Sally Lightfoot Crab

Shouldn't it be "Sally LightFEET"?

Our Plastic Sally Lightfoot Crab

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic Sally Lightfoot crab replica is made of hard flexible plastic. It is 7 inches wide across the legs and the carapace (shell) is 2 3/4 inches wide. It does not float. Our Sally Lightfoot crab miniature has a kindly expression and promises not to pinch. This sally lightfoot crab replica makes a nice pet, a gift or fits into a diorama for a school project. See our other crab toys and gifts.

About Sally Lightfoot Crabs

The Sally Lightfoot crab (Percnon gibbesi) is one of the most common crabs along the coast of South America. It is especially prevalent along the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands. The crab derives its name from the fact that it scuttles along on its tiptoes, thereby appearing light-footed. It has large eyes and remarkable vision. It runs very quickly, is incredibly hard to sneak up on and catch and, even as a group, changes directions almost instantly. It eats algae and almost any kind of organic refuse. The Sally lightfoot crab is a prolific breeder and fortunately is not endangered like many other animals in this region. If you think the colors in our plastic crab are exaggerated, take a look at this photo of a real Sally Lightfoot crab! They must be among nature's most colorful animals!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic St. Bernard

This breed was a saint to the people they rescued!

Our Plastic St. Bernard

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic st. bernard miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This st. bernard replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/2 inches long. Equally eager to work or play! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About St. Bernards

Originally bred for rescue in the Swiss and Italian Alps, the saint bernard is a very large breed of domestic dog. St. Bernards range in weight from 140 - 264 pounds and have a typical lifespan of only 8 years.

The breed gets its name from the particularly dangerous Saint Bernard's Pass in the Western Alps (itself named for the 11th-century monk who established a station at the pass). Local search-and-rescue dogs were called "Alpenmastiff", "Noble Steeds", and "Saint Dogs" until the middle of the 19th century when they were nicknamed "St Bernards". There are scores of tales from the region relating the heroism, intelligence, and determination of the breed. While, like any large breed, St. Bernards must be well trained and socialized, the greatest danger from them was to small children being knocked over and trampled. Well-socialized, the breed is friendly and affectionate, although they have a strong tendancy towards slobbering.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Pteranodon Skeleton Model

The closest thing to a dragon to ever live on Earth!

Our Pteranodon Skeleton Model

This realistic-looking pteranodon skeleton model is made of strong plastic and is sturdy when assembled. It is 9 1/4 inches long and 9 inches wide. There are about 11 separate pieces, some large, with easy to follow assembly instructions and a diagram. The bones look weathered and connect with one another through pegs or joint sockets. Although most pieces hold together well, it may help to use a little super glue. This miniature pteranodon skeleton replica makes a nice display, a gift, or toy for children or adults and could work well for school show-and-tell or as a school science project. Check out our other dinosaur model toys and gifts.

About the Pteranodon

"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 skeleton 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.

Plastic Sheepdog

His barber makes a FORTUNE!

Our Plastic Sheepdog

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic sheepdog miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This sheepdog replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 1 3/4 inches long. Ready to guard your flock from that Wile E. Coyote! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Old English Sheepdogs

The old English sheepdog is a large-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred for herding livestock in England. Old English sheepdogs may weigh as much as 100 pounds and have a typical lifespan of 10 years.

Like the dalmatian, the old English sheepdog is eaasily recognized by it's coat. The fur of this breed is best described as "shaggy", growing long and thick and often covering the dog's face and eyes. The breed has a temperament that is intelligent, social, and never nervous or aggressive. The herding ancestry of the breed is obvious, as the dogs routinely attempt to "herd" children, animals, and even adult humans by gently probing with their muzzles. The breed is at home in a rural setting, but will readily adapt to an urban household if given proper exercise.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Ladybug

Yet another fine replica for your biology project!

Our Plastic Ladybug

This engaging, realistic, plastic ladybug is made of hard durable plastic. It is 1 3/4 inches long. It 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 ladybug toys and gifts.

