is 7 inches from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The body even has a fur-like pattern. It's made of sturdy plastic and is very durable.

Our plastic animals of a similar size and detail include giraffe, cheetah, lion, hippo, warthog, and elephant. Come see our wonderful assortment of cheetah toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Baby Cheetah Replica

Looking for something different as a gift for a cheetah or big-cat lover? Check our our small stuffed cheetah by Hansa - realism and cuteness in a combination sure to please.

Our Adorable Stuffed Cheetah Baby

Our wonderfully lifelike stuffed baby cheetah by Hansa is a toy that looks amazingly like a real animal. The plush cheetah baby is 7 inches tall sitting up as you see it in this photo. Its cute wrap-around tail is just peeking out from behind the cheetah. Our lifelike Hansa cheetah is sewn with soft plush fabric made especially to match the markings of this animal. It has longer fur around the head and down the back in a small mane like a real cheetah with shorter hair on the face and body. The spots on the head, body, tail and legs are realistic with the "signature" black markings below the cheetah's eyes and around its muzzle. Attention to detail is important with all Hansa stuffed animals, and this cheetah toy is no exception. The long, thin, whiskers and with extra-soft plastic nose help anyone bond with this cute toy. The ears have a soft light peach-colored fabric inside. Our baby cheetah has a slighly puzzled curious look, as though it is learning to explore its world. It promises to snuggle next to you and be your friend. Our baby cheetah complements nicely any stuffed animal collection. Hansa toys are modeled after animals in real life, and they tend to keep the feel of an individual animal. This is one reason Hansa stuffed animals are so collectible. Kids love them and bond with them for years to come. I've known adults that "just have to" cuddle these adorable animals, too! Each piece is hand-stictched in the Philippines by crafters willing to produce a unique item each and every time. Check out our other cheetah toys and gifts or broaden your search to all of our cats. You can also read more about Hansa stuffed animals and see our selection.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Parakeet

These stuffed parakeets are too cute!

We think this stuffed parakeet is exceptional. It is so lifelike and compelling, you almost won't believe it's a stuffed toy and not the real thing. Although it's made of synthetic materials, it looks real. The designer of the Hansa line of stuffed animals takes pride in the European heritage of his realistic animal design. Each piece is hand-cut and stitched.

This is not your ordinary stuffed animal. Our stuffed bird has the charm and quality you'll want to keep for a lifetime. It's the kind of toy your child will remember for years to come. It's the kind of "pet" a young child will want to name and create his or her own stories about.

The literature says, "The magical kingdom of Hansa plush was originally created for the most exclusive European clientele. Europeans have treasured these lifelike heirloom creatures for over twenty years. . . . Each Hansa piece is a handcrafted masterpiece, lovingly designed from portraits of real animals. The 'skin' for each of these marvelous animals is hand-cut and trimmed, never stamped out by machine. The fabric for spotted and striped animals is custom designed and specially manufactured in small lots to Hansa's exacting specifications."

As time permits, we will be adding more of this unique line to our gift shop. If you're looking for an animal and don't find it on our site, please write to us. See other Hansa stuffed animal toys on our Stuffed Animals page. Be sure to look over our other parrots and related birds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Woolly Mammoth

Check out this wonderfully detailed plastic woolly mammoth!

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this woolly mammoth's superior design and details make it a museum-quality replica or collector's item, and yet the price puts it in range for the average collector of plastic animals. It measures 6 1/4 inches from the wonderfully lifelike curled tusks to the extended rear foot and stands 5 1/4 inches tall to the tip of the upturned trunk The word MAMMOTH is embossed on the underside. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. This sturdy, durable mammoth is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a marvelous prehistoric or ice age animals shoebox diorama using this and other plastic extinct animals from our gift shop. Be sure to look over our other woolly mammoth toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

"Oliver" the Stuffed Pink Pig?

Although this is not an official Oliver Pig, the manufacturer thinks it looks like Oliver. In any case, this plush pig will make any youngster who likes animals stories or anyone at all who likes pigs a great fuzzy companion.

