Stuffed Toy Woolly Mammoth Mother

A remarkable creature from Earth's past!

Our Plush Woolly Mammoth

We think this stuffed woolly mammoth toy is exceptional. It is so lifelike and compelling. Although it is made of synthetic materials, it looks real. This beautifully detailed woolly mammoth measures 16 long, 6 1/2 inches wide and 12 inches high to the top of the head. The animal's tusks are made of soft short-napped fabric. The designer of this unique line of stuffed animals takes pride in the European heritage of his realistic animal design. Each piece is hand-cut and stitched.

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

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

To find our other Hansa stuffed toy animals, or see our entire inventory of stuffed animals, stuffed beanies and plush hand puppets, check out our Stuffed Animal Page. Be sure to see our other mammoth- and elephant-related toys and gifts.

About Woolly Mammoths

The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is perhaps the best-known species of mammoth. The earliest bone records of this species are around 150,000 years old, and it went extinct over most of its range approximately 10,000 years ago. A race a dwarf woolly mammoths existed on Wrangel Island off the coast of Russia until roughly 3700 years ago. Amazingly, many specimens of woolly mammoth remains are not fossilized, but are frozen organic matter.

Fully-grown woolly mammoths could be as tall as 13 feet and weighed nearly 9 tons. It’s named for the thick coat of shaggy hair which could grow to over three feet in length and was probably shed in the summer months. Unlike modern elephants, the woolly mammoth had numerous glands under its skin that secreted fatty grease into the mammoth’s hair. These characteristics, along with a typical fat layer nearly three inches thick, gave the woolly mammoth excellent insulation against both wet and cold weather conditions.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tropical Fish Eyeglass Holder (Peeper Keepers)

Know exactly where your eyeglasses are!

Our Tropical Fish Peeper Keeper

Made of carved and painted wood, the tropical fish is 6 inches tall, 7 inches long.

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

"Peeper Keepers" are fun and practical, and come in over 40 different animal types. See our other Peeper Keeper animals here. If we don't have an animal you're looking for on our web site, please ask! Be sure to look over our other fish peeper keepers.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Nanny Goat

New to TPF...just in time for Christmas!

Our Plastic Nanny Goat or Doe

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic nanny goat miniature is made of flexible plastic with bendable appendages and is 2 3/4 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches tall. This replica has elaborate detail and is hand painted white, tan and pink. Our nanny goat has distinct dark eyes and pinkish hooves. It has hints of tan and yellow in the face, horns and tail. The udder on this milk goat or mother goat is visible, but can't be seen from the angle of the photo. The goat is an educational replica that fits nicely into a farm diorama, or serves as a miniature pet or a great farm animal collectible. Check out our other hoofed animal toys and gifts. Among them are quite a few other farm animals.

About Nanny Goats (Does)

The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), is the earliest animal to be domesticated by humans. A goat is very useful to humans both alive or dead. Alive, goats can be used as a renewable provider of milk and fiber. Dead they can be used for meat and hide. Intestines of a goat can be used for making strings for musical intruments. Young goats are referred to as kids. Meat from a young goat is either called kid or cabrito. Goats are known for being willing to eat almost anything. While they may not actually consume everything, they are very curious and will taste anything resembling plant matter in order to decide whether or not it is good to eat. After a gestation period of 150 days, a doe or nanny goat most often gives birth to twins, although single young as well as triplets are not uncommon. A good dairy goat will produce at least sic pounds of milk per day.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Beaded Frogs from Guatemala

Own one of these amazing works of art!

Our Beaded Frogs

It was another one of those very lucky days when Catherine Todd (same last name, no relation) contacted me about taking some of our plastic animals to Guatemala so the artisans could craft beaded animals with the plastic replicas as a realistically-shaped base. The subject at hand was camels for a special project, but it seems the artisans make a wide variety of unique animals covered with a woven beaded "skin." Imagine my delight when a package arrived including these delightful frogs! When you purchase one of these unique animals from our collection, you help in a number of ways. You help save tapirs, because that's what we do. You help the local artisans in Guatemala who need an outlet for their work (yes, jobs!), and you help my new friend Catherine with her sustainable business of working with the artisans of Guatemala to maintain jobs for themselves and make beautiful art for many people around the world to enjoy. The beading on these frogs is securely stitched into a woven fabric of beads that completely covers the frog and is very sturdy. Unlike some beaded animals I've seen that are beautiful and engaging but very delicate, these frogs are durable and with normal handling will hold up extremely well. Check out our other frog items as well as our page of beaded animals from Guatemala.