About Ladybugs

The ladybug is general term of a family of beetles, Coccinellidae, with over 5000 species. In some parts of the world they are called ladybirds or lady beetles. They are small, about 3/8 inch and are generally orange,scarlet or yellow with black spots on their wing covers. This bright coloration acts as a defense mechanism against predators, who associate it with toxicity or acrid odor. In fact, the ladybug secretes an oily yellowish substance from its leg joints when roughly handled. The ladybug is a useful insect since it eats garden pests such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs. It is fun to find them and watch them crawl about, but sometimes they can be a household pest as well. I have seen them hatch by the hundreds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Dalmation

See spot run...and jump...and play!

Our Plastic Dalmation

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic dalmation miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This dalmation replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/2 inches long, with white fur and distinctive black spots. He's attentive and ready for adventure! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Dalmations

With a lineage that supposedly traces back to a region of Croatia, the dalmation is a medium-sized breed of domestic dog best known for the white-with-black-spots coat common to this breed. Dalmatians typically weigh 36 - 71 pounds have a lifespan of 10 - 13 years.

Dalmations are a popular breed for families and dog enthusiasts. The breed has high guarding instincts and are excellent hunters. Dalmatians are high-energy dogs with a playful disposition. They are particularly noted to get along well with other animals. It was this trait that led to the breed being used in conjunction with horse-drawn fire carriages in the 1800's, acting as guides and guards for the fire crews. They were so successful in this capacity that the breed is now popularly connected with fire departments in most people's imaginations. Dalmatians are genetically pre-disposed to deafness (only 70% of all dalmatians have normal hearing), and are high-energy, high-activity dogs, so anyone considering welcoming this breed into their home should be willing to make the necessary commitment to this challenging breed.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Black Beetle

Beetles truly come in all shapes and sizes!

Our Plastic Black Beetle

This detailed plastic black beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 1 3/4 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Great Dane

That's not a big dog...that's a small horse! With teeth!

Our Plastic Great Dane

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

About Great Danes

Also known as the Danish hound and the Deutsche Dogge, the great dane is a large-sized breed of domestic dog best known for the truely giant size common to this breed. Great danes over a year-and-a-half old should have a minimum weight of 100 - 120 pounds. Great danes have an average lifespan of 6 - 8 years.

Despite their enormous size and ferocious bark, the great dane is a friendly, loyal, and kind breed. Typically, great danes get along well with family members, other dogs, and non-canine pets, and while they are protective of their family, they are seldom aggressive against strangers, prefering to take a defensive stance between the stranger and family members rather than attacking. Great danes have been popular family and working hounds for centuries. Perhaps the most widely-known great dane was the cartoon character Skooby-Doo, created for Hanna-Barbera by the artist Iwao Takamoto, who based the character on photos given to him of a great dane.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Winged Ladybug

A wonderful and unique miniature!

Our Plastic Winged Ladybug

This engaging, realistic, plastic winged ladybug is made of hard durable plastic. It is 2 1/4 inches long. It 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 ladybug toys and gifts.

About Ladybugs

The ladybug is general term of a family of beetles, Coccinellidae, with over 5000 species. In some parts of the world they are called ladybirds or lady beetles. They are small, about 3/8 inch and are generally orange,scarlet or yellow with black spots on their wing covers. This bright coloration acts as a defense mechanism against predators, who associate it with toxicity or acrid odor. In fact, the ladybug secretes an oily yellowish substance from its leg joints when roughly handled. The ladybug is a useful insect since it eats garden pests such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs. It is fun to find them and watch them crawl about, but sometimes they can be a household pest as well. I have seen them hatch by the hundreds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Daschund

He may be short in stature, but he's long on loyalty!

Our Plastic Daschund

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic daschund miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed brown fur and an attractive realistic pose. This daschund replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/2 inches long. Have your own miniature weiner dog! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Daschunds

A member of the hound group, the daschund is a small-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred to scent-track and root out badgers and other burrow-dwelling game. Daschunds range in weight from 11 - 15 pounds and have a average lifespan of 13 years.

