Animal Drinking Cups

Perfect for parties or everyday use!

Our Plastic Animal Drinking Cups

THESE ARE NOT "SIPPY CUPS"! Our animal cups are an excellent alternative to sippy cups. Doctors, dentists, pediatricians, parents, grandparents and other care-givers are moving away from sippy cups due to the discovery that cavities in young children may be exacerbated by the shape of the sippy cup. Our animal cups have the regular rim of a plastic mug, but are made in small sizes for children. Each cup is 3 inches tall, 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and holds 7 1/2 oz. of liquid when filled. They are dishwasher safe, very durable, and come in four colors and a variety of animals. The manufacturer's test results showed that the plastic is NOT TOXIC for small children. Also, in regards to another question, the Safety Department at K&M International (the importer) tells us, "They have been tested and do not contain Bisphenol A." (Bisphenol A is a chemical sometimes found in clear, flexible plastics."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Groundhog

Hibernate 'til Spring with this lovable little guy!

Our Plush Groundhog

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed groundhog, marmot, woodchuck is soft and cuddly. It stands 13 inches tall and has a 6 inch tail.The back feet are somewhat adjustable, allowing this plush groundhog to stand easily without falling over. The plump huggable body is made of realistic fur-like material with felt inside the ears, a soft plastic nose and gold-brown comforting eyes. This groundhog makes a nice pet or a gift and fits nicely in a stuffed animal collection. Do you know anyone who loves the movie Groundhog Day and has seen it over and over and over again? (Um,sorry, I couldn't help it!) Anyway, this could be the perfect gift for fans of Groundhog Day or could add to your Groundhog Day celebration! It's a very nice stuffed toy! Check out our other squirrel and groundhog toys and gifts.

About Groundhogs

The groundhog (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 groundhog must cope with wolves, foxes and large hawks as predators, but has 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.

Plastic Dunkleosteus

"I think we need a bigger boat."

Amity Police Chief Brody

JAWS

Our Plastic Dunkleosteus

Our plastic dunkleosteus is a fearsome-looking creature of the prehistoric seas. Made as a museum-quality replica, the shape is true to life based on fossil remains. As with any re-created fossil animal, the coloring is left to the imagination. In this case, the plastic prehistoric fish is painted a strikingly attractive gold with black designs. The bony plates are clearly represented both on the top and bottom of the fish. The hard jaws and bony teeth match those in the fossil remains. Our plastic replica comes with a small informational tag in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. See more of our extinct animal toys and gifts.

About Dunkleosteus

Dunkleosteus had armor-like plates covering their bodies and grew to enormous size. Imagine one of these fierce creatures the size of a school bus! Dunkleosteus may have been cannibalistic, eating members of its own species. Dunkleosteus evolved in the Silurian Period and became extinct in the Late Devonian (the Devonian was the great age of fishes). It seems to have been a voracious predator, an eating machine that practically knew no bounds. The fossil record suggests that it often ate so much that it regurgitated partially-digested fish when it was over-filled or got indigestion. Although it had no teeth, dunkelosteus had razor-like, bony jaws that were self-sharpening. That, coupled with its strong jaws made it easy for dunkleosteus to slice into its prey - often creatures that were much larger than itself. Experts believe that only T-Rex and alligators have had the jaw-strength of this underwater predator. It was an interesting early "experiment," but it failed over time. Although dunkelosteus lived for about 60 million years, sharks have lived for about 400 million years. There are no living descendants of this prehistoric fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Northern Goshawk Replica

An agile and cunning woodland predator!

Our Plastic Northern Goshawk Replica

Our realistic-looking plastic northern goshawk replica is is somewhat flexible. It stands firmly on the ground with its wings outstretched, but you can bend the feet, wings and tail. They will spring back to the original position, but the flexiblity and rubber-like surface insure that they are not likely to scratch or injure a child. This toy hawk could be useful to hawk collectors, as a gift to a child to help teach them about animals, as part of a school diorama, or as a bit of decor for your home. The hawk's lifelike appearance makes it one of the items we refer to as "museum-quality," as you might find this bird in a museum diorama or gift shop. The shapes of the feathers are moulded into the plastic on both the top and bottom side of the bird, and the legs are also textured. Check out our other eagle, hawk, and other raptor toys and gifts.

About Northern Goshawks

The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a medium-large raptor occupying the temperate parts of the northern hemishpere. It is the only species of goshawk in North America and Europe, where it is referred to simply as "goshawk" (which means "goose-hawk"). They range in weight from 18 ounces to nearly 5 pounds, and can have a wingspan ranging from 35 to 50 inches. Like all raptors of the family Accipiter (including eagles, buzzards, and harriers), males are 10-25% smaller than females.

Hunting primarily in woodland habitats, the northern goshawk ambushes its prey through a combination of speed and obstucting cover, feeding on any small mammals or birds they are lucky enough to find.

