Stuffed Porcupine Hand Puppet

Our Stuffed Porcupine Hand Puppet is adorable.

Porcupines are rodents best known for their coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. The porcupines include the third largest rodent, after the capybara and the mara. Most porcupines are about 25-36 inches (60-90 cm) long, with a 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) long tail. Weighing between 12-35 pounds (5-16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from combining the Latin for pig and French for spine, hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal, according to Wikipedia.

Our captivating stuffed porcupine hand puppet measures 12 inches from nose to tail, stands 6 1/4 inches high and is very kid friendly. It's quills are soft fake fur, the claws are soft vinyl. The plastic eyes, filament whiskers, brown felt ears, pink fabric nostrils, legs and tail are securely fastened. The hand pocket, located under the tail, fits up to a grown-up-size hand and operates the head and front legs. It comes with an informational tag that includes an Iroquoise folktale about the porcupine's quills. Unlike many other puppets, this porcupine has all 4 feet so it is a cuddly stuffed toy as well as a puppet. To find our other puppet animals in this line, or see a list of our entire inventory of stuffed animals, beanies and puppets, check out our Stuffed Beanies and Plush Puppets Page.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Ecuadorian Poison Frog

Isn't our Ecuadorian Poison Frog colorful?

Check out our plastic Ecuadorian or Ecuador poison frog. It's one of several brightly-colored realistic plastic frogs to be found at Tapir and Friends. This plastic frog makes a wonderful educational toy or demonstration, is useful for shoebox dioramas and other school projects, can be a collector's item, a gift for your favorite frog fan, and more. Made of solid, rubbery plastic, it measures almost 2 inches long and is somewhat flexible. The plastic is solid, but not hard. Its underside is light blue, and the name "Ecuadorian Poison Frog" is moulded into the plastic. Be sure to see our other cool frog toys and gifts.

Epipedobates bilinguis is the scientific name for the The Ecuador or Ecuadorian Poison Frog. A member of the Dendrobatidae family, it is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and possibly Peru, according to Wikipedia. "Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss." Interestingly, at least two other non-poisonous frogs mimic the coloring of the Ecuadorian Poison Frog when they are found in the same area.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Scorpion

Don't worry, our Scorpion won't sting!

Our realistic-looking plastic desert scorpion is made of solid plastic, and measures 2 1/2 inches from the end of its pincers to the curve in its tail. The stinger at the end of the tail is dark brown, as is its back and the tips of its pincers. This plastic scorpion can be used as an educational toy, as part of a shoebox diorama or other school project, as a collector's item, an inexpensive gift for your favorite scorpion fan, and more. It is flexible, and is in an active striking pose. Be sure to see our other scorpion toys and gifts.

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.

Basking Shark

Our Basking Shark is awesome!

Our plastic basking shark is a realistic-looking plastic animal replica. It comes with lots of detail and a well defined large mouth with gills. It is 5 1/2 inches long and is suitable for a science project, a gag, or fits nicely into an animal collection. See also our other toy and replica assorted shark species as well as all of our other shark models, toys, and gifts.

About Basking Sharks

The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) can be found in all the oceans of the world. It is the second largest shark after the whale shark. It is usually about 20 feet in length, but adults may be as much as much as 30 feet. Basking sharks are often mistaken for great white sharks but couldn't be more different. Basking sharks are not agressive and feed on plankton. Basking sharks have a row of little teeth which are set in cavernous jaw. Basking sharks do not hibernate but dive to great depths and migrate huge distances to find plankton blooms. Because of their size, the basking shark has few predators. They are annoyed by lampreys which attach to them.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hummingbird

Check out our realistic hummingbird.

This 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.

Our plastic hummingbird measures 3-1/2 inches across the wing-span.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Queen Triggerfish

Isn't our Queen Triggerfish beautiful?

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Mandrill

Check out our awesome Mandrill.

This plastic toy mandrill is colorful! 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 Sea Plant

Check out our plastic sea plant.

Our sea plant is made of hard plastic and measures 1 1/8 inches tall. This plastic plant is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic sea plant is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make a beautiful sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Andrewsarchus

Isn't our Plastic Andrewsarchus fierce?