About Frogs

Frogs are among the most diverse animals on the planet. They come in an astounding range of colors, sizes and shapes, and more than 5,000 species have been described worldwide. They are amphibians in the order Anura (meaning "tail-less", from Greek an-, without + oura, tail). Frogs are among the most commonly-known animals to most people, and yet we probably think of them in generic terms. Once you begin to read about frogs, you realize how different each species is from the next. Typically, they are exceptional jumpers, and many of the anatomical characteristics of frogs, particularly their long, powerful legs, are adaptations to improve jumping performance. Many frogs have an extremely loud call which is most often used during their mating season. Although the greatest number of frogs are found in the tropical rainforests of the world, they can be found in a wide range of climactic zones. Frogs may live in trees or on the ground, but they always live near water. Their skin becomes dry easily and this will inevitably lead to death. Some populations of frogs are declining significantly, and there are important organizations dedicated to their study and conservation. Frogs have long been a favorite subject in art, literature and legend, and many people collect images and replicas of frogs.

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed California Condor, Audubon Birds Series

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

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 Skate or Stingray

One of the many wonders of the deep blue sea!

Our Plastic Skate or Stingray

Our plastic stingray measure 6 inches from the tip of its nose to the tip of it's tail and is about 3 1/2 inches wide. It is gray plastic with dark gray hints on top and a yellow underside showing the mouth and gills. On the top side, you can see its two eyes painted with white and black. This stingray or skate would be a wonderful addition to a school project, aquatic diorama, or just to have as a toy or collectable. Check out our other skate and stringray toys and gifts.

About Skates and Stingrays

The stingray is part of the Dasyatidae family. They are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the world. Stingrays get their name from the barbed stinger on their tail which is used for self-defense. Their stinger can reach a length of 35 cm and has two grooves with venom glands on the underside. The flat body of the stingray allows them to camoflauge themselves in their environment by hiding beneath the sand. Stingrays use their sense of smell to locate their prey. They feed on molluscs, crustaceans and small fish. Stingrays are born into litters of five to thirteen. Parts of the stingray are edible. Mainly the wings and cheeks of the stingray are used as food the rest of it is considered too rubbery. The skin of stingrays can be used to make exotic shoes, belts, wallets and anything else leather is typically used for.

People often ask how to tell the difference between a skate and a ray. Rays give birth to live young, while skates lay eggs. However, it is not usually possible to use this method when you are seeing one for a short period of time! Skates often have a more pronounced dorsal fin, but in truth, it is much easier to confuse them than to tell them apart, except for such unique-looking species ast the spotted eagle ray, the manta ray, and others you may become familiar with. Personally, I think this one is a skate, as skates often have a more pointed shape . . . but that's no guarantee! The manufacturer calls this one a "skatefish."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Wombat

Another wonder from down under!

Our Plush Wombat

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed wombat is soft and sturdy. He has an adorable face with light whiskers and large detailed plastic eyes. His body is mottled light brown and black. Our stuffed wombat has a kindly expression and promises to be your friend. Check out our other wombat toys and gifts.

About Wombats

Wombats are an Australian animal about 40 inches long with a short, stout body and no tail. They are found in forested, mountains, and in the heath of Southeastern Australia and Tasmania. They like to dig and live in burrows and are generally crepuscular, but can be seen on cool, overcast days as well. They are a shy, slow, herbivore and are easy prey for dingos and tasmanian devils. Like other marsupials, wombats have a pouch to raise their young which they carry for about six months.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Black-capped Chickadee, Audubon Birds Series

Flyin' south is for the birds!

Our Stuffed Stuffed Black-capped Chickadee

This engaging, realistic-looking, plush, stuffed black-capped chickadee replica is part of the Audubon Bird Series. This lovely cardinal replica is 6 3/4 inches long from beak to to tail and sings an authentic black-capped chickadee bird call. Check out our other bird toys and gifts.

About Black-capped Chickadees

The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a common songbird and a frequent visitor to bird feeders. It has a black cap and a white bib with rusty brown on its sides and a gray back. The black-capped chickadee can be found often in the Northern portion of the United States, Southern Canada, and in mixed decidious and coniferous forests. These chickadees can tolerate cold and don't necessarily migrate and often forage together with nuthatches and warblers. Chickadees have an odd sounding call of two whistles of the same identical rhythym about a third above the second and repeated to produce the chick a dee-dee-dee-dee from which the bird earns its name.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Lehmann's Poison Frog

Who knew such a cute little frog could be so lethal?