In North America, several conservation organizations petitioned the United States Government in 1991 and 1997 to list the Northern Goshawk as 'threatened' or 'endangered', primarily due to the loss of natural habitat due to clear-cutting of old-growth forests throughout the goshawk's habitit. Both petitions were denied.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Field Mouse Finger Puppet

An adorable little companion!

Our Field Mouse

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed field mouse finger puppet is soft and sturdy. The fur and ears are of light brown soft plush fabric, and the body is especialy silky-feeling. The feet are made of a finely-textured, flexible felt. The tail is a soft cotton rope. All materials are of the quality and style that make Folkmanis products famous. Our field mouse replica has a kindly expression and promises not to scurry away. This miniature field mouse finger puppet makes a nice pet, a gift, or toy for children or adults and could work well for a school play or show-and-tell as a school science project. Check out our other mouse toys and gifts.

About Field Mice

Field mice can be any of a number of rodents, often voles. They are cousins to rats, but don't have the two sharp distinctive sharp front teeth of rats and have much smaller front claws. They also have long, hairless tails. Field mice are incredibly quick and are allegedly quite intelligent. Studies show that field mice often think out a strategy to get out of a complicated situation. Field mice are scavengers and will eat almost anything. They have a good sense of smell and find their way easily to any food source, especially one inside a building. Field mice are prey to a long list of animals, including, of course, cats, owls, snakes, and birds. That is why field mice tend to be nocturnal.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Freddie the Freediver

Introducing the newest member of the TPF Team!

Meet Freddie, the Freediver!

Freddie is an adventurous, outgoing lad who enjoys nothing more than visiting the vast aquatic regions of the world. Equipped only with fins, a mask, and unlimited curiosity, Freddie explores ocean reefs, lake bottoms, and submerged rock formations, all on a single gulp of air! Wanna come freediving with Freddie? Take a deep breath! This superbly detailed 3.5-inch plastic figure is equally at home in a school project or a toybox. Come see our SCUBA diver and sealife accessories and the many aquatic animals and fish our divers like to swim with! All are perfect for your shoebox diorama or as additions to your empty (no real fish) fish tank!

About Freediving

In general terms, freediving describes any aquatic activity that involves submerged swimming without the assistance of a breathing apparatus. To various degrees, freediving includes breath-hold diving, breath-hold spearfishing and hunting, snorkeling, breath-hold underwater photography, and the various sports of competitive apnea.

Humans were diving in the ocean’s depths long before the invention of mechanical breathing apparatus. Around the world, people used freediving to collect both food and products for sale. To this day, freedivers like the Korean haenyeo and the Japanese ama divers continue to ply their trade without the assistance of SCUBA or rebreathers. As a source of recreation, freediving is an activity that allows the participant to determine the level of adventure, activity, and relaxation they experience, based on their level of physical fitness and interest.

As a competitive sport, freediving has evolved many recognized disciplines, most of which involve depth, distance, or time submerged as the goal. Two world associations, AIDA International and CMAS, govern this sport and recognize nine specific disciplines, while another dozen disciplines of freediving are only practiced locally. All disciplines can be practiced by both men and women.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Toy Bobcat

Garfield's ferocious country cousin!

Our Plastic Bobcat

Our plastic bobcat is 1 3/4 inches long and 1 inch tall. It has good detail including a pink nose and a black-tipped bobbed tail. This plastic toy or replica bobcat works well for school projects and dioramas as well as for decorations, collections of animal figurines, etc. Be sure to see our other bobcat and lynx toys and gifts.

About Bobcats

The bobcat (Felis rufus) is one of the most interesting desert animals found in North America. It likes to live in arid brushy areas where it preys on small mammals, especially rabbits. It is often a problem to sheep ranchers, as lambs are an easy meal for the bobcat. It also enjoys visiting the chicken coop. The bobcat gets its name from its short black-tipped bobbed tail and is distinguishable from its cousin, the lynx, which is larger and has a slightly longer all-black tail. Even though the bobcat looks like a cute pussycat, it is fierce with an extremely agressive growl and snarl. The bobcat is trapped for its fur and is under greater pressure for survival as more population moves into semi-arid and arid regions. It is not presently endangered but its fate remains uncertain as human contact increases.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Trilobite

No evolution diorama is complete without them!

Our Plastic Trilobite Replica

Made of solid plastic, this trilobite'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. Topside details include blue-gray eyes and the three ridged lobes for which it was named. The underside also shows the three segments and details of the trilobite's anatomy. It measures 2 inches wide by 3 inches long. The word "Trilobite" is embossed on the underside. Our model trilobite is made in Germany and hand painted; it comes with an informational tag in both German and English. This sturdy, durable trilobite is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. Our plastic trilobite is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium with living fish or other aquarium dwellers. However, you can make a terrific ancient sea life shoebox diorama using this wonderful plastic trilobite replica.