To date the only fossil remains found of this amazing ice age hoofed predator are a skull and a few bone pieces. They were found in Mongolia in 1924 during an expedition led by paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, for whom the creature is named. After extensive study of the skull, it was concluded that this creature was a member of the only known group of carnivorus hoofed mammals called Mesonychids, which looked somewhat like wolves with hoofed toes. Mesonyx obtusidens, a small North American relative, was the model for current depictions of this predator. From the size of the skull (3 feet long), it was determined that Andrewsarchus was approximately 6 foot tall at the shoulder and 13-18 feet long (over twice the size of today's brown bear), making it the largest carnivous mammal in the world.

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this Andrewsarchus'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 4 1/2 inches from the pointy teeth to the curve of the tail and stands 1 7/8 inches tall. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. This sturdy, durable prehistoric predator is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a marvelous Ice Age shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Come see our other ice age predator toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Dingo

Our Dingo is adorable.  Check him out!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic dingo miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose and sharp eyes. This dingo replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/8 inches long. Check out our other dingo toys and gifts.

About Dingos

The Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is often called the Australian native dog. It is a domesticated dog which has been wild for a thousand years and lives independently from humans. There are similar dogs living in Thailand. Dingoes have a relatively broad head, a pointed muzzle, and erect ears. The fur of dingoes is short, bushy on the tail, and varies in thickness and length, depending on the climate. The fur color is mostly sandy to reddish brown, but can include tan patterns and be occasionally black, light brown, or white. Dingos are very often nocturnal in warmer regions, but more active during the day in cooler areas. Their main time of activity is around dusk and dawn. The periods of activity are short (often less than one hour) with short times of resting. They have two kinds of movement: a searching movement, apparently associated with hunting, and an exploratory movement, probably for contact and communication with other dogs.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

DoDo Bird

Check out our awesome DoDo Bird.

Our realistic-looking plastic dodo bird brings ths marvelous extinct animal "back to life" in your school project or collection. It looks like the real thing and is a wonderful educational toy, useful for shoebox dioramas and other school projects, a collector's item, a gift for your favorite dodo (or dodo fan), and more. Made of solid, rubbery plastic, it measures 2 3/4 inches tall. The body is moulded to look like feathers that almost make it seem real. Its name is moulded into the underside as it is on many of our plastic animals. Be sure to see our other bird and extinct animal toys and gifts.

The dodo, a flightless bird about 3 feet (or 1 meter) tall, was found in only one place in the world - the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. It fed on fruit. The name of this bird is often equated with the condition of extinction - "extinct like the dodo," "dead as a dodo," "gone the way of the dodo bird." Within two hundred years of the arrival of Portuguese sailors on Mauritius in the 1500s, the dodo had become exterminated forever. The bird was last recorded alive in 1663. The starving sailors found the large dodo birds easy prey, as they were not afraid of humans and have been described as "clumsy." In fact, the name "dodo" comes from the word for "fool" in Portuguese. There is some disagreement over how much of the dodo's demise can be blamed directly on human consumption or whether it was the dogs, cats, rats, and pigs introduced to the island that destroyed their eggs. Both played a role. A number of dodos had been brought to Europe before their extinction, where they were variously drawn, painted, and stuffed. Like the bird itself, the dodo's remains, it seems, had also "gone missing," as no complete skeleton had been found for hundreds of years until the discovery by Dutch scientists of a dodo "mass grave" in 2005. Even a complete taxidermied dodo can no longer be seen, as the last surviving one in Oxford was seriously damaged. However, in recent years a slimmer replica has been made based on new data about the proportions of the bird. The dodo gained its place as the most famous extinct animal partly because of its appearance in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The dodo was a favorite of the author, "Lewis Carroll," whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. It is said that he stuttered, and often pronounced his name "Do-Do-Dodgson."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Flying Squirrel

Isn't our Stuffed Flying Squirrel amazing?

What about this exceptional stuffed flying squirrel? Although it's made of synthetic materials, it looks so real you'll hardly believe it's a cuddly stuffed animal - a toy, not the real thing! This stuffed squirrel comes with a piece of clear line attached so you can "fly" it in the air as seen in the photo, or you can hang it by the ring attached to the line.

Read more about Hansa stuffed animals and see our selection of Hansa squirrels and other rodents.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Floating & Squirting Plastic Crayfish

Our Crayfish floats and squirts!  Awesome!