The name "daschund" is German and translates literally as "badger-dog". In modern German, the breed is referred to as "dackel", while in English, the breed is often nicknamed "hot dog", "wiener dog", or "sausage dog" in reference to the breed's characteristic elongated body shape. Daschunds are known for their tenacity, often chasing small animals, birds, and thrown objects with no thought to their safety or surroundings. This stubborness can make them difficult to train, but their natural playfulness and loyalty to their owners make them a popular pet. Burrowers by nature, daschunds will "burrow" into couches, blankets, and laundry if tired or bored.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

American Bald Eagle

The perfect centerpiece for any patriotic diorama!

Our Plastic American Bald Eagle

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this american bald eagle measures 3 1/4 inches from beak to tail and is 2 3/8 inches tall. It stands balanced on its feet and tail. The word "EAGLE" is molded on the bottom. This sturdy, durable raptor is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a wonderful birds of prey 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 eagle toys and gifts.

About American Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are large predatory sea birds who follow waterways to reach inland areas. They are found only in North America. Bald eagles can fly up to 30 mph, and can dive up to 100 mph.This explains why they are so adept at snatching fish out of the water with their feet. Mature bald eagles generally weigh between 9-12 pounds, with a wing span of about 7 feet. Bald eagles mate for life. A female usually lays 2-3 eggs a year. By three months of age, her young are able to fly, and are often on their own a month later. Bald eagles reuse their nests, adding more nesting material each time it is reused. Because of this, some nests reach as much as 10 feet across, and can weigh as much as 2000 pounds. Strict conservation efforts have enabled the bald eagle's status to be upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in the lower 48 states.

In May 2004, we visited the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. One of the most interesting parts of our visit was the VERY GOOD animal presentation at their outdoor stage. One of the animals they presented was a beautiful bald eagle. We learned that when the eagle was named, the word "bald" didn't mean "hairless" as it does now; it meant someone with white hair. Now the eagle's name makes more sense! Below you can see a photo of the eagle I took that day at the presentation, where we were allowed to get close to the animals at the end of the talk. By the way, if you get a chance to visit, it's a really nice zoo in a marvelous natural setting. And be sure to see the animal presentation!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic German Shepherd

A terrific replica of a noble breed!

Our Plastic German Shepherd

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic German shepherd miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This German shepherd replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/2 inches long. Add this noble breed to your miniatures collection! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About German Shepherds

Also known as the alsatian, the German shepherd is a large-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred to herd and guard sheep in 18th-century Germany. German shepherds range in weight from 49 - 88 pounds and have a average lifespan of 10 years.

One of the most registered of breeds with the American Kennel Club, the German shepherd is greatly prized as a guard dog, police and military dog, and service dog. The breed's strength makes them useful in attack/aggressive duites, and their intelligence allows them to be trained in a wide range of skills very quickly. In fact, German shepherds are considered the third most-intelligent breed of dog. German shepherds are an active, confident breed, and while they are devoutly loyal to their family, the breed can be dangerously hostile to strangers if not socialized properly.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Red and Black Beetle

Looks like something from Star Trek, doesn't it?

Our Plastic Red & Black Beetle

This detailed plastic red & black beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 4 1/2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Bulldog

How could something be so ugly and so cute at the same time?

Our Plastic Bulldog

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic bulldog miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This bulldog replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 1 1/2 inches long. Full of realistic personality and charm! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Bulldogs

The name bulldog usually refers to the English bulldog. There are also three other breeds of bulldog: the American, Olde English, and French bulldog. An English bulldog is a medium-sized, muscular, squat breed of domestic dog originally bred to compete in bull-baiting, a popular and horrific sport of the 1600's. Bulldogs range in weight from 45 - 60 pounds and have a typical lifespan of 8 - 12 years.

Due to the nature of bull-baiting, bulldogs evolved squat, stocky body types to withstand the violence of the sport. After the sport became illegal in the 1800's, bulldogs were used both as family pets and as working cattle dogs. Shortly thereafter, the English bulldog was bred with the pug, creating the modern bulldog with its flat face and extremely short legs.Bulldogs of all breeds tend to be docile and friendly, although extremely stubborn. Bulldogs tend to be very close to their human companions, refusing to leave the family residence, even to the yard, without a human with them.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Purple Beetle

Even the insect world has its royalty!