About Trilobites

Trilobites were an early form of life on earth that have left many fossils, some of which has been made into beautiful jewelry including a 25,000 year old Cro-Magnon pendant. They appeared about 600 million years ago during the Cambrian period and are believed to be the first animal to have sight. This simple, unassuming creature evolved to become one of the most successful lifeforms in our planet's history. Their descendants include centipedes, spiders, crabs, shrimps and insects. Trilobites lived in shallow seas, swimming, crawling, and burrowing.  You can learn more about these interesting creatures at trilobite.com.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Toy Black Carpenter Ant

Wanna go for a picnic?

Our Plush Black Ant

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed black ant is soft and cuddly. Its body is made of soft plush fabric and shows well-defined segments. The body is black and has large plastic eyes and fine antenna. Our black ant replica has a kindly expression and promises not to chew your belongings. This carpenter ant makes a nice pet, gift, novelty, presentation piece for a school project,or gag gift. See our other ant toys and gifts.

About Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are of the genus Camponotus and are known as carpenter ants because they live in colonies in galleries they excavate in wood. Carpenter ants do not eat the wood they remove during their nest-building activities, but deposit it outside entrances to the colony in small piles. The wood is used solely as a nesting site. The galleries of carpenter ants are kept smooth and clean and make easily used runways. Carpenter ants are active indoors during many months of the year, usually during the spring and summer. When ants are active in the house during late winter/early spring, the nest is probably within the house. When carpenter ants are first seen in the spring and summer (May/June), then the nest is likely outdoors and the ants are simply coming in for food. The natural food of the ants consists of honeydew from aphids, other insects, and plant juices, but they will readily forage for water and food scraps within the house.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Wild Boar

Powerful and ferocious, this animal captures the imagination!

Our Plastic Wild Boar

This beautifully detailed wild boar is 5 1/2 inches from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The body has a fur-like pattern and details that almost make it seem real. It is made of sturdy plastic and is very durable. Previously, this boar was misidentified as a warthog. Our thanks to Winged Wolf for helping us correctly identify this toy animal. Be sure to look over our other pig family toys and gifts.

About Wild Boars

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is part of the biological family Suidae, which includes many subspecies including the domestic pig. While wild boar are native in Northern and Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and much of Asia, wild boar have been introduced to the Americas and Australia as hunting stock. Individual animals range in size from 110 - 660 pounds depending on their environment. Adult male boars grow tusks that serve as both weapons and tools. The tusks grow continuously throughout the boar's life and remain sharp, with the upper and lower tusks grinding together.

The primary predators of adult wild boar are tigers and wolves where they coexist. Tigers have been known to chase wild boar longer and over greater distance than other prey, and a single wolf pack can consume as many as 50-80 wild boar annually in the former Soviet Union. However, this is hardly a one-sided contest. Adult male wild boars have on many occasions been recorded goring tigers to death, and are more than a match for any wolf one-on-one.

The wild boar holds a place of distinction in human culture and mythology. Boars were revered by the Celts, Norse, Romans, and Gauls. They feature prominantly in the Hindu faith, are one of the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac, and have appeared many times in ancient and modern heraldry.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Horseshoe Crab

One of evolution's most successful designs!

Our Plastic Horseshoe Crab

This educational, realistic-looking plastic horseshoe crab replica is almost 6 1/2 inches long from nose to tail. It is made of solid hard plastic with a 4 inch body, but flexible around the edges and has a flexible tail. It has small distinct eyes. Our miniature horseshoe crab has a kindly demeanor and doesn't bite. This horseshoe crab replica makes a nice pet, a gift or fits into a diorama. Check out our other crab toys and gifts.

About Horseshoe Crabs

The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is a marine animal more closely related to spiders than to crabs. It is found mainly in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Gulf of Mexico. The horseshoe crab is a living fossil with its closest relatives living 230 million years ago, the now extinct trilobites. Horseshoe crabs have three main parts to the body: the head region, known as the 'prosoma', the abdominal region or 'opisthosoma', and the spine-like tail or 'telson'. The carapace or shell is shaped like a horseshoe, and is greenish grey to dark brown in color. Many other marine creatures such as anemonies live on the horseshoe crab's shell and have a symbiotic relationship with the crab, which looks fierce but is quite a harmless, gentle animal.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Polar Bear

Snuggle up to this cute little bear!

Our Stuffed Polar Bear

Our very endearing stuffed polar bear is especially soft and cuddly. He has long, velvety fur and can either stand on all fours or sit like a real polar bear. This soft toy bear measures 11 inches from nose to tail, and measures about 6 and a half inches when standing up. It has velvety soft foot pads, stitched to look like the feet of a real bear, and it has a black fabric nose. The line of the mouth is stitched, and there is nothing to scratch small children. We do recommend removing the round wooden "Wild Republic" tag before you give the bear to a small child. Our polar bear is from the "Signature Series" of stuffed animals by Wild Republic, a brand you know and trust as always maintining the highest standards of toy safety in today's world. All parts of this toy bear are non-toxic and surface washable. He's not only cuddly, he's also colletible. He would like to come home with you and he promises not to bite or scratch! Check out our other polar bear toys and gifts.

About Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) live in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia, mainly within the Arctic Circle. They are adapted for living on ice and snow, and have evolved to fill a small niche in the ecosystem. The polar bear's diet consists mainly of seals. There has been a lot in the news lately about the plight of polar bears due to the thinning ice in their Arctic home. The IUCN now lists global warming as the most significant threat to the polar bear, primarily because the melting of its sea ice habitat reduces its ability to find sufficient food. Polar bears are the world's largest carnivore species found on land. They are also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak bear, which is about the same size.

The hang tag on our stuffed polar bear says, "Thick waterproof fur and layers of fat keep polar bears warm and dry in the coldest Arctic climate. To escape icy winds, they use sharp claws to dig dens of ice and snow. Polar bers are excellent swimmers and may swim for miles in search of food. On land, their white fur helps them blend in with their snowy environment."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Hedgehog Finger Puppet

A cute and cuddly playmate!

Our Plush Hedgehog Finger Puppet

This adorable little stuffed hedgehog finger puppet is both realistic and extremley soft. Our hedgehog is 5 1/2 inches long and has been finely crafted by Folkmanis. It has a lined pocket to control its little head and tender fur covering its body. You'll enjoy talking to your new found friend and stroking him to sleep.Be sure to see 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 actually few predators. Occasionally the hedghog is annoyed by larger mammals such as foxes but, in response, roll 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 3-4 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.

Custom-Made Tapir Jewelry

Never has conservation looked so stylish!

Our Custom-Made Tapir Jewelry

This animal jewelry is unique! Any item can be ordered in a variety of colors. This sturdy, light-weight asian tapir aluminum jewelry is made by Corinna Bechko, who is not only an artist, but has worked at the Los Angeles Zoo in the research division. She attended the Jewelry Arts Academy in Manhattan. What a lucky day it was for us when she discovered our web site and suggested we might want to see the jewelry she makes!

Corinna designed these inspired earrings especially for the Tapir Gallery Gift Shop. They are made of lightweight, durable aluminum in two colors. Our standard tapir design is about an inch long and is made with black and silver-gray metal, but you can choose from a number of other colors as listed in the drop-down menus above. Pendants and earrings come with a bead. Corinna will try to find any color you want, so bead choices are almost endless. The pendants hang on a 17-inch black silk cord (included). Your color choice can be made up quickly - probably in only a few days. You will find examples of the earrings, pins and pendants and some color combinations, as well as the other animal types we sell, on our page of Aluminum Jewelry. Come see our wonderful assortment of tapir jewelry.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush California Condor

A conservation success story!

Our Stuffed California Condor

Our stuffed California condor has a removable "Press Here" tag so you can hear the recorded voice of a real California condor. The California condor replica was designed as part of the popular Audubon Birds Series by Wild Republic. It is 6 inches tall and a 14 1/2 inch wingspan with a soft body . As with all of Wild Republic's toys, this plush California condor meets the most stringent current standards of safety for children's toys. All parts are non-toxic and surface washable. Check out our other raptor toys and gifts.

About California Condors

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) belongs to the vulture family. It is only found along the coastal mountains of North America, Baja California and the Grand Canyon. The California condor is black in color with white on the underside of its wings with its skin color often a bright red. It scavenges for dead animals and therefore is susceptible to eating toxic substances. It has an amazing wingspan of up to 9 feet. It flies gracefully and up to speeds of 50 miles an hour. This condor has played an active role in Native American lore and has been reproduced frequently in Native American art. The condor almost faced extinction and through one of the most active conservation and breeding programs in America, its numbers have improved. As of 2005, there were only 273 individuals including 127 in the wild remaining. Thanks to the efforts of the Los Angeles and San Diego Zoos, this amazing bird may remain one of the most significant natural beings of our hemisphere.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Otter with Starfish

How about a mid-swim snack?

Our Plastic 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.

About Otters

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 Velociraptor

Meet the world's first 70-million-year-old movie star!

Our Plastic Velociraptor

Remember the scary (and fast!) velociraptors in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park"? Bring a slice of the movie home to your own house, school, or dinosaur collection. Made of hard plastic, this fierce-looking velociraptor will add color and flash to your diorama, school project, or collection. This dinosaur is part of Safari, Ltd's famous museum-quality "Carnegie Collection" of prehistoric life. Its details are great for teaching youngsters about extinct animals or just for your own enjoyment. Priced affordably, the velociraptor can also be used as a toy, novelty, party or theme decor, etc. It measures 7 1/4 inches from teeth to tail.