Call it a crayfish, crawfish, or crawdad, this engaging, somewhat realistic-looking plastic crayfish is soft and flexible. It's made of bright, almost-day-glo orange rubbery plastic and is about the size of a real crayfish. It floats and it also can be filled with water to use as a squirting crayfish lawn or bath toy. It would make great table decorations at a crayfish festival or outdoor barbeque. It can also be used as a demo for a class project about crayfish or crustaceans. The underside is moulded with realistic shapes as is the top. Check out our other crayfish toys and gifts.

About Crayfish

The crayfish (also called crawfish, crawdad, and sometimes mudbug) is a smaller crustacean somewhat resembling the lobster, to which it is related. Crayfish live in fresh running water and are not very tolerant of pollution. There is an invasive species of crawfish (red swamp crawfish, red swamp crayfish, Louisiana crawfish or Louisiana crayfish) which lives in the Southeastern United States and is more tolerant of polluted water. The red swamp crawfish can become a pest when it appears in great numbers. It stands taller on its feet than the typical crayfish, and uses the ends of its claws to stand on. Crawfish prefer running fresh water in a location sheltered as much as possible from preditors. Crayfish in general survive best in climates where the water doesn't freeze clear to the bottom. They are prized by many for food. I once had some as pets, as we found them in the irrigation systems in Southern California. I was probably allowed to keep them in a big tub of water for a few days before we ate them. When you pick them up, you have to hold them behind the claws. I can tell you from experience that the claws can deliver quite a pinch if you let them reach your fingers! The word "crayfish" comes from the Old French word escrevisse. Although several species of crawfish live in many countries in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the reason we might associate this animal with our state of Louisiana is because 90 percent of the crawfish in the world come from that state, and 70 percent are consumed there. 70-80 percent of crawfish produced in Louisiana are red swamp crawfish with the remaining 20-30 percent being white river crawfish. As you can imagine, there are many tasty recipes for this freshwater relative of the lobster!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Red Butterfly

Our Red Butterfly is beautiful!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic butterfly is made of soft, flexible plastic. It is 2 1/4 inches long from front wingtip to rear wingtip. Our red butterfly may represent a true tropical butterfly, but we are not sure enough to call it one. If you can identify it, please e-mail us. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting party favor. Check out our other butterfly toys and gifts.

Butterflies are from the order Lepidoptera. They represent the adult stage of the insect with the caterpillar being the larval stage. This represents an amazing metamorphisis in nature. Some species can fly long distances and are important in the pollination of many plants. It has been suggested that butterflies are bitter in taste so birds tend to leave them alone. Without many predators, some butterflies can overpopulate an area and be a lovely pest to agriculture.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Anteater

Our Stuffed Anteater is Amazing!

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed giant anteater is soft and graceful. This plush anteater made by Fiesta is 22 inches long and is sewn with soft plush fabric and white and brown synthetic hair. It is sturdy enough to stand on its white feet with lovely brown claws. It has gentle hard plastic eyes and pink ears covered in synthetic fur. Our giant anteater replica has a kindly expression and promises to snuggle next to you. This stuffed anteater makes a wonderful gift for stuffed animal lovers and complements nicely any stuffed animal collection. Check out our other anteater toys and gifts.

The Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is found in Central and South America. It is an edentate, a mammal with no teeth. The giant anteater crushes insects, mainly termites, using hard growths inside its mouth. The anteater also swallows small pebbles and sand which stay in its stomach to help in digestion. The giant anteater grows to a size of 6 feet to 8 feet, including a 3 foot to 4 foot torso and tail. Generally it weighs from 65 to 140 pounds. This large edentate is covered with stiff, straw-like hair which grows up to 10 inches long on the tail. Anteaters may be grey or brown, but all have a diagonal black and white shoulder stripe. Anteaters have an amazing tongue. It can reach two feet in length, with a width of only 1/2 inch. The anteater can cover its tongue in a sticky saliva, allowing it to trap ants, and can extend and withdraw it up to 150 times per minute.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Squirting Cuttlefish

Our Cuttlefish squirts and is sure to bring hours of summer time fun!