Our Plastic Lehmann's Dart Frog

Our plastic Lehmann's poison frog is 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 2 1/8 inches long and is somewhat flexible. The plastic is solid, but not hard. Its underside is orange, and the name "Lehmann's Poison Frog" is moulded into the plastic. Be sure to see our other cool frog toys and gifts.

About Lehmann's Dart Frogs

In Spanish, the Lehmann's Dart Frog (Dendrobates lehmanni) is called "Rana venenosa de Lehmann." It is only known definitely from two small locations in Colombia which comprise an area of only 10 km2. Its distribution is severely fragmented and the habitat is becoming more and more degraded. The frog is still common in its tiny range, but is threatened by agricultural development, illegal crops, logging, pollution, settlement, and capture for the pet trade. Locally, indigenous people use the poison to coat darts for killling monkeys.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Beaded Baby Tapir from Guatemala

Now introducing, the spokesmodel for TPF's newline of beaded artwork!

Our Beaded Baby Tapir

It was another one of those very lucky days when Catherine Todd (same last name, no relation) contacted me about taking some of our plastic animals to Guatemala so the artisans could craft beaded animals with the plastic replicas as a realistically-shaped base. The subject at hand was camels, but we thought it would be fun to make some beaded tapirs as well. Imagine my delight when these cute animals came back in the mail, their plastic bodies covered in shiny seed beads stitched together into a brand new creation. You don't find beaded tapirs just anywhere, trust me! I've looked! When you purchase one of these unique animals from our collection, you help in a number of ways. You help save tapirs, because that's what we do. You help the local artisans in Guatemala who need an outlet for their work (yes, jobs!), and you help my new friend Catherine with her sustainable business of working with the artisans of Guatemala to maintain jobs for themselves and make beautiful art for many people around the world to enjoy. Check out our other tapir items as well as our page of beaded animal art!

About Baby Tapirs

Baby tapirs are some of the most adorable and engaging animals on Earth! There are four species of tapir, and the babies of all species are marked with their distinguishing spots and stripes. The stripes on our beaded baby tapir do not match those of any particular species, so you can imagine it's whichever species you like best. Baby tapirs are quite friendly and lovable. They can stand and walk almost immediately, and they quickly begin to explore their world with amusing curiosity. It takes a gestation period of about 13 months for a pair to produce one baby. Can you believe that? It's one of the longest gestation periods among mammals. Even horses give birth after about 11 months. Because only one baby is born per pregnancy, and because the gestation period is so long, the tapirs are said to have a long "recruitment period." This means that for every tapir that is killed in the wild (or that dies of natural causes), it takes a very long time to replace that animal. This is one reason why hunting and destruction of habitat are so devastating to the Earth's dwindling population of tapirs. You can purchase this beaded tapir, take it home, and be proud not only to have a beautiful, unique, hand-made work of art, but also to know that your purchase keeps the Tapir Preservation Fund going so we can support tapir conservation in the field.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Harbor Seal

A wonderful addition to your stuffed animal collection!

Our Stuffed Harbor Seal

This beautiful stuffed harbor seal is soft, cuddly, and big enough to really hug! Well-constructed by Wild Republic, this plush seal features realistically-detailed tail and flippers. Its claws are constructed of stiff foam and are not sharp or harmful. He has such a sweet expression on his face! Truely a remarkable addition to any stuffed animal or aquatic animal collection, or just a great gift for the animal lover in your life! Check out our other seal toys and gifts.

About Harbor Seals

Harbor seals are aquatic mammals located in the temperate and arctic oceans of the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as the common seal, these creatures are the most widely distributed animals of their kind (walruses and other seals). Adult harbor seals can reach a length of over 6 feet, and can weigh as much as 370 pounds. Females give birth to a single pup per successful mating, which they care for alone. Harbor seal pups are able to swim within hours of birth. Harbor seals feed primarily on fish and occasionally on crustaceans, squid, and even seabirds.