About Velociraptors

The velociraptor, or "swift seizer," lived in the Cretaceous period in what is now Mongolia. It was a bipedal carnivore approximately seven feet long and weighing up to 33 pounds. Recent fossil evidence shows that the velociraptor was feathered. The raised toe and claw are typical of the real-life dinosaur. Paleontologists believe the toe-claw was used to slay the velociraptor's prey. Read more about the velociraptor and its interesting claws here!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Australian Crocodile

Just when you thought it was safe to go swimming!

Our Plastic Crocodile

Our crocodile toy animal is made of solid plastic and measures 3 3/4 inches from nose to tail. "Crocodile" is molded into the underside. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic reptile 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. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come look through our entire collection of crocodile toys and gifts.

About Australian Crocodiles

There are two kinds of Australian crocodiles, the Freshwater Johnsons Crocodile and Saltwater Estuarine Crocodile. Crocodiles have long narrow snouts, and the 4th tooth of the lower jaw is outside when the mouth is closed. Their scales have modified to form thick tough skin. All crocodiles have eyes and nostrils are on the top part of the head so that they can lie in the water almost completely hidden from view. Crocodiles have very strong jaws. They do not chew their food. They swallow it in large chunks. In the stomach the food is broken down. They feed on a large variety of prey such as small mammals, birds and even cattle. Crocodiles grab their prey and move to deep water, where they roll over to drown the animal. They can leap high out of the water to reach their prey if necessary.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Genet Cat

NOT your average house cat!

Our Genet Cat

Our realistic-looking small-spotted genet cat is made of hollow plastic and measures 4 3/4 inches from head to tail and is 2 7/8 inches to the ear tips. The body is moulded with a fur-like pattern and details that almost make it seem real. The scientific name is moulded into the underside. This sturdy, light-weight plastic genet is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic small-spotted genet is for decoration or play only. You can make a creative African forest or grassland 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 genet toys.

About Genet Cats

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.

This species of genet cat is found throughout most of Southern Africa. For an excellent resource on these small mammals, take a look at Kruger National Park's small-spotted genet page.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Brahman (Brahma) Bull Replica

A dream for the FFA Student, Model Enthusiast, and Diorama Builder!

Our Plastic Brahman Bull

Our plastic Brahman bull or Brahma bull, is a realistic-looking plastic animal replica. Made by Safari, Ltd., it has all of the details and quality you have come to expect in an excellent animal toy or replica. See also our other toy and replica bulls, cows, and other cattle as well as all of our other hoofed animal models, toys, and gifts.

About Brahman Bulls

The Brahman bull or brahma bull is a type of zebu cattle exported from India. They are extremely hardy animals. They can withstand more heat and more intensely arid conditions than European cattle can tolerate. Brahman cattle are also resistant to parasites and disease, and are considered to be intelligent and docile.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Hermit Crab

A detailed, adorable toy or project centerpiece!

Our Plastic Hermit Crab

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic hermit crab replica is 4 3/4 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches high. It is made of solid flexible plastic. Its legs are flexible, but not posable. The shell is made of the same hard plastic and is flexible at the front. Our hermit crab has a kindly expression and promises not to pinch. This hermit crab makes a nice pet, a gift or works well in a diorama. Check out our other crab toys and gifts.

About Hermit Crabs

There are approximately 500 different species of hermit crabs living in saltwater intertidal zones. It isn't a true crab, but has a soft belly which it protects by crawling into an abandoned mollusk shell. This behavior of living in an abandoned cave evokes the image of a hermit, thereby getting its name. As the hermit crab grows, it must find an ever larger shell to inhabit. The hermit crab is fussy about which shell it takes. It likes those that have anemones or sea plants growing on it and even decorates his shell with these living things. This provides a symbiotic relationship, food for them and they provide better security from predators through camouflage.There are land varieties of hermit crabs and, surprisingly enough, there is an organization of hermit crab pet lovers, who keep them at home in aquariums.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Mosquito

Who'd swat this lovable little guy?

Our Plush Mosquito

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.

About Mosquitoes

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.

Stuffed Sturgeon

You don't even have to bait a hook to catch this guy!

Our Plush Sturgeon

Our adorable, realistic stuffed sturgeon plush toy is 17 inches long from nose to tail. It has a lovely gray brown head and back, yellow ochre sides, light gray fins and a soft white belly and barbels. It is filled with bean composite and sewn of soft fabric. Our sturgeon has a kind and gentle expression. It makes for a thoughtful child's toy or fits nicely in a fish or stuffed animal collection. See our other cool stuffed fish toys and gifts.