I'm sorry the photo came out a bit gray - it sometimes happens here in the rainy Pacific Northwest on an overcast and rainy day. I assure you this pig is pink and wonderful and cuddly, and makes us smile up here in Coastal Oregon where it rains all the time! The stuffed pig is made by Hansa, a landmark quality manufacturer of stuffed animals based in the Philippines where the work in constructing these fine creatures is all done by hand.

Our Stuffed Pink Pig

Our stuffed pink pig is 10 inches long from nose to rump with an additional 1 1/2-inch, white-tufted curled tail. Handcrafted beautifully by Hansa, this pig has many fine features, including hooves painted to appear cloven, ears stitched to a realistic shape, a detailed mouth, and a fabric tongue. Our pink pig is sturdy, has posable front legs and stands 7 inches tall. Let him become a family member. He is clean and loving, and fits nicely in a stuffed animal collection. Be sure to see our other pig toys and gifts.

About Pigs

The words pig, hog and swine are generic terms and may be used interchangeably without regard to gender, size or breed. A male pig is called a boar. A female pig is called a gilt if she hasn't had piglets yet, or called a sow if she has had a litter. The pig originated as a Eurasian wild boar and was domesticated by early farming people. The pig is known as an even-toed ungulate having four toes, although it walks on only two. It is an incredibly intelligent animal with a brain size similar to humans. It keeps clean and only rolls in the mud to cool off, since it lacks sweat glands. It has been a valuable food supply for generations of people from many cultures. Some religions, such as Judaism and Islam, have prohibitions regarding eating pork. This is not because the pig is externally dirty, but because it doesn't have cud to redigest.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Adorable Plastic Toy Platypus

Check out this adorable plastic toy platypus we have in stock!

This plastic toy platypus has wonderful detail. The fur is moulded into the plastic, and it looks like it just climbed out of the water. Except for the red eyes, it's very realistic! The platypus is very sturdy and durable. It's also hollow, which makes it light weight. It's perfect for a shoebox diorama for school projects, for your home miniature zoo, for play and for learning about the marvelous animals of this big, beautiful planet! Platypuses live in Australia and Tasmania.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Gorilla Peeper Keeper Eyeglass Holders

 See our gorilla peeper keepers now in stock!

Made of carved and painted wood, the gorilla is 6 1/2 inches tall.

What a classy way to keep your reading or sunglasses from getting lost on your coffee table, bedside table, hall shelf, etc. You can also use this functional sculpture to display business cards with pizazz and pride!

"Peeper Keepers" are fun and practical, and come in over 40 different animal types. See our other Peeper Keeper animals here. If we don't have an animal you're looking for on our web site, please ask! Come see our wonderful assortment of gorilla toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Very Cool Hansa Stuffed Vulture Still Available

Come see our stuffed vulture

As of today, December 19, 2010, we still have several of our popular, beautiful, and lifelike Hansa stuffed vultures available and ready to ship! The mail is going so fast this year, we can reasonably assume that you'll get it in two days if you're in a big-city zip code, and two or three days if you are more rurally located.

This plush toy vulture is impressive-looking and extremely soft - like real feathers, although the materials are synthetic. It is made in the Phillipines, and is happy to come and live with you!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Grrrr! Do you know anyone who loves lions? Our plastic lion replica may be for them!

This lovely plastic lion replica looks to me like an Atlas lion with a dark mane. It's quite an exotic creature! 

This beautifully detailed plastic lion replica is almost 6 1/2 inches from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The body and mane have a fur-like pattern. It's made of sturdy plastic and is very durable. This plastic big cat is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic lion is for decoration or play only. You can make an interesting African shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop.

Our plastic animals of a similar size and detail include giraffe, cheetah, lion, hippo, warthog, and elephant. Be sure to check out our other lion toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Billy Goat Animal Peeper Keeper Back in Stock!

Do you know anyone who adores goats? This fun Billy goat is one of the peeper keeper eyeglass holders that's back in stock and ready to ship for Christmas!

Made of carved and painted wood, this functional sculpture is about 6 inches tall.

What a classy way to keep your reading or sunglasses from getting lost on your coffee table, bedside table, hall shelf, etc. You can also use this painted wood sculpture to display business cards with pizazz and pride! Try holding recipe cards in the kitchen, too.