There are an estimated 5-6 million harbor seals worldwide, which means that, as a species, they are stable and not threatened. In some cases, it is legal to kill harbor seals to protect commercial fisheries. Even so, harbor seals are protected from commercial hunting by many nations in their range, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway. Their population off the East Coast of the United States has grown significantly in recent years, and they've been sighted in New York Harbor, Boston Harbor , and as far south as Florida.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Pteranodon Hand Puppet

The perfect gift for the young paleontologist!

Our Stuffed Pteranodon Hand Puppet

This playful stuffed pteranodon hand puppet is made of extremely soft plush material. This replica has a detailed face and body with an imaginative-looking expression. The head is small, about the size of a child's hand. It is a tight fit to get your hand in to manipulate the head and beak, but doable. The hand puppet is 14 1/2 inches from beak to horn.. This plush pteranodon hand puppet 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 dinosaur toys and gifts.

About Pteranodons

The pteranodon is not really a dinosaur but a winged reptile. "Pteranodon" means "winged and toothless." These flying reptiles were closely related to dinosaurs, but were technically not included in the same group. They lived during the late Cretaceous Period - one of the great ages of dinosaurs. Pteranodon stood about 6 feet tall (and some scientists believe they did stand upright), and had a wingspan of 25 to 33 feet - longer than any known bird. They had short tails, as you can see on our plastic pteranodon replica. Most pteranodon fossils have been found in Kansas and in England. Pteranodons fed primarily on fish, and may have scooped them out of the water the way a modern-day pelican feeds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Pink Flamingo, Audubon Bird Series

Not just for the front lawn anymore!

Our Stuffed Pink Flamingo

Our stuffed pink flamingo is a lovely representation of one of the most beautiful birds. This plush flamingo replica was designed as part of the popular Audubon Birds Series by Wild Republic. Not surprisingly, it's in the "Weaters' Edge" series. Our stuffed flamingo has bright eyes and a distinct long beak. As with all of Wild Republic's toys, this flamingo meets the most stringent current standards of safety for children's toys. All parts are non-toxic and surface washable. Check out our other flamingo toys and gifts.

About Pink Flamingos

The hang tag on our pink flamingo replica says: "Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber). Creating some of nature's most visually spectacular colonies, Greater Flamingos nest in groups with thousands of birds! Their fluorescent pink color comes from eating algae, crustaceans (such as crabs and shrimp) and mollusks (such as snails and slugs). Male and female flamingoes build their nests together using mud. While common in Florida, they can also be found in Southern Europe, India, Africa and the Caribbean.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Sitting Polar Bear

Now THIS guy is ACHING for a hug!

Our Stuffed Polar Bear

This adorable stuffed polar bear by Wild Republic is soft, cuddly, and ready to be your friend! He's 15 inches from nose to rump, and well-made out of soft white plush material. A multi-language booklet is included with this wonderful toy, with care and cleaning instructions, as well as information about polar bears. Truely a lovable addition to any stuffed animal collection, and the perfect gift for the young animal lover in your life! Check out our other polar bear and 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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Sailfish

The latest in our new line of Cabin Critters plush fish replicas!

Our Stuffed Sailfish

This soft and colorful plush sailfish toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This sailfish is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush sailfish would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other sailfish and fish toys and gifts.

About Sailfish

There are two species of sailfish, the Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) and the Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus). Two features of the sailfish are its distinctive sail, an erectile dorsal fin that usually extends the entire length of the sailfish's body, and an enlongated bill, similar to those found on a swordfish or marlin. Sailfish grow to as much as four feet long in a single year, and have the highest speed reported in a fish, having been reliably clocked at speeds of up to 68 mph. Sailfish feed primarily on squid and small fish.

Sailfish can change their colors through their nervous system, an action that can confuse prey and communicate with other sailfish. The range of colors sailfish can adopt are amazing, ranging from browns and grays to vibrant blues, purples, and silver. Sailfish are prized gamefish, best known for their spectacular jumps.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Seagull, Audubon Birds Series

These are a common sight here at TPF!

Our Stuffed Seagull

Our stuffed seagull has a removable "Press Here" tag so you can hear the recorded call of a real seagull. The gull was designed as part of the popular Audubon Birds Series by Wild Republic. Not surprisingly, it's in the "Weaters' Edge" series. Our stuffed seagull has bright eyes and a pretty red marking under its beak. As with all of Wild Republic's toys, this gull meets the most stringent current standards of safety for children's toys. All parts are non-toxic and surface washable. Check out our other seagull toys and gifts and the rest of our Wild Republic Audubon Birds Series replicas.