About Sturgeon

Sturgeon belong to the genus of fish Acipenser. It is found in both saltwater and freshwater throughout the Northern Hemisphere. A sturgeon loves to swim near the bottom looking for small fish and crustaceans to eat. It is one the oldest fish in the world and looks ancient with scutes along its side, a shovel-nose face, and toothless mouth. The sturgeon is coveted as a smoked delicacy, although when properly prepared, can be a tasty steak as well. Also its roe is packaged and sold as treasured caviar. Sturgeon can be as much as 12 feet long, but 4 feet is probably an average size. Sturgeon is a prized catch among fishermen with strictly regulated seasons at least here in America. It is a concern that over-fishing, and increased pressure from hungry sea lions, are taking a toll on this most unusual and remarkable fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Ash-gray "T is for Tapir" Long-Sleeved Sweatshirt

Show your support while staying toasty warm this Autumn!
 

Our Sweatshirts

This is the second shirt design drawn by artist Audrey Jakab especially for Tapir and Friends Animal Store. We love the tapir's beautifully-formed shape! This time Audrey drew a lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in the same "faux woodcut" style as her first one — the Baird's tapir shirt. As with the Baird's shirt, this design is also printed front and center, and is about the same size — 8 x 8 inches.

The shirts are printed in black on ash-gray. You'll get a very good idea of what it looks like from the picture. The small print underneath "T is for Tapir" says "© 2000. A. Jakab" on the left and "Tapir Preservation Fund" on the right. Come look through our terrific selection of shirts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Horse Replica

A superb replica of a magnificent animal!

Our Plastic Horse

I don't know if you'd call our plastic horse figurine a chestnut, a buckskin, or what. If you have the answer, please let us know! However, since our model horse is made of plastic, it's probably OK for it to be a beautiful eye-catching warm pumpkin color. The black legs and tail add a striking finish to this nice plastic toy. Our plastic horse is 3 1/4 inches long when measured from its nose to the end of its tail. It stands up nicely to a height of 2 1/4 inches to the tips of its black ears, and about 2 1/2 inches from the ground to its back. Our plastic horse has met all of the new U.S. child safety standards for children's toys in both the plastic and paint categories. Check out our other horse toys and gifts.

About Horses

The horse (Equus caballus) is a hoofed mammal, and all hoofed mammals are called ungulates. The horse is an odd-toed ungulate in the family Equidae, and has one toe on each foot. In the case of the horse, the one toe has become very large so that we hardly think of it as a toe. The odd-toed animals, Order Perissodactyla, include only 17 species, which is fewer than the other order, even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla). In the Order Perissodactyla we find horses, zebras, donkeys, and other animals that resemble horses, but the order also includes tapirs and rhinos. All other hoofed animals such as deer, cows, and hippos, have either two or four toes on each foot. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today. Horses are one of the animals for which we have the most complete fossil record, which makes it interesting to study their evolution. Humans began to domesticate horses around 4,000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3,000 BC. Just think of all the ancient art and statuary that depict the relationship between horses and humans! By 2,000 BC, the use of domesticated horses had spread throughout the Eurasian continent. Although most horses today are domesticated, there are still endangered populations of the Przewalski's Horse, the only remaining true wild horse, as well as more common feral horses which live in the wild but are descended from domesticated ancestors. Horse breeding is a very specialized area of expertise, and many breeds have been developed, each with their own characteristics of color, conformation, abilities, shapes and sizes.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Saber-toothed Cat

Meow indeed!

Our Plastic Saber-Toothed Cat

A superb miniature replica of the famous Saber-Toothed Cat! The lines of hair are moulded into the plastic, and details include painted stripes and moulded and painted tongue, claws and foot pads! The length of 4 1/2 inches is measured from nose to tail and the height of 2 1/2 inches is measured to the top of the head. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic animals, its 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. This sturdy, durable saber toothed cat is also excellent for use in school projects, dioramas, or even as a child's toy. The word "SABER TOOTHED CAT" is embossed on the underside.

About Saber-Toothed Cats

The smilodon, or sabertooth cat (sometimes also called saber-tooth tiger), roamed parts of North and South America around the time of the last Ice Age. The most familiar is the Smilodon fatalis, of which many remains have been found in the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits. It became extinct about 11,000 years ago.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Mud Crab

An interesting addition to your school project or collection!

 

Our Mud Crab

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic mud crab has a solid body, but flexible legs. It is 2 1/2 inches across with good detail. This crab makes a nice pet, a gift or is useful for a diorama. Check out our other crab toys and gifts.

About Mud Crabs

The most common mud crab (Scylla serrata) is generally a mangrove crab but can also refer to several similar crabs found in mud throughout the world. Some mud crabs are large crabs with a smooth, broad carapace. They have 9 even sized teeth on each side of their eyes. Their two hind legs are flattened for swimming. In the most common form, the color varies from very dark brown/black to mottled green. Mud crabs inhabit sheltered estuaries, the tidal reaches of some rivers, mud flats and mangrove forests. These crabs are found scuttling along a soft, muddy bottom, often below low tide level. Some are harvested commercially especially in Australia but, for the most part, they make excellent bait for larger agressive fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Tasmanian Devil

Ferocious? Bad-tempered? Nasty? NAWWW!