"Peeper Keepers" are fun and practical, and come in many different animal types. See our other Peeper Keeper animals here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Chipmunk Peeper is Back!

This cute Peeper Keeper is back in stock after being unavailable for quite some time.

Made of carved and painted wood, this functional sculpture is about 6 1/2 inches tall.

What a classy way to keep your reading or sunglasses from getting lost on your coffee table, bedside table, hall shelf, etc. You can also use this painted wood sculpture to display business cards with pizazz and pride! Try holding recipe cards in the kitchen, too.

"Peeper Keepers" are fun and practical, and come in wide selection of animal types. See our other Peeper Keeper animals here. If we don't have an animal you're looking for on our web site, please ask!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Cute, Realistic, Stuffed Woodchuck, Groundhog or Marmot Baby

This adorable lifelike stuffed animal goes by several names. You choose what to call him or her! He/she is new in our online store, and as of today, ready to ship for Christmas!

Our Stuffed, Plush Marmot, Groundhog or Woodchuck Baby

This adorable, cuddly realistic-looking, stuffed, marmot, groundhog, woodchuck baby plush replica sits 9 inches tall, has a 4-inch tail, soft plastic nose, clear filament whiskers, very lifelike hard plastic eyes with pupils and iris. This marmot, groundhog, woodchuck miniature plush animal has front paws that can be moved away from the body, and they return to the pose shown in the photo. This stuffed toy marmot, woodchuck or groundhog shows darker markings on the fur, which indicate toes on the front and back feet. This plush marmot, groundhog, woodchuck replica has cheeks and mouth which are sculpted in fur to look like the shape of a real animal.

Check out our other marmot, squirrel, prairie dog, chipmunk, woodchuck, and groundhog toys and gifts.

About Marmots, Groundhogs, or Woodchucks

The groundhog or ground hog or marmot or woodchuck (Marmota monax) belongs to the group of ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots are found in the mountains, whereas the ground hog is a lowland variety. It is also known as a woodchuck. It is one of the larger squirrels, weighing up tp 7 pounds and is often 2 feet long. It loves to live in alfalfa fields and burrows 45 feet of tunnels, 5 feet deep with several entrances. It eats mainly grasses, but will eat small insects as well. Groundhogs can withstand cold temperatures with its two layers of fur, but is one of the only animals that goes into true hibernation. Every year Groundhog Day is celebrated in February as a humorous way to predict the length of Winter. Other than man, the ground hog must cope with wolves, foxes and large hawks as predators, but uses its sharp claws to defend itself. Since groundhogs live in colonies, members warn one another with a high-pitched whistle to sound danger.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tapir T-shirts

Tapir t-shirts back in stock! Come on over and get one before they disappear again! Sorry, but we've had some trouble keeping our tapir t-shirts and sweatshirts in stock this season. We've received a shipment, and most sizes are now available.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Queen Triggerfish New in Our Store

Colorful Plastic Queen Triggerfish!

Our Plastic Queen Triggerfish

This beautiful, realistic-looking queen triggerfish replica is made of solid plastic with flexible fins. The body together with the solid part of the fins is 4 7/8 inches long, but together with the flowing fins, this amazing museum-quality triggerfish miniature is 6 7/8 inches long. Our triggerfish toy has a myriad of colors and can be used as a gift, for a science project, for decorations, or as a collectible. Check out our other tropical fish toys and gifts.

About Queen Triggerfish

The Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetulae) is a common reef fish found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a commonly found on coral rubble, tops of reefs and in sea grass. Large triggerfish can reach up to 18 inches, but most are small and can be suitable for aquariums, but not in conjunction with other fish. It is agressive and may feed on smaller species. Normally the triggerfish feeds on small crustaceans and shrimp. It is good at camoflauge since and can change color quickly when frightened.

We have lots of fish toys and gifts . . . come on over and check them out!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Toy Raccoon

Although plastic sea animals continue to be our best-selling items, we've been upgrading our collection of land animals, too. Today we added this fun and interesting plastic raccoon to the series.