About Seagulls

The hang tag that comes with our stuffed seagull says: "CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) Grateful Utah residents chose this as their state bird because they saved the Mormons' crops from locusts in 1848. Without the large flocks of gulls to feed on the swarming insects, the settlers would have suffered starvation. California gulls also feed on rodents, eggs, fish and garbage. They usually nest near freshwater lakes or marshes." The seagull is a coastal bird that rarely ventures far out into the ocean. Closely related to terns, it is a carnivorous scavenger, which picks at almost anything organic. It loves small fish and crustaceans which it snatches from the surface. It swims on the top of the water, but does not swim underwater. It is an intelligent bird with a myriad of calls and, like most birds, outstanding eyesight. The adult gull is gray and white in color, whereas younger gulls are a mottled light brown.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Diamondback Rattlesnake

That sure ain't no baby rattle!

Our Plastic Diamondback Rattlesnake

This large flexible, realistic-looking diamondback rattlesnake replica is made of hollow plastic with distinctive rattles.Our rattlesnake is a flexible brown snake with black stripes. Our rattlesnake would make a splash in the bath, and is sure to be among your child's favorites. It is approximately 12 inches long (measured from the nose to the curve at the far side of the body; it would be much longer if you could stretch it out, but it will spring back to this same pose, so we don't measure it from nose to tail as if it were lying straight out). In addition, it has a forked tongue protruding from the front of it's head. This rattlesnake can be used as a gift, for a science project, for decorations, as a gag, party favor or as a collectible. Check out our other snake toys and gifts.

About Diamondback Rattlesnakes

The diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a common desert reptile found throughout the United States. Rattlesnakes are found in the southern parts of the United States, from the deserts to the mountains and grow between 3 and 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 m) long. There are 16 different types of rattlers such as the eastern diamondback, western diamondback, sidewinder and the speckled, just to name a few. All of them have rattles, are venomous and are pit vipers. Their rattles are located at the end of their tails and are used as a warning device when they are threatened, taking the place of a loud hiss as with other snakes. The rattle is composed of a series of nested, hollow beads which are actually modified scales from the tip of their tail. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new rattle segment is added. They tend to shed their skins several times a year depending on food supply and growth rates. Rattlesnakes feed on rodents, squirrels, rabbits and other small critters. They stun their prey with their venomous bite and swallow them whole! They hibernate through the winter and come out in the spring to eat and then mate. Rattlesnake eggs will stay inside their mother until they hatch. Most of the time there are 8-10 babies born at once and are about 10 inches long. Babies are born venomous but cannot rattle and are often more aggressive than the adults.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Atlantic Puffin, Audubon Birds Series

A beautiful replica of an amazing bird!

Our Stuffed Atlantic Puffin

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

About Atlantic Puffins

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) spend eight months of the year floating on the North Atlantic. During summer, they live in/occupy remote nesting islands on both sides of the Atlantic. In North America, they nest from Maine to Newfoundland. Puffins can dive to 200 feet, dig burrows eight feet deep, and live 30 years or more. Learn how to Adopt-a-Puffin and how Audubon brought puffins back to the Maine coast at http://www.projectpuffin.org/.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Walrus is Back!

He may look a little grumpy, but he's actually warm and cuddly!

Our Stuffed Walrus

Our stuffed walrus is especially soft, squishy, and cuddly. He has lots of wrinkles, just like a real walrus. It's one of the "Natural Poses" series 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 walrus are non-toxic and surface washable. He's not only cuddly, he's also colletible. Check out our other walrus toys and gifts. To find more animals in this line, or see a list of our entire inventory of stuffed animals, beanies and puppets, check out our Stuffed Animal Page.

About Walruses

The two subspecies of walrus, the Pacific, which is the largest, and the Atlantic live in the Northern Hemisphere in the arctic and subarctic regions. The tusks, which give the walrus its distinctive appearance, are found on both the male (bull) and female (cow). Cows weigh up to 2,800 pounds and reach up to 10 feet long. Bulls are much larger at up to 4,000 pounds and up to 12 feet long. Like sea lions, walruses are able to rotate their rear flippers under pelvis and pivot their front flippers to the side, giving them the abililty to walk and climb. These semi-aquatic mammals have a thick layer of fat beneath their tough leathery skin, which is covered by a thin layer of light brown hair. In warm weather, tiny blood vessels in the skin dilate, increasing circulation, which sheds excess body heat. This causes the skin to turn pink.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Ant

These guys can make a house scream 'UNCLE'!