Our Tasmanian Devil

Our Tasmanian devil toy stuffed animal has the features of a real Tasmanian devil, but without the bite! White patches are realistically placed on the chest and body as in the photo of a real Taz shown on the hang-tag in our picture. Also check out our other Tasmanian devil toys and gifts.

About Tasmanian Devils

Although ours is rather sweet looking, real Tasmanian devils are the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. The body size varies greatly depending on the diet and habitat. Adult males may stand up to 30 centimeters (almost 9 inches) at the shoulder and are usually larger than the females. Tasmanian devils are widespread throughout their habitat and live from the seacoast to the mountains. They live in coastal heath, open dry forest, and mixed rainforest. They seek homes where they can hide and take shelter by day and find food at night. Mainly scavengers, they feed on whatever is available. Their powerful jaws and teeth allow them to completely eat their food, grinding up bones, fur, and all. The Tasmanian devil makes a variety of noises, from rough coughs and snarls to high-pitched screeches. A sharp sneeze is used as a challenge to other devils.

I was once fortunate enough to visit behind the scenes at the medical center of the San Diego Zoo. In the nursery they had a Tasmanian devil in an incubator, only a few days old. The tiny animal had pink skin and only a few very long black hairs. It was like nothing I'd ever seen. I guess you could say it was ugly, but then what baby animal isn't cute in its own weird way? I like them better with hair, but it was such a treat to get this unusual view of a baby Taz!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Chinchilla

How cute is THAT?

Our Plush Chinchilla

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed chinchilla is soft and cuddly. The chinchilla replica is sewn with soft plush mottled synthetic fur and is sturdy enough to stand on its feet and rump. It reflects the total quality of stuffed animal toys made by Hansa. The head is accentuated with large realistic looking eyes, a light muzzle with fine whiskers and large fur-lined pink ears. This plush chinchilla is about 11 inches long, including its beautifuly curled, gray tail. Our stuffed chinchilla has a kindly expression and promises not to bite. This chinchilla makes a wonderful gift for chinchilla pet lovers and nicely complements any stuffed animal collection. Check out our other chinchilla toys and gifts.

About Chinchillas

Our chinchilla is the common long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). It is the size of a small rabbit, crepuscular, and is found in the Andes of South America. Its name, chinchilla, comes from the name of a tribe of Andean people, the Chincha, who adorned themselves with furs from this rodent. In their native habitat, chinchillas live in burrows or crevices in rocks. They are agile jumpers and can leap up to five feet. Predators in the wild include hawks, skunks, felines, and canines. Chinchillas have a variety of defense tactics including spraying urine and releasing fur if bitten. In the wild, chinchillas have been observed eating plants, fruits, seeds, and small insects. Chinchillas were brought to the United States in the 1920s and were domesticated and sold in pet stores. There are several chinchilla owner pet clubs and lots of information on how to care for a domesticated pet chinchilla. The native Chilean chinchillas have been hunted for human apparel since the early 1900s. Around 1900, an estimated 500,000 chinchilla skins were exported annually from Chile. Chinchilla pelt is considered by some to be the most valuable pelt in the world, and coats have sold as much as $100,000. This scale of hunting seriously depleted the number of wild chinchillas, and the international trade in wild chinchillas or their skins is now restricted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Fabric Monarch Butterfly Finger Puppet

A delightful toy, party favor, or theatre prop!

Our Monarch Butterfly Finger Puppet

This engaging, educational and fun fabric monarch butterfly finger puppet is soft and cuddly and constructed with the quality of Folkmanis. The wings are made of orange and black soft plush transparent fabric and shows well-defined segments. The body is black and streches to allow the puppet to be worn on a finger. Our monarch butterfly replica promises not to fly away. This fabric monarch butterfly finger puppet makes a nice pet, gift, novelty, presentation piece for a school project,or gag gift. See our other butterfly toys and gifts.

About Monarch Butterflies

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known North American butterfly. It is a beautiful insect and has been drawn, photographed and appreciated by countless people. It is noted for its ability to make migration journeys of up to 3,000 miles where it loves to congregate on milkweed. It tolerates cold weather poorly so unsesaonable weather can have a devasting effect on the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies have few predators. They have an acrid taste which birds learn to avoid. Monarch butterflies can now be found in Hawaii and New Zealand.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Blue Shark

If the great white is a humvee, this shark is a corvette!

Our Plastic Blue Shark

Our plastic blue shark is a realistic-looking plastic animal replica. It is 3 inches long and is suitable for a science project, a toy, 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 Blue Sharks

Inhabiting the deep, warm waters of Earth’s temperate and tropical oceans, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) feeds primarily on small fish and squid, and rarely attacks humans. Blue sharks can reach a length of 12.5 feet and can weigh as much as 205 pounds.