Our Plastic Raccoon

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic raccoon miniature is made of hard plastic. It is 3 1/2 inches long from nose to tail and is 2 inches tall. This raccoon model is made with beautiful details. It has pads on the bottom of the paws which are moulded into the feet, looking like real paws. This raccoon replica has bright black eyes, typical ringed tail and black mask. This toy raccoon has a realistically-formed nose and nostrils and a mouth you can see from the underside of the raccoon. It is perfect for a science project or fits into a shoebox diorama. Check out our other raccoon toys and gifts.

About Raccoons

Raccoons are often mistakenly thought of as rodents, but they belong to the family of procyanids, which include kinkajous and coatis (coati mundis). Raccons are generally nocturnal animals which feed on plant life, seeds, small insects and other small animals. The word raccoon was first recorded by John Smith from a Powhatan Indian word, but the animal was first noted by Christopher Columbus in his journals. According to Wikipedia, the most characteristic physical feature of the raccoon is the area of black fur around the eyes which contrasts sharply with the surrounding white face coloring. This is reminiscent of a "bandit's mask" and has thus enhanced the animal's reputation for mischief. The slightly rounded ears are bordered by white fur. It is assumed that raccoons recognize the facial expression and posture of other members of their species more quickly because of the conspicuous facial coloration and the alternating light and dark rings on the tail.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Black Bear

Black Bear Plastic Replica

Our Plastic Black Bear

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic black bear miniature is made of hard plastic. This bear replica has elaborately detailed fur and claws and is painted black and tawny brown.. Our museum quality black bear toy is 4 1/2 inches long from nose to the back foot and is 2 1/2 inches high.This black bear makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Our plastic black bear is excellent for science projects as well. Check out our other bear toys and gifts.

About Black Bears

The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is North America's smallest bear. They are a commonly found in the forest but will come out into inhabited areas to forage for food. American black bears can be distinguished from brown bears by their smaller size, their more concave profiles, their shorter claws and the lack of a shoulder hump. Adult males typically weigh between 125 and 550 lb, while females weigh less at 90–275 lb. Although called black bears, this animal can come in a number of colors such as light brown, cinnamon, dark brown, chocolate and jet black. Black bears are very territorial and mark trees with their scent. They are able climbers and excellent swimmers. They are omnivores and feed on plants, berries, and bugs, which they dig with their paws and nose.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Hyena Replica

The newest item in our online animal-related store is this wonderfully-detailed realistic plastic toy hyena.

Our plastic museum-quality hyena

This realistic-looking educational, museum-quality hyena replica is made of hard plastic. It is 4 inches from nose to tail. It stands 2 1/2 inches off the ground in a typically agressive gesture. This miniature hyena has detailed fur and is colored in brown with black spots and a black nose. This toy hyena's mouth is agape, showing its tongue and teeth. It is so realistic which makes it an excellent way to teach people about this amazing African animal. It serves as a great example for a science project, a gift, or serves as a collectible. Check out our other hyena toys and gifts and our growing collection of mixed and miscellaneous realistic toy animals.

About hyenas

The hyena is an African plains animal. It is a strange animal that is in many ways similar to both dogs and cats. Like wild dogs, they are rarely found in forests. The hyena hunts and runs like a dog and also like a dog it attacks using its teeth rather than its claws. Doglike, hyenas eat their food quickly and may store it. They run on their calloused feet, which have large, blunt, non-retractible nails. These attributes facilitate running and making sharp turns. Like cats, they groom incessantly, mark with scent, and have a similar parental and young-rearing behavior. According to Wikipedia, the spotted hyena is very vocal, producing a number of different sounds consisting of whoops, grunts, groans, lows, giggles, yells, growls, laughs and whines.The striped hyena is comparatively silent, its vocalizations being limited to a chattering laugh and howling. Hyenas are often called cowards because they steal and scavenge other animals' kill, but they also hunt in packs and bring down many weak or slower animals.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Soft Play Plastic Thorny Devil - 19 Inches Long!