Our Plastic Purple Beetle

This detailed plastic Purple beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Bed Bug

Good night...sleep tight...no, he won't bite!

Our Plush Bed Bug

This lovely, realistic-looking stuffed bed bug is kind and endearing. The legs and antennae are made of soft plush fabric. This allows for a myriad of postions. The body is a rose-pink with large, bulging, dark eyes. This bed bug wants to be your friend and promises not to bite. Check out our other bed bug toys and gifts.

About Bed Bugs

The common bed bug or bedbug (Cimex lectularius), like the flea, feeds on the blood of its host. It lives in crevices, carpeting and especially along the seams of matresses. The bed bug is a solitary insect, but can also live in clusters. It is a nocturnal creature, but creeps around and becomes especially active for a short period before dawn. It can be seen with the naked eye since it is usually 1/8 to 1/3 inches long. Unlike the roach, it is not necessarily associated with a filthy environment. The adult bed bug is oval-shaped and red-bown in color, often compared to a lentil. It scurries rather quickly and therefore may be hard to spot when disturbed at night. The bed bug was, for the most part, eradicated in the 1940s through the use of DDT. It is making a comeback in warmer climates, such as in Florida. Bed bugs bite when disturbed, leaving small red markings. Unlike the tick, it does not crawl under the host's skin. To avoid bedbugs, bedding should be put in the dryer and heated to 120 degrees. This will kill any eggs. Also, spraying with an alcohol-based product is allegedly helpful to kill bed bugs.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Boxer

A fantastic miniature replica of a wonderful breed!

Our Plastic Boxer

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic boxer miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This boxer replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 1/2 inches long. A beautiful miniature replica in every way! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Boxers

The boxer is a stocky medium-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred in Germany as a hunting and guard dog. Boxers range in weight from 55 - 70 pounds and have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years.

Boxers tend to be lively and friendly, although suspicious of strangers. This, combined with their natural strength, alertness, and agility make boxers delightful pets and formidable guard dogs. In addition to these roles, boxers have been used in many service roles, working with the blind, the elderly, and law enforcement. Even the military has made use of these versitile dogs as guards and messengers.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Black-Spotted Beetle

Another unique and wonderful specimen from our new line of beetles!

Our Plastic Black-Spotted Beetle

This detailed plastic black-spotted beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 1 3/4 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Green Beetle

An interesting and colorful insect replica!

Our Plastic Green Beetle

This detailed plastic green beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 1 1/2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Beagle

Doesn't look much like a WW1 flying ace, but handsome nonetheless!

Our Plastic Beagle

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic beagle miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose. This beagle replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 2 inches long. A beautiful miniature replica in every way! Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Beagles

A member of the hound group, the beagle is a small- to medium-sized breed of domestic dog originally bred to scent-track game, such as rabbits. Beagles range in weight from 20 - 25 pounds and have a typical lifespan of 10-13 years.

Originally bred in Great Britain in the 1830's as a hunting dog, the beagle is typically even-tempered and gentle. Beagles tend to be neither timid nor aggresive, described generally as "merry". Their delightful and trusting disposition makes them poor guard dogs. However, they can fill the watchdog role, alerting their household to the approach of a stranger with barking and howling. Having been bred for the chase, beagles are determined and stubbornly single-minded, which can make them hard to train.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Yellow Ladybug

Stand up and be different from the others!

Our Plastic Yellow Ladybug

This engaging, realistic, plastic yellow ladybug is made of hard durable plastic. It is 2 inches long. It 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 ladybug toys and gifts.

About Ladybugs

The ladybug is general term of a family of beetles, Coccinellidae, with over 5000 species. In some parts of the world they are called ladybirds or lady beetles. They are small, about 3/8 inch and are generally orange,scarlet or yellow with black spots on their wing covers. This bright coloration acts as a defense mechanism against predators, who associate it with toxicity or acrid odor. In fact, the ladybug secretes an oily yellowish substance from its leg joints when roughly handled. The ladybug is a useful insect since it eats garden pests such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs. It is fun to find them and watch them crawl about, but sometimes they can be a household pest as well. I have seen them hatch by the hundreds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Rough Collie

First in line of our new beautiful dog replicas!

