Plastic Grizzly Bear

This grizzly bear would be great for a school diorama on the Alaskan wilderness!

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horriblis, which translated means horrible Northern bear) are actually one of two subspecies of Brown bear (Ursus arctos); the other is the Kodiak (Ursus arctos middendorffi). Grizzlies get their name from the "grizzled" appearance of their coat that is created by the white tips of the long guard hairs on their back and shoulders. Their coat color can vary from light cream to black, but is generally darkish brown. Highly intelligent creatures, grizzlies find food by employing complex problem solving skills. Although mature grizzlies are very large - females are 200 to 450 pounds, males are 300 to 850 pounds - at birth the cubs are about the size of a rat, weighing only about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. Factors leading to their endangered status include: destruction of habitat, accidental killing by hunters who mistake them for black bears, illegal killing (poaching), etc.

Check out the realistic details of this hollow plastic bear. Come see our wonderful assortment of grizzly or brown bear toys and gifts.

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Flying Mallard Duck

Our flying mallard duck is the perfect addition to any bird or duck collection!

This flying mallard duck is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals, or in this case, plastic birds. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift. The duck's feet are tucked up and trailing behind him as if in flight. Just so you know, he does not stand up.

This duck is available for bulk pricing.  If you are interested in ordering a large quantity please either call us at (503) 338-8646 or email us at tapir@tapirback.com.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Meerkats Set

This adorable group of meerkats is perfect as a toy or for a school project!

Check out the details of these wonderful meerkats (Suricata suricatta) by Safari Ltd. Superior design and details make these museum-quality replicas or collector's items, and yet the price puts them in range for the average collector.They can also be used as a toys. These meerkats are very sturdy and made of solid plastic. Note the realistically textured bodies. An information card is included with your purchase. This plastic meerkat is great for school projects, toys, novelties, party favors and more. You can make an interesting African 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 :) Be sure to look over our other meerkat toys and gifts.

The civet family (Viverridae) includes binturongs, civet cats, falanoucs, fossas, genet cats, linsangs, mongooses and meerkats (which are actually a type of mongoose). They are related to the cat family but are not actually cats. They do have a cat-like body, but with shorter legs and a longer tail. Their face resembles that of a weasel. These mostly nocturnal (active at night) mammals are native to Asia (including Indonesia and the Philippines), Africa (including Madagascar) and southern Europe. Some species are terrestrial (ground dwellers), but most are arboreal (tree dwellers); some are carnivores (eat only meat) and others are omnivores (eat fruits and vegetables as well as meat). Civet cats have scent-producing glands that secrete a musky-smelling substance which is used as a perfume fixative.

Meerkats are diurnal, which means they are active during the day. They have an average life span of 12-14 years. Meerkat populations move whenever their food supply becomes depleted. Being omnivores, meerkats eat both plants and animals. Meerkats can even eat scorpions because they are immune to their venom. However, the most significant characteristic of meerkats is their altruistic behavior. They are one of the few mammal species that significantly cooperates and coordinates activities with each other. Meerkat mothers are given an opportunity to go out to feed themselves while their young are watched by other meerkats. In fact, some meerkats spend all or part of their lives helping others raise their young rather than breeding themselves.

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Detailed Plastic Elephant

This elephant is the perfect size for a school project and is very detailed!

This small elephant toy is made of solid white plastic. Colors are painted on. The detail is nice for such a small item. Come see our wonderful assortment of African elephant toys and gifts.

Until recently, it was believed that there were only two species of elephant - African and Asian (Elephas maximus). However, in 2004, DNA evidence proved that there are actually two true species of African elephant - African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). African savannah elephants are the largest elephant, African forest elephants are slightly smaller and Asian elephants are the smallest elephant. African elephants have larger ears than the Asian elephant. In the African species, both the male and female elephants have large visible tusks. In the Asian species only the males have large visible tusks. The females have small tusks called tushes that are not usually visible. African elephants only have one dome on the top of their head, and the flat forehead is slightly sloped. The Asian elephant has two distinct domes at the top of its head. There is a projection on the end of the elephant's trunk that is referred to as a "finger." African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk, and will use a grasping motion when picking things up. (This is much like the way we use our thumb and forefinger.) The Asian elephant has only one "finger," so it has to curl the end of its trunk around anything it wants to pick up. All three elephant species are endangered because of poachers who hunt them for their tusks.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Mandrill (Baboon)

Check out the color on this wonderfully detailed mandrill.