Our Soft Play Latex Thorny Devil

This engaging, realistic-looking soft play latex thorny devil replica is made of foam inside with a natural latex rubber exterior. It is 19 inches from nose to tail, and IT FLOATS! This replica is soft and squishy and but returns to its original shape after you squeeze it. You can even bounce it on the floor! It is neither sharp nor poking. These latex rubber "soft play" squeezable floating animals are SO much fun! You can use them in the tub or pool, or play with them as a toy on a dry surface. They are so realistic that they are educational, too, as they teach youngsters about living animals. Because this thorny devil toy is so amazingly realistic, it serves as a great example for a science project, a gag gift, or serves as a collectible. Check out our other lizard toys and gifts and our growing collection of soft play toy and replica animals.

About Thorny Devils or Thorny Dragons

The thorny devil or thorny dragon (Moloch horridus) is an Australian desert animal. It grows up to 8 inches long and can live to the age of 20 years. Thorny devils have large external spines which discourage predators. This strange desert animal has a false head. It dips its real head between its legs and only a head-like protrusion on its back shows. It has an amazing ability to camoflauge. It is brown and tan with spots, making it almost indistinguishable from the desert floor. It eats ants and can stuff itself with well over a thousand in a day. It drinks water in the inhospitable desert from dew which it collects at night.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Floating, Bouncing, Squishy Foam-filled Latex Rubber Puffer Fish!

This fun puffer fish can be used in all sorts of ways to keep you and your kids or grandkids entertained for quite a long time. Let's see - since it floats, you could use it in the pool or bathtub, or even launch it in a lake or ocean, as long as you make sure to capture it again! You can bounce it on the floor (it won't get hurt, and neither will anyone else, but it doesn't behave quite like a real bouncing ball, because it only bounces a few inches off the floor after you throw it). You could play toss-the-fish, or you could enjoy explaining to a young child the wonders of the ocean and the creatures that live there.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Lifelike Small Plastic Skate or Stingray

We love filling our online store with lifelike plastic and stuffed animals for you to enjoy! Our newest is this plastic skate (or possibly stingray - they are hard to tell apart). It is 6 inches from snout to tail, and you can add it to your collection here. Come on over and visit! Recently, as toys for kids become less realistic and more cartoonish, we find that more and more of our customers are zoos, museums, interpretive centers, and parents and grandparents helping their kids get the right props for their school projects. Of course, realistic toy animals are great educational ideas in any year and at any age!

Tapir and Friends Animal Store - because we love realistic animals, and so do you!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Olive the Lifelike Stuffed Octopus is Back In Astoria and Ready to Travel!

It's just the nature of the business. Here one day, gone the next. And we always hope there will be another "here again." Olive Octopus is back with us after a hiatus of a couple of months. She is anxious to explore the world (doesn't that eye look curious?), which means she'd be happy to travel to your house or someone you'd like to give her to. We ship anywhere around the world.

Olive Octopus is one of the most popular stuffed animals we've ever had in our store, and I think it's easy to see why. She has character! She has personality! She has big, orange eyes! And oh, what fun, you can have with those floppy tentacles! People from adults to kids love this cuddly octopus replica year after year. We think we have enough to get us through the holiday season, but you never know. As of this posting date, our stuffed octopus is anxious to explore! You can see and order her on our web site or call (503) 338-8646.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Squid and Coffee, Anyone?

We try to be responsive to our customers' requests. "C" wanted to know just how big our 18-inch plastic squid really is.

"Would it be possible to see a picture of your 18 inch giant squid toy next to someone (or a size reference), I just cant picture how big/thick this will be..."

No problem, C, Here ya go. The photo also goes to prove that occasionally the sun does come out here in the rainy, stormy, Pacific Northwest. In fact, we're supposed to be in the midst of a big storm right now, but you see that the sun is bright and actually a bit warm on our happy plastic squid.

By the way, this photo is not to imply that you should be having squid with your morning coffee, but if that's your "cup of tea," we don't want to discourage it, either. Mmmmmm! Hmmm. Maybe it's not such a bad idea. Are you getting bored with the normal routine? Squid and coffee, anyone? Think about it.

We like to stay open-minded here at Tapir and Friends Animal Store. It's always fun to hear what YOU do with your stuffed and plastic animals. Let us know, OK? Even better . . . send photos and become famous on our blog  :) (Check out the Customer Comments label below to see some fun stuff our customers have done with toy animals.)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Halloween Vampire Tiger?

