Blessed Samhain!!!

From your friends at TPF, have a safe and happy Halloween!!!

About Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated around the world annually on October 31. Celebrations vary based on geography, culture, religon, and individual preference, but most feature a theme regarding the honoring of ancestors and recognizing the change in seasons from a time of abundance and fertility (Summer) to a time of cold and darkness (Winter). This holiday goes by the name Hallowe'en, All Hallows' Evening/Eve, Samhain, Samuin, and Parentalia.

In neopagan and pre-christian faiths, the holiday of Samhain (pronounced SOW-win) represents the last of three harvest festivals, signifying the end of Summer and the coming of Winter. In a practical sense, the holiday celebrates the end of agricultural work (the harvests are in, work's done, HOORAY!), but has a dark connotation that "what you have is all you have"...what you've harvested had to last until the next growing season. In a religious sense, Samhain is one of two holidays (the other is Beltaine, held May 1) that represent a short time of transition, where the boundries between our plane of existence and that of the Summerland (where the spirits of the dead reside) become thin and porous. Spirits of fallen friends and family can come calling, or may even be invited to attend meals in their honor (called Dumb Suppers). Mischevious spirits can wreak havok on the living on this night, and many people decorate themselves and their homes with wards against these poltergeists in the form of Jack-O-Lanterns and elaborate costumes.

The Christian holiday of All Hallows' Day or All Saints Day occurs on November 1, and so October 31 is "All Hallow's Eve". Both All Hallows' Day and All Souls Day (held on November 2) involve honoring those individuals who have passed away and praying for the recently dead to ensure their souls safely reach Heaven, and are therefore very similar to the older cultural beliefs of this time of year. Attitudes amongst modern Christians regarding Halloween vary widely, from cheerful acceptance of what they see as a childrens' night of fun to a horrible holiday of demon worship and blasphemy. I recently saw a Christian Halloween dance being advertised as "reclaiming what Satan has stolen". Many American public schools no longer offer Halloween celebrations because of potential conflicts within their communities regarding the holiday.

The holiday of Halloween involves many unique images and traditions. The Jack-O-Lantern, carved out of gourds and root vegetables, is a common sight throughout October. Goblins, vampires, werewolves, and other denizens of popular horror fiction decorate homes and workplaces. Games like bobbing for apples and corn mazes become popular. Trick-or-treating is a common tradition on this night. Orange and black dominate clothes, homes, and stores. Above all, any nocturnal, creepy, or ferocious animal features prominently in Halloween decor, costume, and gift-giving. Scorpions, spiders, and insects abound...the raven and the owl watch over trick-or-treaters and are harbingers of news...and of course, the black cat slinks through the shadows, watching to cross the unwary's path.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Bat Pins ~ Made in USA

It doesn't have to be Halloween to wear this fantastic pin!

Our Hand-Crafted Bat Pin

These gorgeous and unusual bat pins are made in Washington and Idaho by a team of U.S. artists. The high-quality lapel pins or oversized tie tacks are unique. They are exquisitely detailed; the quality of the painting elevates each pin to an item of wearable art. Each one is cast in pewter and painted by hand. You will be delighted with the professional quality and artistic details of your piece of fish jewelry. The finish is extremely smooth and shiny, as you can see by the highlight from the scanner. It is also extremely durable. The pin is secured by two sturdy tacks on the back so it stays upright, and the finished product is not only beautiful, but satisfyingly substantial in weight. It can be used as a lapel pin, hat pin, tie tack, and more. This collectible animal pin is heirloom quality, and the details are so realistic, they are found in museum gift shops and bought by organizations in need of the perfect animal to represent their group.

About Bats

The only mammal capable of true, sustainable flight, bats represent about 20% of all classified mammal species. About 70% of bats are insectivores, with most of the rest feeding predominantly on fruit. Very few species are non-insect carnivores, and the infamous vampire bat representing the only parasitic mammalian species.

Bats attain flight through a specialized webbing of skin between their legs and forward digits. Bats are capable of highly acrobatic and fast flight, in contrast to other "flying" mammals, such as flying squirrels, which glide rather than fly.