This realistic-looking plastic cuttlefish squirts water from a tiny hole just below its eyes. It is light weight, squeezable, and looks a lot like the real thing. Although the tentacles are flexible, they are not posable. This plastic cephalopod is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic cuttlefish is for decoration or play only. Although it floats, it should NOT be put in your aquarium with living fish. However, you can make an awesome sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop.

About Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish, of which there are about 120 different species, are cephalopods. They are related to octopi, squid, and nautiluses. They are not fish, but are molluscs (or mollusks) and derive the name "cuttle" from an old German word meaning "pouch." Their bodies are composed of two long sucker-laden tentacles which are used to grab and secure prey - generally worms, small molluscs, crabs, shrimp and, unfortunately, other cuttlefish. Like other invertebrates and cephalopods, cuttlefish have a large internal shell (the cuttlebone) and two extraordinary w-shaped eyes, which, according to many scientists, are among the most developed in the animal kingdom. Although they can't see color, they distinguish contrast in great detail. Their eyes can work independently and one can look backwards as the other looks forward. As the eyes are fully developed at birth, it is thought that before hatching, cuttlefish eggs learn to recognize their future prey. Cuttlefish are found in warmer tropical waters, but not in the Americas. They use camouflage, rapid color change, and ink to communicate and to protect themselves from their many predators such as fish, sharks, dolphins, seals, and other cuttlefish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hedgehog

Our Hedgehog is adorable!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic hedgehog miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has detailed fur and is painted brown and gray. This hedgehog makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other hedgehog toys and gifts.

About Hedgehogs

The hedgehog is a small spiny nocturnal mammal which feeds primarily on insects. It gets its name because it is found frequently among hedgerows and has a small pig-like snout. The hedgehog has quills like a porcupine, except that they neither sting nor come free from the hedgehog's body. The hedgehog has few predators. Occasionally the hedghog is annoyed by larger mammals such as foxes, but in response it rolls up into a little ball to protect its soft belly. The hedgehog controls insect populations, but is vulnerable to agricultural and household pesticides. It lives for about seven years and produces litters of 3 to 4 young at least twice a year. Like many nocturnal creatures, the hedgehog is often run over by cars during the night.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tomato Frog

Our Tomato Frog is great!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic tomato frog miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has detailed skin and is painted in two shades of orange with distinct eyes and a yellow belly. This tomato frog replica makes for a nice pet, gag, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other frog toys and gifts.

About Tomato Frogs

The tomato frog has three similar species found only in Madacascar. When threatened the tomato frog puffs up and secretes an oily toxic substance which effects the eyes of predators and can cause a rash to the skin of humans. The Madacascar tomato frog grows to about 4 inches in length and is now on the endangered species list.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Galapagos Shark

Check out our Galapagos Shark. 

This exotic Galapagos shark is one in our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals found in the Galapagos Islands. 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 Galapagos shark measures 3 1/2 inches from nose to tail. Be sure to see our other shark toys and gifts.

The Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) is found around the warm waters of the Galapagos Islands, but not exclusively. It seems to follow warm currents into the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. It is related to the requiem shark. It has a grey to black top, a white belly, and a black tail edge. It is primarily a bottom feeder and can be found at depths of 60 feet. It is often as much as 10 feet long. The Galapagos shark has been threatened due to fishing, but is not considered endangered at this time.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Arctic Fox

Our Plastic Arctic Fox is a customer favorite!

Our arctic fox toy animal is made of solid plastic and measures 2 inches tall. Its name is molded into the underside. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic canine is for decoration or play only. You can make an outstanding arctic 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 fox toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Blue-Green Algae

How interesting!  Check out our Stuffed Blue-Green Algae.

This strange-looking stuffed blue-green algae is an unusual replica. It is 7 1/2 inches long, is made of green and tan synthetic fur, has large eyes, and wears a sympathetic expression. If you aren't an algae lover, you will be after you own these adorable little fellas. I am not sure you'll want to put it in your tub though! This plush blue-green algae toy makes a nice pet, a gift, toy or gag and could work well for a school play or show-and-tell as a school science project. Or maybe you have a biologist friend or teacher who needs an unusual gift! Check out our other aquatic plant toys and gifts.

About Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae is a parasitic cyanobacteria, also known as anabaena. It appears as a blue-green scum on water but can also be found on moist ground. It is a significant component of the nitrogen cycle and obtains its energy through photosynthesis. Blue-green algae can be alone or form huge colonies. The association of toxicity with such blooms has frequently led to the closure of recreational waters when blooms are observed.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Emerald Tree Boa Action Figure

What fun!  An Emerald Tree Boa Action Figure.

This emerald tree boa is made of hard plastic has movable parts that can possibly come apart and may or may not snap back together. The joints are meant to move the animal into different positions rather than to snap apart. Because snapping them apart results in small loose pieces, this toy is NOT recommended for very small children. It is great for school projects, dioramas, as a toy for older kids or grown-ups, party favors, collectibles, etc. It measures 4 inches from nose to tail, not counting its twisty curves. Not shown here because of the angle, the head does widen at the jaws to make a triangular shape as in a real boa. Come look through our entire collection of snake toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Grasshopper

Our Plastic Grasshopper is awesome.

This engaging, realistic-looking, plastic grasshopper is made of hard durable plastic. It is 3 inches long including flexible antennae. It makes a good replica in a shoe box diorama or for any school project. It is also an excellent party gag. Check out our other grasshopper toys and gifts.

Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. There are over 11,000 different species of grasshoppers and many more undistinguished varieties living in rainforests throughout the world. Grasshoppers make sound by rubbing their long hindlegs against their abdomen or by snapping their wings during flight. Grasshoppers are fun to catch and are a source of protein to many people in the world. Grasshoppers are low on the food chain and fall prey to other insects and birds. They are often used as bait for fishing.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Kangaroo with Baby

How cute is this? A mama Kangaroo and her Baby.

Our kangaroo toy animal is made of solid plastic and measures 2 1/2 inches long. It has a baby in its pouch. This educational plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic marsupial is for decoration or play only. You can make a marvelous Australian animals shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop.

About Kangaroos

The kangaroo is the national symbol of Australia and can only be found there. Male kangaroos are called bucks, boomers, jacks, or old men; females are does, flyers, or jills, and the young ones are joeys. They are often referred to as roos. The kangaroo's form of movement is hopping which they do at 13-16 mph. Kangaroos are herbivores, but the type of diet varies among the species. They are not raised commercially, but are hunted for their meat. It is thought that kangaroos would be a more environmentally friendly animal than the cow, since kangaroos don't emit menthane. Kangaroos tend to be crepuscular or nocturnal and choose to rest or sleep in the heat of the day.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Armadillo

Check out our Armadillo.

Our realistic-looking armadillo is a wonderful educational toy, useful for shoebox dioramas and other school projects, a collector's item, a gift for your favorite amadillo fan, and more. Made of solid, rubbery plastic, it measures 2 1/2 inches from its nose to the end of its tail. It stands about 1 inch tall. The body is moulded with a scaly pattern and has details that give the armadillo character. It is painted gray with black eyes. The details and pose (it appears to be walking or trotting in a rather animated way) make this small plastic armadillo especially cute. The word "ARMADILLO" is moulded in to the bottom. Be sure to see our other armadillo toys and gifts.

Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) such as the one you see here have been moving north from South America for the past three million years. Armadillos originated in South America about 50 million years ago, and the nine-banded moved north, crossing the Panamanian land bridge. It is the only armadillo species found in the US, where its range continues to expand. As the armadillo actually has teeth, it is no longer classed as Edentata ("without teeth") but is now usually grouped with the Xenarthra. We have left our armadillo on the Edentates page, because these are still its closest relatives. There are 20 species of armadillo living in Central and South America. Armadillos dig for grubs and create burrows near water with their powerful feet and claws. In addition to grubs, they also eat other insects and invertibrates. These interesting, inoffensive creatures can be seen along roadsides, trails, and streams (where you can see into the brush), usually around dawn and dusk.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tiger

Isn't this a realistic Tiger?

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic tiger miniature is made of sturdy, solid plastic. Its tail is somewhat flexible and rubbery, and its legs will flex very slightly. This replica has elaborate detail and is painted orange with the typical black stripes of all tigers. Our miniature tiger has a beautifully detailed face with somewhat orange eyes, a dark pink tongue, and yellowish teeth. It measures 7 inches from its light pink nose to the tip of its upturned tail. It appears to be vocalizing and intent on something in front of its intense gaze. This tiger can be used as a toy, kept as a collectible figurine, or added to a shoebox diorama for a school project. This tiger replica can be used as an educational toy to help children learn about endangered species and about wildlife on our planet. Check out our other tiger toys and gifts.