Our Plastic Carpenter Ant

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic black ant is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches across from leg tip to leg tip.. Our black ant may represent a carpenter ant, but we are not sure enough. If you can identify it and are certain, please e-mail us. 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 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 Golden Lion Tamarin

We think he's the king of HIS jungle!

Our Golden Lion Tamarin

This engaging-looking plastic golden lion tamarin replica is made of solid plastic and stands on a branch. It is 1 1/2 inches tall from the ground to the top of the head. The color is somewhat imaginative, but has distinctive highlights. Our golden lion tamarin miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite. This golden lion tamarin replica makes an interesting pet,or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project. Check out our other monkey toys and gifts.

About Golden Lion Tamarins

The golden lion tamarin is a highly endangered New World monkey. It has a flat nose but its tail, although long, is not prehensile. It is found in the rain forests of Brazil and may only have 1000 individuals left in the wild. It is arboreal, diurnal and lives in small groups of about 14 individuals. It derives its name from its lion-like features. The golden lion tamarin is a reddish orange to golden brown in color. Its hair is longer and darker around the face, forming a mane on top of the head and on the cheeks and throat. Its limbs are slender yet capable with sharp claw-like nails (called tegulae), befitting its strictly arboreal life.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Beaver

He does with his TEETH what you do with a chainsaw!

Our Plush Beaver

This is a great beaver to add to your collection! Made of synthetic materials, it almost looks alive. The 16 1/2-inch length includes his soft quilted tail. The teeth are made of felt, and will not scratch. Above all hes soft, furry, cuddly, and will never bite!

About Beavers

Beavers are wonderful swimmers and also great at building dams. The dams they build are mostly used to get easy access to food in the winter time, and are also used for protection against predators. The dams may be as large as 1,000 ft long, 15 ft high, and 25 ft thick. Not to mention the beaver is also large, a male can weigh up to 55 lbs, and a female beaver can weigh even more! The beaver is so large, that they are the 2nd largest rodent in the world next to the capybara (see stuffed and plastic capybaras in our gift shop).

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Doberman

Brave and loyal...this dog is truely man's best friend!

Our Plastic Doberman

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic doberman miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This doberman replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/4 inches long, with black and brown fur. As loyal and vigilant as the real thing! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Dobermans

Also called the Doberman-Pinscher, the doberman is a medium-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. Dobermans range in weight from 60 – 100 pounds and have a typical lifespan of 10-13 years.

Originally bred as a personal-protection dog, the doberman is an intelligent, aggressive, alert dog that tends to be loyal to owners and distrustful of strangers. Dobermans were the victims of a media-fueled stereotype of disloyalty and ferocity in the 1960s and 1970s, similar to the pit bull today. Because of their intelligence, however, dobermans are easily trained and have become a loyal and playful addition to many households.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Blue Squid

You don't need to go 20,000 leagues under the sea for this guy!

Our Plastic Squid

Plastic Squid: This squid is made of soft plastic. It's slightly squeezable, and it also floats. It has flexible tentacles and an inquisitive eye on each side. Check out our other squid toys and gifts.

About Giant Squid

Remember Jules Verne's character, Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus, in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? One of his most dramatic encounters involved a giant squid (Architeuthis dux) such as this one. We don't know much about the habits of giant squids because scientists have not actually found where they live! We do know that they are eaten by sperm whales, as their beaks have been found in the whales' stomachs.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout

The perfect gift for any fisherman!

Our Stuffed Rainbow Trout

This soft and colorful plush rainbow trout toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This rainbow trout is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush trout would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other trout and fish toys and gifts.

About Rainbow Trout

Also known as steelhead, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to tributaries of the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America. Steelhead are sea run, meaning they live in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. A very popular game fish, rainbow trout have been introduced to waters in at least 45 countries on every continent but Antarctica. In some cases, particularly in Australia, South America, and Southern Europe, this has had a negative impact on native fish species, who are decimated by rainbow trout through predation, competition, disease, and inter-breeding.

Rainbow trout are not choosy about their diet, eating virtually anything they can grab. Young rainbow trout, called "smolts", feed mostly on insects, fish eggs, crayfish and other crustaceans, and smaller fish. As they mature, fish become more and more their standard diet. In some land-locked cases, rainbow trout have been known to become planktonic feeders, feeding on drifting algae and microorganisms.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Rough Collie

Part of our new line of domestic dog miniatures!