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.

Plastic Gold Beetle

The Bling of the insect world!

Our Plastic Gold Beetle

This detailed plastic gold beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 1 3/4 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Amazing Collectible Alligator

Truely a one-of-a-kind collector's item!

Check Out This Display Of Amazing Artistic Talent!!!

This hand-beaded alligator is nothing less than extraordinary! Absolutely one-of-a-kind, this amazing creation from the artists of Guatemala is over two feet long and LOADED with details!

This spectacular collectible figurine was created with the help of our good friend Catherine Todd and the skillful artistry of local Guatemalan craftsmen. Similar pieces have been sold at the New York Museum of Natural History for over $1,000! This figurine has a solid plastic core covered in HUNDREDS of stone beads, each arranged and placed BY HAND to form the wonderful patterns and features of this truely wonderful, one-of-a-kind creation.

Check out our other reptiles as well as our page of beaded animals and beaded keychains from Guatemala. 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.

About Alligators

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Black and Yellow Beetle w/ Pinchers

Ferocious in appearance, but harmless!

Our Plastic Black and Yellow Beetle w/ Pinchers

This detailed plastic black and yellow beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 2 1/4 inches long with a realistic textured surface and ferocious-looking pinchers! An impressive figurine in size and detail! Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Brown and Yellow Beetle

Now THAT'S a funky-lookin' bug!

Our Plastic Brown and Yellow Beetle

This detailed plastic brown and yellow beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. An impressive figurine in size and detail! Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Flying Ant

A replica of a queen on the prowl!

Our Plastic Flying Ant

This detailed plastic flying ant is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this ant replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. Check out our other ant and insect 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 Black and Yellow Beetle

A common sight in every front yard!

Our Plastic Black and Yellow Beetle

This detailed plastic black and yellow beetle is made of somewhat flexible plastic with good quality. This replica is robust and durable, ready for hours of play! While it does not float, this beetle replica makes for a great toy, gift, or centerpiece for a school project. It is 1 1/2 inches long with a realistic textured surface. An impressive figurine in size and detail! Check out our other beetle and insect toys and gifts.

About Beetles

The name Beetle refers to any of the 400,000 known species of insect belonging to the order Coleoptera (taken from the Greek words for "sheathed wing"). Virtually all beetles have two sets of wings, front and back. The rear set of wings are commonly used to fly, while the forward set is thick and hard, forming a protective shell or "sheath" over the flying wings and the rear of the beetle's body. Beetles represent nearly 40% of all insect species in the world, and new species are being discovered all the time. In fact, the order Coleoptera includes more species than any other order, and represents nearly a quarter of all life-forms on the planet. Scientists believe the total number of beetle species, discovered and undiscovered, to be between 1 and 100 million species. Beetles are widely diverse in size, weight, and coloration, and exist in every habitat on Earth except marine and polar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Resin Mountain Tapir Figurine

A one-of-a-king piece of tapir art!

Special Note

This piece was made in Colombia for the Tapir Preservation Fund by researcher/artist Sergio Sandoval. We have only 10 available as I write this on September 25, 2009. WE PROBABLY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANY MORE due to new laws about testing of paint and plastics on any item that could be construed as a child's toy. Sergio would be happy to make more tapirs for us, but we don't know how Customs will view this item if we were to import them. We could call them a collector's item or figurine, but if the Customs Department believes they could be considered a toy suitable for a child 12 or under (and they are made of a durable plastic material), each shipment would be required to enter the country with a certificate of testing that would cost about $1800.00. The actual materials are safe, and the paint is a non-toxic paint made in the U.S. We imported these tapirs before testing was required. Unfortunately, we don't think we will be able to do it again. We do expect to continue to import wood carvings and other art from tapir range countries including Colombia - items that are clearly not for use by children.

Your purchase helps us support tapir conservation in the field.