About Tigers

Although tigers (Panthera tigris) are so familar to us that we think they will be around forever, tigers are among the most seriously endangered of all animals. Three of the nine subspecies have already become extinct, and several of the six remaining are critically endangered. Tigers are the largest of the world's big cats. Their native habitats are in eastern and southern Asia. Tigers are carnivores, and are even feared by humans for their skill and natural tendencies as killers. They are heavy, well-muscled animals than can take down almost any prey they choose. But tigers are also a necessary part of any ecosystems in which they are found. It is important to remember that every part of the natural world plays its part. Not only are they feared, but they are to be admired. The tiger is certainly one of the most astonishingly beautiful animals on Earth, and one that has captivated human imaginations since the beginning of storytelling. Tigers may live 10 to 15 years in the wild, but can live over 20 years in captivity. The largest is the Siberian tiger, and the most numerous is the Bengal tiger. As odd as it may seem, many tigers swim and enjoy the water.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Leafy Sea Dragon

How cool!  Check out our Leafy Sea Dragon.

Our leafy sea dragon is made of hard plastic and measures 2 1/2 inches. This plastic leafy sea dragon is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic leafy sea dragon is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make a cool sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :)Check out our terrific selection of sea dragon and seahorse toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hyena

Don't be afraid!  Check out our realistic 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.

Sculpin

Check out our Red Sculpin.

Our red sculpin is made of hard plastic and measures 2 1/2 inches from nose to tail fins. This plastic fish is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic fish is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make an outstanding sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, and birds from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come look through our entire collection of plastic fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Octopus (Brown)

Our brown octopus has a cool, yellow underside!

This octopus is purple-brown in color and has a bright yellow underside with bumps that represent its suction feet. It is made of tough, flexible plastic. Use for sea-life dioramas, school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Be sure to look over our other octopus toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Cheetah

Check out our realistic looking 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.

Plastic Otter with Starfish

Check out our unique Plastic Otter with Starfish.

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.

Longhorn Bull

Check out our realistic Longhorn Bull.

Texas Longhorns weigh between 40 and 70 pounds at birth and grow to as much as 2,250 pounds when mature. Their signature horns grow quickly during the first four years; they can measure over 5 feet tip to tip. The Texas Longhorn is one of the few breeds of cattle to develop without the deliberate aid of man. Cattle are not native to this country. They were imported from Spain and other European countries by Spanish explorers and American settlers. A number of these cattle were either turned loose to fend for themselves or escaped captivity. They eventually became completely wild, with only the hardiest animals surviving and increasing the population. The Texas Longhorn resulted from crossbreeding amongst these wild cattle and between wild and domestic cattle. The Texas Longhorn is the official mascot of the University of Texas football team located in Austin, Texas.

Add this plastic Texas Longhorn bull to your collection or give it as a gift. It's made of sturdy plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic animals. Its realism and details give it its "museum-quality" status and makes it excellent for many uses, including collections, dioramas, school projects, and Christmas displays, as well as being an interesting toy. FOR ALL YOU TEXAS LONGHORN FOOTBALL FANS: although this is not an official replica of the mascot, it would be a great addition to your collection. The tail, legs and horns are somewhat flexible, although they are not posable. The word "TEXAS LONGHORN BULL" is cast on the belly.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Honeybee

Buzzzzzzzz!  Check out our Honeybee.

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic honeybee is made of hard, flexible plastic and is hollow. It is 2 3/4 inches long and is a 2 3/4 inches from leg to leg. Our honeybee is light yellow, orange, and black in color with detailed thick transparent detailed wings. Our honeybee replica promises neither to fly away nor sting. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting party favor or for a gag. Check out our other honeybee toys and gifts.