Nope! It's not a Halloween Vampire Tiger, it's just the new plastic tiger in our online store. Come see our tiger in its less-scary guise!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

New Great White Shark in our Online Aquarium!

Yes, new at the zoo (aquarium) . . . actually, our online animal store . . . is this menacing-looking realistic great white shark. I saw a nature film the other day in which one of these guys leapt out of the ocean and landed back in the water all in super slo-mo. It was AMAZING, and I have to tell you, the shark looked an awful lot like this one. Come see our new great white along with our other sharks at Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Llama and the Pelican

See our painted animal jewelry

No, it's not a story about an interesting animal relationship, although these two did keep me company in the middle of the night when I woke up by accident. I decided to spend a little time putting two more of our exquisite painted pins on the web site rather than staring at the ceiling until I fell back to sleep. I'll let you make up the amusing story of the llama and the pelican while I get back to bed and catch some zzzzs!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Wolf Jewelry - Painted Timberwolf Pin

I'm still working on the painted lapel pins and hat pins, getting more and more of them posted in Tapir and Friends Animal Store online. Last night I fell asleep really early, and when I woke up at 2:00 a.m. I thought I'd post another one!

This beautiful timberwolf pin is a real treasure. You can see the goregous hand-painted detail. As with all of our painted animal pins, the paint goes over the cast pewter base, giving the pin a strongly 3-dimensional aspect. You can see this also by the hightlights reflected while scanning. Check out our wolf pin here!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Lifelike Hand-painted Tiger Pin Now Online!

This gorgeous hand-painted stalking tiger pin is now online in our store and ready to ship! Take a look at the tiger, then see many more of our beautiful handmade, hand-painted animal pins. Made in the USA by very talented wildlife artists!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Adorable Painted Piglet Pin New at Tapir and Friends

See our cute new realistic painted piglet pin!

Our Pig Pin

Our hand-painted and hand-cast pink pig pin is made in the USA with much attention to detail and charm. This pig jewelry has good 3D quality, with the face and snout sticking out toward you and the body having a nice piggy curve. On the back are two stick pins to attach to your clothing or hat with two pinch clasps. Orient this pig any way you like, and it won't twist or move around. If you love pigs, you really have to see this! You can also check out our other hand-painted animal pins and our other pig toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Painted Animal Jewelry (Pins)

For the last couple of days, I've spent my online work time reorganizing the beautiful painted animal pins we have in our online store. We have so many on consignment from the artist, and only a fraction of them are available to look at on the site! My plan is to get a lot more up over the next few weeks, and I needed to reconstruct some pages so they would be easier to find. You can now find all of the butterfly pins in two places: on the Painted Animal Jewelry page and also on the Insect page. So far, I've updated the postings for butterflyies, moths, spiders, alligators, crocodiles, fish, and a quite a few more. If you wonder whether we have some animal that isn't posted yet, give me a call! (503) 338-8646, or send e-mail.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Yellow Mongoose Heist

It was not even a dark and stormy night when a yellow mongoose went missing. . . .

Mark wrote us the following saga:

Hi -

Well, it appears we have a case of mongoose theft. I checked into the post office this afternoon. Their records show the package was delivered to my mailbox last week. They suggested I contact the police as there have been a number of thefts from rural mailboxes lately.

I only wish I was there to see the look on the thief's face when he opened the box...

OK; so I'll be needing another mongoose. Since this is in no way you fault, I'll pay. Consider the other payment a donation.

In fact, send me two of the dang things. Might as well up the ante.

So, can you please issue me a paypal invoice for two snappy yellow mongooses?

But please send them to my PO Box instead of the street address.

Onward.

We liked Mark's letter so much, we sent him two free mongoose replacements for the use of his letter. Although we're very sorry the original mongoose was stolen and the delivery delayed, it's almost worth it to hear the story! We love to hear from you  :)  We hear tell these two mongooses are on their way to Hawaii to learn to play the ukulele.

Read more stories here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Scorpion for Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, we have a new plastic scorpion in our store!