Our Mountain Tapir

This realistic-looking mountain tapir is made of strong resin (you would almost think it was ceramic) and it stands firmly on its 14-toed feet. It is black in color with white highlights along the ears and around the mouth. "Mamadanta" (mother tapir) is 4 1/4 inches long and 2 3/8 inches tall. She shows distinctive and accurate detail of the fur and toes, as she was made by Tapir Specialist Sergio Sandoval of Colombia. Our mountain tapir figurine has an affectionate expression and makes an excellent gift or toy for children or adults and could work well for school show-and-tell or as a school science project. It may also become a valued item in anyone's tapir or animal collection. Check out our other tapir toys and gifts.

About Mountain Tapirs

The mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) is the rarest of all the tapir species. It is also the smallest in size and the only one that lives outside of tropical rainforests. It ranges high in the Andes of South America, exclusively in Colombia, Ecaudor and Northern Peru, where it spends long solitary hours, sleeping or nibbling fruits and leaves. The adult mountain tapir, called "danta" in Colombia, weighs about 300-500 pounds, has a woolly coat and white along its ear tips and around its mouth. Like other tapirs, it has a flexible nose or proboscis. It has four toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet. The mountain tapir has been driven nearly into extinction by habitat loss and wanton hunting. Successful breeding programs exist at the Los Angeles Zoo and Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Skunk

"I am the lifeguard of love, no?"
Pepe le Pew

Our Plush Striped 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 Mountain Lion

Puma, cougar, mountain lion...whatever you call them, they command respect!

Our Plastic Mountain Lion

Our plastic mountain lion/ plastic cougar is 2 1/2 inches long and 1 inch tall. It has good detail including a pink nose and a white belly. This plastic mountain lion/ plastic cougar works well for school projects and dioramas as well as for decorations, collections of animal figurines, etc. Be sure to see our other mountain lion/cougar toys and gifts.

About Mountain Lions

The mountain lion/cougar ((Puma concolor), ) has the greatest range of any terrestrial animal in the Western hemisphere stretching from the Andes in South America to the Yukon of Canada. It is also known as a puma. It stalks its prey in the underbrush or in the open and can bring down a deer with little problem although it prefers the weak and young. It can be as much as 8 feet long from nose to tail, 2 1/2 feet high, and can weigh as much as 260 pounds. The mountain lion/cougar is incredibly agile and can run at short bursts up to 35 miles per hour. Like many animals, the mountain lion is coming more and more in contact with humans. Traditional ranges are impacted by farming and housing. It is not presently endangered but its fate remains uncertain as human contact increases. According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, "....the mountain lion is the foremost symbol of our vanishing wilderness."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Flea

The Olympic long-jumper of the animal kingdom!

Our Stuffed Flea

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed flea is soft and floppy. The legs are made of soft plush fabric allowing for a myriad of postions. The body is light brown. Our flea has a kindly expression and promises not to bite. This flea makes a nice pet, a gift to a dog or cat lover, or to the local veternarian. Check out our other flea toys and gifts.

About Fleas

The word "flea" is a general term referring to any number of small wingless insects in the order Siphonaptera. The flea is a parasite and lives off the blood of mammals and birds. The flea is usually 1/8 inch long, dark brown to red-brown in color, wingless and possessing a tube designed to suck blood from its host. The flea's body is hard, smooth and flat in order to crawl with ease through hair. Its body is tough and adapted to withstand the scratching and biting of the annoyed host. In relation to its size, the flea is the greatest jumper of all living creatures.

The Tag on Our Stuffed Flea Says:

FACTS: The flea's diminutive size has made it a global symbol of insignificance. But as carriers of typhus and tapeworms - not to mention bubonic plague - fleas will not be ignored.

One of the original subjects of microscopic examination (early microscopes were called "flea glasses"), fleas can now boast of nearly 3,000 identified species. The most commonly encountered is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides Felis, but despite its name, it is broad-minded with respect to hosts and will happily affix itself to dogs - as well as their best friends!

If you encounter a flea, thorough vacuuming, twice a day for several weeks, is recommended. A single flea can lay hundreds of eggs, so you don't want to miss any. (And if you do, call for help: professional exterminators should be able to handle the problem.)