Our Plastic Rough Collie

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic rough collie miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This rough collie replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 inches long, with white and brown fur. As cute and lovable as the real thing! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Rough Collies

Our collie is a rough or long-haired collie, a medium-sized breed of domesticated dog originally bred in Scotland during the 1800’s for herding cattle. Rough collies range in weight from 35 – 75 pounds and typically have a lifespan of 12–14 years.

Rough collies are very loyal and calm breed well-suited to family life. The breed, like all herding breeds, tends to be vocal, and it can be very difficult to train a rough collie not to bark. Beyond barking, however, rough collies are not aggressive or protective, and can shy away from strangers rather than confront them. Rough collies are eager to learn, and relish their contact with family.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Channel Catfish

You can catch 'em with Kool-aid? Really?

Our Stuffed Channel Catfish

This soft and colorful plush channel catfish toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This channel catfish is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush catfish replica would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other freshwater fish and fish toys and gifts.

About Channel Catfish

The most numerous North American catfish species, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are also the most fished catfish species, being targeted by approximately 8 million anglers every year. A weight of 2-4 pounds is common, and weights of 10-20 pounds are not unheard of. The world record for weight in a channel catfish was set in 1964 at 58 pounds.

Channel catfish have outstanding senses of taste and smell. They have taste buds spread over their entire body, and can l literally taste with their skin, particularly around the whiskers or barbels located near their mouth. These keen senses allow the channel catfish to find its prey in murky, dark, cloudy water, where vision is useless. Channel catfish are omnivorous, and have been known to be caught on such unconventional baits as bubble gum, soap chunks, and dough flavored with drink powder.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Skunk

Huh? No...we don't smell anything!

Our Plush Skunk

Our 10-inch stuffed skunk is completely odor free and totally adorable. It has a wonderfully fluffy tail, soft felt claws that can't scratch, a soft felt nose, and shiny plastic eyes. To find more stuffed animals in the Fiesta line, or see a list of our entire inventory of stuffed animals, beanies and puppets, check out our Stuffed Animal Page.

About Striped Skunks

Contrary to what a popular french-accented cartoon skunk may have us believe, striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are found only in North America from the northern parts of Mexico up into Canada. Then again, it is possible that cartoon skunk is from the french speaking parts of Canada. Deserts, woodlands, grassy plains and suburbs within a 2 mile radius of a water source are the prefered habitat of these small cat-sized creatures. Their black coats with the white stripes running down either side of the back give them a very distinctive look. When threatened skunks prefer to run rather than fight. However, when cornered they turn their backs, click their teeth, stomp their feet and raise their long bushy tails. If this does not deter the attacker, as an absolutely last resort they will spray a noxious, oily, yellowish musk.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Holstein Cow Replica

She can produce 26,000 litres of milk in her lifetime!

Our Plastic Holstein Cow

Our plastic Holstein Cow is made of hard solid plastic and is 1 7/8 inches long. It has detailed hide and hooves. Our plastic animals come tested and approved from the manufacturers and are safe. This toy cow replica fits nicely into a shoe box diorama, a manger scene, or a farm animal collection. Check out our other cattle 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.

Plastic Trapdoor Spider

Ahhh...hello, my sweet little bug. Wanna come in for a bite?

Our Plastic Trapdoor Spider

This engaging, idealized plastic spider is made of hard durable plastic. It is 2 inches long and 1 3/8 inches wide. Our spider resembles the trapdoor spider, due to its shape, hard shelled thorax, and distinct boxing glove-shaped palps, that is, the two "sensory feelers" at front of its head. I found an Asian variety which has yellow, green and dark purple coloration, like our example. Our trapdoor spider makes a good replica in a shoe box diorama or for any school project. It is also an excellent party favor. Check out our other spider toys and gifts.

About Trapdoor Spiders

The trapdoor spider belongs to the family Ctenizidae. These are spiders that burrow and construct a trapdoor of silk, vegetable matter and soil. These relatively harmless spiders are found in numerous places in the world, especially in rainforests and warmer climates. The trapdoor is difficult to see. The spider holds it partially open, especially at night, and waits for unsuspecting prey to pass near its burrow. The trapdoor spider has an uncanny sense of movement. When movement is sensed, the spider then captures the prey in its tarsi or claws, which are at the ends of its fangs.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Swan

No ugly ducklings here!