It's made of solid plastic with the colors painted on. Be sure to look over our other baboon and mandrill toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Moose

This cute plastic moose is perfect for school dioramas!

Although moose vary in size and shape, they are the largest members of the deer family. Males weigh on average over 550kg (1200 lbs) and females often more than 400kg. Newborn calves weigh around 15kg but quickly increase in size. Their color varies from a little brown to a dusty black depending on the season and age of the animal. Young calves are often a light rusty colour. The moose has a long nose, drooping lip, hump at the shoulders and small tail. The flap of skin that hangs beneath the throat is called a BELL. The correct name for female moose is a COW, the male is called a BULL and the young moose is called a CALF. Mothers are extremely aggressive, probably due to the scarcity of food in the winter, their greatest threat to survival.

This nicely-detailed moose toy animal is made of solid white plastic with the colors painted on. It measures 2 inches nose to rump and stands 1 3/4 inches to the top of the antlers. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic herbivore is for decoration or play only. You can make a marvelous deer family 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 :) Be sure to look over our other moose toys and gifts.

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Tapir Plush Toy

Our wonderful stuffed tapir by Hansa is back in the store and ready to ship!

Our stuffed tapir from Hansa is hand-made in the Philippines and is based on the look of a real animal. This tapir is special! Not only are toy tapirs as rare and endangered as their real-life counterparts, but this one embodies Hansa's dependable quality construction and lifelike appearance. Hansa creates each animal with great care from the drawing board to the last stitch. The animals are hand made, the fabrics designed and purchased in small quantities to suit each design. The dark fur is a chocolate brown; the light fur is white. Yanisa's eyes have a plastic lid over them, giving them character and appeal. We have to tell you that the tail is white, not dark as in a real tapir but we hope her shining personality makes up for this.

Our Stuffed Tapir

We've named our tapir "Yanisa," after the half-Thai daughter of a Russian tapir fan and corespondent. The name sounds beautiful, but it also means "Wisdom" in the Thai language. One of our favorite tapir quotes comes from Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, who, after describing in the book Travelers' Tales Thailand, said: "Many years earlier, a traveler in Burma had described the tapir as 'an enigma,' a survivor of a 'more gentle and legendary time . . . wandering in unique isolation in a world not yet mature enough for its wisdom.'" So, what better name could we choose for this beautiful tapir?

This tapir's feet are quite realistic with a lifelike soft hoof on each of the toes. In addition, it is one of the few tapir toys we've seen that has the correct number of digits per foot! Yanisa has four toes on each front foot, and three on each back foot. You have to look carefully to see that fourth toe, but it is there! Look at the pleasing face and "signature" long tapirlike nose. Our stuffed tapir stands 7 1/2 inches tall and measures 13 1/2 inches long. Check out our other tapir toys and gifts. Read more about real tapirs on our Tapir Gallery web site. You can also contribute to their conservation through Club Tapir. Your Club Tapir donation does not have to be processed separately, but can be added to your shopping cart! Your purchase helps save endangered animals!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

100 Iguana Puppets Ready to Travel

January 14, 2010

One hundred stuffed iguana hand puppets (see below) are literally on their way out the door. We offer a variety of purchase options. May of our customers only need one item, be it large or small, and we're happy to accommodate. We do it every day. Others are looking for a multiple of one animal (often we are the only source for this option), and others want to put together a set or collection of their own choosing (one of this, two of that, three of this, one of this, etc.). We are happy to put these orders together for you!

Still others are looking for bulk quantity and wholesale pricing. We can do this, too. Price depends on the item and how we obtain it. Sometimes we can give true wholesale pricing, and sometimes we cannot, but we will do our best to work with you to get the items you need.