Of course, fleas are hardly all-work-and-no-play: they have the noted abilities to jump hundreds of times their own height and carry loads hundreds of times their own weight. These remarkable skills probably account for the creation of circuses designed to highlight other remarkable flea-talents such as playing in an orchestra, dancing, juggling, fencing, and a variety of other diverting activities. So if all else fails, send in the clowns.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Dragonfly

Before dinosaurs, these guys were THREE FEET LONG!!

Our Plastic Dragonfly

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic dragonfly is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 2 1/2 inches long and 2 1/4 inches across from wing-tip to wing-tip. Our plastic dragonfly has clear plastic, detailed wings and a red and yellow segmented body. We don't know what kind of dragonfly our plastic dragonfly replicates, but if you do, 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 dragonfly toys and gifts.

About Dragonflies

A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata. It is has large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, midges, and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. They are valuable predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans, though they will bite in order to escape, if grasped by the abdomen. Dragonflies hover above the water, but then can rapidly accelerate. They capture their prey by clasping them in legs studded by spikes. We are most familiar with the adult stage of the dragonfly, but most of their life is spent as a nymph below the water.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Custom-Made Mountain Tapir Aluminum Earrings, Pins, and Pendants

Come check out our line of customizable animal jewelry!

Our Custom Aluminum Jewelry

This animal jewelry is unique! Any item can be ordered in a variety of colors. This sturdy, light-weight mountain 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!

Customers have a wide variety of choices. Pendants and earrings come with a bead. Corinna will try to find any color you want, so bead choices are almost endless. The tapir itself comes in a variety of colors as listed in the drop-down menu above. Each mountain tapir measures about 1 1/4 inches from nose to tail. 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. Make sure to come look through our entire collection of tapir jewelry.

About Mountain Tapirs

The mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) is the rarest of all the tapir species. It is also the smallest in size and the only one that lives outside of tropical rainforests. It ranges high in the Andes of South America, exclusively in Colombia, Ecaudor and Northern Peru, where it spends long solitary hours, sleeping or nibbling fruits and leaves. The adult mountain tapir, called "danta" in Colombia, weighs about 300-500 pounds, has a woolly coat and white along its ear tips and around its mouth. Like other tapirs, it has a flexible nose or proboscis. It has four toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet. The mountain tapir has been driven nearly into extinction by habitat loss and wanton hunting. Successful breeding programs exist at the Los Angeles Zoo and Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

American Bald Eagle

A fantastic replica of America's patron raptor!

Our Plastic American Bald Eagle

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this american bald eagle measures 3 1/4 inches from beak to tail and is 2 3/8 inches tall. It stands balanced on its feet and tail. The word "EAGLE" is molded on the bottom. This sturdy, durable raptor is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a wonderful birds of prey 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 eagle toys and gifts.

About American Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are large predatory sea birds who follow waterways to reach inland areas. They are found only in North America. Bald eagles can fly up to 30 mph, and can dive up to 100 mph.This explains why they are so adept at snatching fish out of the water with their feet. Mature bald eagles generally weigh between 9-12 pounds, with a wing span of about 7 feet. Bald eagles mate for life. A female usually lays 2-3 eggs a year. By three months of age, her young are able to fly, and are often on their own a month later. Bald eagles reuse their nests, adding more nesting material each time it is reused. Because of this, some nests reach as much as 10 feet across, and can weigh as much as 2000 pounds. Strict conservation efforts have enabled the bald eagle's status to be upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in the lower 48 states.

In May 2004, we visited the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. One of the most interesting parts of our visit was the VERY GOOD animal presentation at their outdoor stage. One of the animals they presented was a beautiful bald eagle. We learned that when the eagle was named, the word "bald" didn't mean "hairless" as it does now; it meant someone with white hair. Now the eagle's name makes more sense! Below you can see a photo of the eagle I took that day at the presentation, where we were allowed to get close to the animals at the end of the talk. By the way, if you get a chance to visit, it's a really nice zoo in a marvelous natural setting. And be sure to see the animal presentation!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.