The blue shark is found worldwide and off the coasts of every continent except Antarctica, making it the most widely distributed animal in the world. Blue sharks often school, or collect and travel in groups, and have earned the name “wolves of the sea” by mariners watching packs of blue sharks tracking their ships.

While young blue sharks are often preyed upon by larger sharks, such as the great white and tiger, healthy adult blue sharks have only one consistent predator…humans. Blue sharks are the most heavily fished species of shark, with 10 to 20 million killed each year, primarily for their fins (for shark-fin soup), skin (for leather), and livers (for oil).

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Hermit Crab

Can you carry YOUR house on your back?

Our Stuffed Hermit Crab

This playful stuffed hermit crab is made of extremely soft plush material. This replica has a detailed face and body with a loving expression. It is 12 inches long. It makes for a nice pet, fits into a stuffed animal collection or serves as a great cuddly friend and is fun for all kinds of games. Check out our other crab toys and gifts.

About Hermit Crabs

There are approximately 500 different species of hermit crabs living in saltwater intertidal zones. It isn't a true crab, but has a soft belly which it protects by crawling into an abandoned mollusk shell. This behavior of living in an abandoned cave evokes the image of a hermit, thereby getting its name. As the hermit crab grows, it must find an ever larger shell to inhabit. The hermit crab is fussy about which shell it takes. It likes those that have anemones or sea plants growing on it and even decorates his shell with these living things. This provides a symbiotic relationship, food for them and they provide better security from predators through camouflage.There are land varieties of hermit crabs and, surprisingly enough, there is an organization of hermit crab pet lovers, who keep them at home in aquariums.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Malayan Tapir Replica

The Cyrano de Bergerac of mammals!
 

Our Plastic Asian (Malayan) Tapir

Our plastic museum-quality version of the Asian or Malayan tapir has the markings of a real tapir. The "saddle" which extends from its shoulder to its rump, the white rimmed ears, and the remaining black hair covering the legs, chest, and head mimic the pattern designed for camouflage. The plastic Asian tapir measures 4 1/4 inches in length, and 2 1/2 inches high. The realistic "floppy" snout, four-toed front and three-toed back feet (with a little hoof at the end of each toe) help make this the most realistic toy tapir we've ever seen. Other features include the white rims around each small hoof and the strongly chiseled indentation of the face muscles. Even the nostrils appear to flatten as they do in a real tapir. It even has short markings in the plastic indicating its fur coat. This delightful model will complete your diorama or please any tapir collector or collector of animal figurines. You may already be familiar with the quality produced by Safari, Ltd. This sturdy piece will also withstand handling and playtime. See our entire collection of tapirs.

About Asian (Malayan) Tapirs

Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) grow to between 6 and 8 feet in length, stand 3 to 3.5 feet tall, and typically weigh between 550 and 700 pounds. Like the other types of tapir, they have small stubby tails and long, flexible proboscises. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot. The Malayan Tapir has rather poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell. The easily identifiable markings (the saddle, white rimmed ears, black legs, chest, and head) make it more difficult to recognize it as a tapir, and other animals may mistake it for a large rock rather than a form of prey when it is lying down to sleep. Malayan Tapirs communicate with high-pitched squeaks and whistles. They usually prefer to live near water and often bathe and swim, and they are also able to climb steep slopes. Malayan Tapirs can live up to 30 years, both in the wild and in captivity. Malayan tapirs live in Southest Asia, where they have become extinct in some of their range; small populations still survive in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sumatra (Indonesia). In the past, scientists believed that tapirs live solitary lives, but in recent years, it has become clear that they can be found in small family groups. They do not live in herds, and are hard to located in the forest. Under ideal conditions, a tapir gives birth about every 18 months to two years, bearing only one calf at a time. The slow "recruitment rate" is one of the several reasons they are on their way to extinction. Read more about Malayan tapirs here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Emperor Penguin with Chick

A fantastic addition to any Antarctic diorama!

Our Emperor Penguin and Chick

This engaging, realistic-looking 4.5-inch plastic emperor penguin with chick is made of hard hollow plastic. It is highly detailed, showing a variety of body feathers, and is painted in black, white, orange, and red. The chick is gray with a white and black head and is nestled securely within mom's body feathers. This emperor penguin replica makes for a fine representation in a diorama, or for any school project, or fits nicely into any polar animal collection.brown. Check out our other penguin toys and gifts.

About Emperor Penguins

The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is found exclusively in Antarctica. The Emperor, like other penguins, can not fly but has strong wings (flippers) and a streamlined body designed for excellent swimming. They eat fish and crustaceans and are able to stay underwater for at least 15 minutes. Emperors are well known for their elaborate mating and breeding habits. They are devoted parents and guard eggs and fledglings dutifully. They recognize their young among the many in their colony through distinctive vocalization. The emperor penguin has a number of predators, foremost being the leopard seal. Also giant skua and petrals scavenge for eggs and the young and vulnerable chicks.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.