For questions on orders large or small, send e-mail or call us at (888) 325-3179 in the U.S. or from around the world: (503) 338-8646.

It's been pouring here in Astoria for at least three days (the entire winter has been wet, I'm only talking about the last time we saw the sun). Do you think the iguanas will mind the weather?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Mallard Duck

Come check out our new plastic mallard duck!

Our Plastic Mallard Duck

Our plastic mallard duck is 1 3/4 inches from tail to beak and 1 1/4 inches tall. It is made of white plastic with brown wings, a green head, and orange beak and fins. This duck would make a great addition to any school project or diorama on ducks or farm animals. It would also make a great party favor or toy. Check out our other duck toys and gifts.

 

About Mallard Ducks

The Mallard, or Wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is probably the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks. The male birds have a bright green head and the female birds have a light brown head. Mallard ducks live in wetlands and eat water plants. They are gregarious, migratory birds that form large flocks. Mallards ducks can reach 26 inches in length, have a wingspan of 39 inches, and weigh close to 3 pounds. Females can lay 8-13 eggs, which are incubated for 27-28 days before hatching. The duckling are born able to swin and feed themselves but stay near their mother for protection.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Hippopotamus

This amazing plastic hippopotamus is perfect for school projects!  Bulk pricing discounts are available for this hippo.  Please contact us if you are interested in the bulk pricing discounts by calling (503) 338-8646 or by email at tapir@tapirback.com.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Our adorable plastic hippo measures 5 inches long from nose to tail. Notice the detailing of our hippo’s flat, paddle-like tail, feet with its webbed toes and thick skin which is virtually hairless. The texture and skin coloring of our hippo give it a realistic quality. Our plastic hippo is perfect for your diorama or for play in your imaginary African river or Safari scene. Our plastic hippo plays well with others and is low maintenance with no feeding or clean up required! See our other plastic African Safari animals in the various categories on our home page. We also have African animals on our Stuffed Animal page. This toy or model hippo is hollow and light weight, and therefore less likely than a heavier toy to break or damage items if thrown by small children. It will also float.

About Hippos

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse", is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other is the pygmy hippopotamus). The hippopotamus is the third largest land animal (after the elephant and the white rhinoceros) and the heaviest, despite being considerably shorter than the giraffe. The hippopotamus is recognizable by its barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, nearly hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 19 mph over short distances. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is often regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos throughout Sub-Saharan Africa; Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000-30,000) possess the largest populations. Hippos are still threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. A hippo's lifespan is typically 40 to 50 years. Donna the Hippo, 57, is the oldest living hippo in captivity. She lives at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana. The oldest hippo ever recorded was called Tanga; she lived at Tierpark Hellabrunn in Munich, Germany, and died in 1995 at the age of 61.

Hippos spend most of their days wallowing in the water or the mud, with the other members of their pod. The water serves to keep their body temperature down, and to keep their skin from drying out. With the exception of eating, most of hippopotamuses' lives - from childbirth, fighting with other hippos, and reproduction - occur in the water.

Hippos leave the water at dusk and travel inland, sometimes up to 5 miles, to graze on short grass, their main source of food. They spend four to five hours grazing and can consume 150 pounds of grass each night. Like almost any herbivore, they will consume many other plants if presented with them, but their diet in nature consists almost entirely of grass, with only minimal consumption of aquatic plants. Hippos have (rarely) been filmed eating carrion, usually close to the water. There are other reports of meat-eating, and even cannibalism and predation. The stomach anatomy of a hippo is not suited to carnivory, and meat-eating is likely caused by aberrant behavior or nutritional stress.

The diet of hippos consists mostly of terrestrial grasses, but they spend most of their time in the water. Most of their defecation occurs in the water, creating allochthonous deposits of organic matter along the river beds. These deposits have an unclear ecological function. Because of their size and their habit of taking the same paths to feed, hippos can have a significant impact on the land they walk across, both by keeping the land clear of vegetation and depressing the ground. Over prolonged periods hippos can divert the paths of swamps and channels.

Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 3 to 5 minutes. Adult hippos cannot swim and are not buoyant. When in deep water, they usually propel themselves by leaps, pushing off from the bottom. They move at speeds of up to 5 mph in water. However, young hippos are buoyant and more often move by swimming - propelling themselves with kicks of their hind legs. Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 3 to 5 minutes. The young have to breathe every two to three minutes. The process of surfacing and breathing is automatic, and even a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking. A hippo closes its nostrils when it submerges.

Adorable Stuffed Raccoon

This is one raccoon you would love to snuggle with!

Our stuffed raccoon is lifelike and sturdy. It has a few "beans" inside, but basically it looks and feels like a regular stuffed animal. The nose and eyes are made of black plastic, and the claws are made of soft felt so they can't scratch. Our stuffed raccoon is cuddly and adorable, and has a curious look in its wise-looking eyes. The size is big enough to be snuggled by an adult or child, and its sturdy body makes a good place to rest a little one's weary head. It would make a good companion on trips as well as at home. See our other raccoon toys and gifts.

Raccoons are related to the cacomistle or bassarisk, a small ring-tailed mammal found from Oregon to Mexico. Other relatives are the coati mundi, kinkajou, and red panda. Raccoons belong to the Family Procyonidae. The giant panda was once classified as a member of the raccoon family, but is now considered to be a true bear. According to Wikipedia, "Raccoons are unusual, for their thumbs (though not opposable) enable them to open many closed containers (such as garbage cans and doors). They are omnivores with a reputation for being clever and mischievous; their intelligence and dexterity equip them to survive in a wide range of environments and are one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that have enlarged its range since human encroachment began (another is the coyote).

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Playful Plastic Otter with Starfish

Check out this cute, playful otter!

This plastic otter with starfish is one in 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. Our plastic otter with starfish measures 6 inches from the top of the head to tail. Be sure to see our other otter toys and gifts.

There are a number of different species of otter. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) was hunted to near extinction for its soft, thick, lustrous, fur in the 18th and 19th centuries. By 1911 it was close to extinction when an international treaty gave it complete protection. Since January, 1977, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed sea otters on the Endangered Species List. Protected in the U.S., Canada, and Russia, sea otters have made a remarkable recovery. An estimated 150,000 sea otters now inhabit Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Another 17,000-18,000 live in Russia and northern Japan, 2200 in California, 1000 in British Columbia, and 500 in Washington. The world's sea otter population is now estimated at between 25,000 and 40,000 individuals. Sea otters possess the thickest fur of any mammal, an estimated 800 million hairs (a million hairs per square inch!) cover their bodies. In comparison, dogs have approximately 60,000 hairs per square inch, and the average human head contains only 100,000 total. Sea otters do not have deposits of fat under their skin to keep them warm, instead they depend on air trapped in their thick fur for insulation against the cold. Consequently, pollution from oil spills is a major threat to these animals. Currently, the toxic effects of TBT on marine wildlife have caused recent sea otter deaths off the coast of America. TBT is a toxic chemical used to undercoat ships to prevent the build-up of algae and mollusks. Dolphins, whales, sea lions, otters, sea birds and fish are being poisoned by this highly toxic paint in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. (Sea otter research by Joslyn Biggins.)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Translucent Day-Glo Fantail Goldfish

This goldfish makes bath time fun!

This bright orange goldfish is made of hollow, flexible plastic, and measures 7 inches from nose to tail. It will float on its side (sorry it does not look like it's swimming), and you can squeeze it under water to fill up the hollow inside. When you take it out of the water, you can squeeze it again and it will squirt out of its mouth. It makes a realistic and fun bath toy. It can also be used as interesting decor in your home. Because of its bright color and the translucent plastic (the fins are actually transparent), it was hard to photograph. The color is BRIGHT - almost day-glo orange. The eye is painted black and white. Come see our wonderful assortment of plastic fish toys.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.