Our Plastic Toy Scorpion Replica

This engaging, realistic-looking, plastic brown scorpion replica is really cool.. This scorpion replica is 3 7/8 long from pincers to tail. It is made of flexible rubber-like plastic and is smooth to the touch. It is in a striking pose and will be a great hit for a science project or when placed in a desert animal diorama. Check out our other scorpion toys and gifts. The scorpion looks black here because of the high contrast of the photo, but it's really a very dark brown.

About Scorpions

Scorpions are found in warm regions. They are arachnids, and therefore more closely related to spiders than to insects. They are found not only in the desert, but also in forests. They spend much of the day under logs and leaf litter, and feed mostly at night on spiders and insects. Most scorpions are only painful to humans and are not especially dangerous, although a few can deliver a fatal sting. Children and elderly people are more at risk from their venom than strong, healthy adults. The approximately 2,000 species of scorpion vary widely in size, from about 1/2 inch to 7 inches long. Our plastic scorpion is most likely an artistic version of the Arizona desert scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis pallidus), characterized by a dirty light brown/yellow color and a black to brown streak on its back. People have collected scorpions and made a commercial product out of them in the form of paperweights and keychains by placing them inside moulded plastic. Because of this, they have become over-collected and are now "a CITES-listed animal, meaning scorpions could be threatened with extinction if exportation and other threats, such as development, are not regulated." [Wikipedia]

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Munch munch for lunch

In the Fall it seems like the deer seem to be more brazen and appear more often along the roadways and in suburban areas.  Perhaps they have to eat more in preparation for Winter.  The green shrubs in the higher elevations have died  and the streams are dry forcing these ungulates to join mankind in town to celebrate Halloween.

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a wide selection of plastic and stuffed hoofed animals.Our plastic elk,  plastic reindeer and plastic caribou are nicely detailed and make interesting examples in science projects or as decorations. Also see our novel gift items such as white-tail deer eyeglass holders (peeper keepers) and our deer jewelry.

by Lee

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

call of the wild woodpecker

Hi there down below. I know you've been following me and watching my every move. Well if you really want to know what I am about it is really simple.  All I really care about is drumming and eating  insects.

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a large selection of stuffed bird toys and plastic birds. One special item is our specially-crafted plastic ivory-billed woodpecker. We don't have any talking birds  but we carry a wonderful selection of stuffed plush birds from the Audubon Bird Series that sing authentic calls.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Carved Wood Jaguar

This beautiful, silky-smooth carved wood jaguar from Colombia is new in our store.

Our Carved Wood Jaguar

Does this wooden jaguar show a posture of defense or attack? Its teeth barred, and the artist has portrayed it with its mouth open. The piece is handmade in Colombia, South America, of beautiful, natural palo de sangre wood. The shriny red of the wood is natural, and there is no finish or stain added. The surface shine and smoothness are created by rubbing the finished product in a way that burnishes it to a beautiful, silky lustre. Each jaguar is an individually-designed and carved work of art. No two are exactly the same, which is the reason our order button only allows you to order one. You will receive the exact jaguar you see on our web site. You can learn more about palo de sangre wood products from Colombia via this link, or check out our other jaguar toys and gifts. You can also look at all of our Latin American arts and crafts on this page. This jaguar was shipped to us by a Colombian conservationist to help raise funds for tapir conservation in Colombia.

About Jaguars

Jaguars are the third largest among the big cat family after the tiger and lion, and are extremely able fighters. The muscle mass of the jaguar is second only to that of the tiger among great cats. Jaguars are beautiful animals with colorful, spotted coats inhabiting a huge range from the southernmost parts of the United States and including most of South America. Larger and heavier than a mountain lion (or puma), the jaguar is the largest big cat in the Americas. Historically, jaguars lived as far north as Arizona, and there is still said to be small breeding population in that state, although most were extirpated here by the early 1900s. The jaguar prefers rainforest habitat, but will enter open countryside as well. They can usually be found near water, and, like the tiger, they will readily swim. The jaguar has incredibly strong jaws, biting its prey through the skull. It will eat mammals, but also reptiles, even biting into the shell of a turtle. Even with such a large range, the jaguar is severely threatened in many areas, and is regionally extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.