About Honeybees

Bees are insects, having six legs, a head, thorax and abdomen. Honey bees can be found worldwide. They live in hollw trees as well as in hives kept by beekeepers. The social behavior of these bees is very complex. The colony is made up of the queen bee, drone bees, and worker bees. The lifespan of the queen bee is usually two to three years. Worker bees are sterile female bees who collect, produce, and distribute honey, and also maintain the hive. These bees have pollen buckets on their hind legs as well as pollen scrapers to make their job easier. Worker bees are able to sting, but they die shortly afterwards. Honey bees help to pollinate flowers and crops and produce honey. Of the approximately 20,000 species of bee, fewer than 20 are considered true honey bees. These are classified in the genus Apis. "The first Apis bees appear in the fossil record at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, in European deposits dating about 35 million years ago" according to Wikipedia. This does not mean that honey bees originated in Europe, but only that they were there at that time.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Mosquito

Check out our stuffed mosquito, he won't bite!

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed mosquito is soft and floppy. The wings are securely sewn onto the back and are made of a shimmery fabric which reflects the light in rainbow colors. The legs are long and gangly and are made of soft plush fabric allowing for a myriad of postions. The feet have soft plastic tips. Check out our other mosquito toys and gifts.

The word "mosquito" means "small fly" in Spanish (the word for "fly" is "mosca"). Mosquitoes (the plural can be spelled "mosquitos" or "mosquitoes") are any of a number of two-winged insects of the family Culicidae. The females suck the blood of mammals (inlcuding humans) and some mosquitoes transmit yellow fever and malaria.Usually, the "bite" results only in a small bump that becomes red and itchy for a few days. Mosquitoes feed on nectar, and neither the males nor the females need blood to survive. The blood provides protein for the development and laying of eggs. This is why only the females seek blood. The "bite" is not actually a bite. The mosquito injects a tiny feeding tube into the skin of the animal or human in order to withdraw blood. Mosquitos are believed to have evolved in the Jurassic Period (the age of large dinosaurs), but the first known fossils are from the Cretaceous Period (the last of the dinosaurs and an age when many new species began to proliferate), between 144 and 65 million years ago. There are currently about 3,500 species of mosquito worldwide. Some of their past ancestors were about three times the size of the mosquitos that live in the world today. Mosquitos usually shelter in shaded areas during the day and feed at dawn and dusk. They can also be active at night, and sometimes fly up to about 5 miles in a night.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Clam

Check out our great plastic clam.

Our beautifully detailed toy clam replica is made of hard plastic and measures 1 1/4 inches tall. This plastic shellfish clam replica is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic clam is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make a wonderful sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank cleaning :) Be sure to look over our other miscellaneous aquatic toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Emperor Penguin Chick

Our Emperor Penguin Chick would make a great addition to your collection. 

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.

Cockroach

Check out our slightly disgusting cockroach!

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic hissing cockroach is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 3 inches long and 1 3/4 inches across from leg tip to leg tip. Our cockroach comes from Madagascar and is large with orange and black stripes. Our hissing cockroach replica is a little disgusting, but promises not to bite. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting party favor or for a gag. Check out our other cockroach toys and gifts. Just to clarify, our toy cockroach does not make any noise - that's the species name of the real cockroach.

About Cockroaches

Hissing cockroaches are of the genus (Gromphadorhina portentosa) are found in Madagascar and are among the largrest cockroaches in the world.They are wingless and are often 2-3 inches long. They live in rotting logs and feed on rotting material and last for about five years. It gets its name by forcing air through its breathing pores in its abdomen, whereas other insects make sound by rubbing legs together.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Holstein Calf

Our holstein calf is a cutie!

This realistic-looking plastic Holstein calf is made of hard plastic and is constructed with attention to detail. It is 2 3/4 inches long and 2 inches tall. This Holstein calf makes a nice pet, a gift, fits into a cow collection, or is useful for a diorama depicting the dairy industry or a scenic pasture. You might even use this plastic calf as part of a Christmas manger scene. Check out our other cow toys and gifts.

About Holstein Cows

The Holstein cow is a popular dairy cow which originated in what is today Holland. The Dutch breeders bred and oversaw the development of the breed with the aim of obtaining animals which would make best use of grass. The result was an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy cow. It is black and white due to artificial selection by the breeders. It is the most common dairy cow in America.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Soft Play Thorny Devil

Isn't our Soft Play Thorny Devil awesome?

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.