Our Plastic Swan

Our plastic swan is white in color with a bright orange beak. It is perched on a small stand with webbed feet and its feathers are distinctly moulded to emphasize each feather. This swan would be a great addition to any animal collection, or could be used in a diorama for a school project. Check out our other swan toys and gifts.

About Swans

Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Seven species of swans exist: whooper, trumpeter, tundra, mute, black-necked, black and coscoroba. Swans have a long neck and are web-footed. Most think of swans as ornamental birds that float serenely along ponds, in zoos, or at botanical gardens. Swans generally mate for life. They remain together throughout the year and keep their young with them until they nest again. If one of a pair dies, the survivor takes a new mate and is again devoted. The swan is known for its often-fierce temperament. Their very strong wings are able to cause severe injury to any animal that the swan feels is threatening them. Swans are typically found across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Northern swans tend to be white in color with an orange beak. Southern swans are often a mixture of white and black in color, with orange, red, or black beaks. Due to their size, swans have few natural predators in the wild. Humans, however, tend to hunt swans for their meat and feathers. Other predators are usually after the swans eggs and include wolves, foxes, and raccoons. Swans generally eat a vegetarian diet which includes seaweed, aquatic plants, and an occassional small fish when they are on the water; as well as seeds, berries, and insects while on land.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Armadillo

A wonderful and unique gift for the stuffed animal collector!

Our Plush Armadillo

What a great stuffed plush armadillo! He is quite real looking, and the multi-design fabric adds to the effect. This stuffed animal has some nice touches. Note the fold of the rim around the armadillo's back and the additional texture around it. Our stuffed armadillo from Fiesta is appealingly unhurried-looking. Is he or she curious? It looks that way to us! This stuffed animal is and cuddly, sturdy and soft. To find our other stuffed animals by Fiesta, or see a list of our entire inventory of stuffed animals, beanies and puppets, check out our Stuffed Animal page; and be sure to look over our other armadillo toys and gifts.

About Armadillos

There are 20 species of armadillo living in Central and South America and the United States. 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. 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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Groundhog

Want to know when Winter ends? Ask this little guy!

Our Stuffed 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 ground hog 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 Donkey Replica

"Tha's no' very nice...he's jus' a don-kay."
Mike Myers, Shrek

Our Plastic Donkey

Our plastic toy donkey looks a little surprised! It adds character to this little figuine, and could help him look more animated in a diorama or in a toy farm setting. Our plastic donkey is 2 1/2 inches long when measured from its nose to the end of its tail. It stands up nicely to a height of 1 7/8 inches to the tips of its ears, and about 1 3/8 inches from the ground to its rump. This donkey would be perfectly happy to be used in a farm diorama, as a toy, a collectible animal, in a Christmas manger scene, or as a pack animal. In that case, you can use your own imagination to create the pack and supplies. Our plastic donkey 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 donkey toys and gifts.

About Donkeys

The donkey (Equus africanus asinus) is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family, and an odd-toed ungulate. Originally donkeys derived from their wild cousins in Africa. In the western United States, a small donkey is sometimes called by its Spanish name: "burro." While different species of the Equidae family can interbreed, offspring are almost always sterile. Nonetheless, horse/donkey hybrids are popular for their durability and vigor. A mule is the offspring of a jack (male donkey) and a mare (female horse). The much rarer successful mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny. The domesticated donkey was first seen about 3,000 BC, approximately the same time as the horse, and they have spread around the world. Donkeys have been used for centuries as beasts of burden to carry people as well as supplies, as well as companion animals. Donkeys are rugged and sure-footed in difficult terrain and on narrow trails, which has added to humans' dependence on these animals. Think of the miner and his donkey, or the people of Asia traveling long distances. Donkeys were commonly used in Europe in Medieval times. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and domesticated species are increasing in numbers. However, some of their wild relatives such as the onager, are endangered.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Thorny Devil 3-D Interlocking Plastic Puzzle

A challenging, educational, and beautiful gift for the nature lover!

Our Thorny Devil 3-D Interlocking Plastic Puzzle

These 3-D (three dimensional) puzzle animals are some of the more detailed we have seen, making them an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for grown-ups and children above the age of 3. The 23 pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. See our other 3-D Puzzle animals here.

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.