Bats feature prominently in popular fiction, folklore, and heraldry. The modern-day coat-of-arms of several Spanish and French cities feature bats, as well as the insignia of Royal Valentcia Yacht Club and two Spanish football clubs. The U.S. states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia each have a official state bat.

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sea Turtle Keychains from Guatemala

An absolutely stunning ornament you can take with you everywhere!

Our Beaded Sea Turtle Keychain

The beading on these sea turtle keychains is securely stitched into a woven fabric of beads and is very sturdy. Unlike some beaded animals I've seen that are beautiful and engaging but very delicate, these sea turtles are durable and with normal handling will hold up extremely well. Check out our other sea turtle items as well as our page of 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 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 Sea Turtles

All six species of sea turtles in the U.S. (green sea turtle, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley) are listed as threatened or endangered on the U.S. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife List. Sea turtles are aquatic reptiles and live most of their lives in the ocean. Sea turtles are excellent divers, the Leatherback species routinely dive more than 1,000 ft., and may reach depths of more than 3,900 ft. seeking jellyfish. Although they must swim to the ocean surface to breathe periodically, some turtles can remain underwater for as long as 5 hours without breathing! Currently sea turtles are endangered because not only are they hunted by people as a food source, but they are losing their beach habitat to recreational development, drowning in fishing and shrimp nets, and ingesting plastic trash. (Sea turtle research by Joslyn Biggins.)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Fly 3D Puzzle

As much fun to assemble as it is educational!

Our 3D Fly Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful insect model comes assembled, and its body is 3 inches long. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed insect stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other insect toys.

About House Flies

The common house fly (Musca domestica) is from the order Diptera, meaning two-winged, although the house fly actually has only one pair of wings. It has an excellent avoidance reaction due to its sensitivity to air movement. The house fly transmits diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and salmonella and is a menace in poorer areas. The house fly eats only liquids. It spits out saliva onto solid food to pre-digest it. Then it sucks the food back in through its proboscis, spits the food back out again and re-eats it. The house fly is a master at walking upside-down and walking on vertical surfaces. It accomplishes this feat by secreting adhesive juices from glands above its feet. Also the house fly is constantly preening its hairy legs. It must do this in order to keep the smell and taste receptors on the tiny hairs clean and viable.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Digger Bee Replica

Your project will be the "buzz" of the school with this as its centerpiece!

Our Plastic Digger Bee

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic digger bee is flexible. The wings are securely glued onto the back and are made of a semi-transparent floppy plastic. The bee comes with a thin elastic loop firmly attached to the top between the thorax and abdomen. The loop is 4 inches long when relaxed, and if attached or held, the bee will bounce and swing according to your movements or when touched by the breeze if hung outdoors. The wings are 6 1/2 inches from tip to tip, and the body, from the front of the feelers to the end of the tail, is 4 1/4 inches long. Splotches of yellow paint on the legs indicate that this bee has been collecting pollen. The plastic digger bee comes with an informational tag. Check out our other bee toys and gifts.

About Bees

Bees are insects, having six legs, a head, thorax and abdomen. There are about 20,000 species of bee. The digger bee (Ptilothrix bombi formis) can be found in most of North America. They fly to such a wide variety of flowers that they are at times called flower-loving bees. They tend to frequent hibiscus flowers. Adult bees burrow nests into clay or sand banks where they store honey and pollen for food.The entrance to the nest is then hidden by a chimney constructed of mud. The digger bee collects pollen on its hind legs and carries it back to the nest.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Giraffe 3D Puzzle

The latest in our line of new, detailed 3D puzzles!

Our Giraffe 3D Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful animal model comes assembled. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed animal stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other hoofed animal toys.

About Giraffes

Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are the biggest ruminant and the tallest mammal. They have very long necks with a short, upstanding mane. Their high shoulders slope steeply to their hindquarters. The head tapers to a point and they have a long, prehensile tongue. Their horns are solid bone and skin covered. Tails are hocklength, with a long tassel. Their brown to rich chestnut colored coat (old males are darker, even black) is dissected into intricate tapestry by patches and blotches of lighter hair. Each giraffe's markings are unique.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Life-sized Tarantula Beaded Keychain

Just the thing to guard your keys!

Our Tarantula Beaded Keychain

You will be the topic of conversation when your friends see you carrying your keys attached to THIS beautiful spider! It is life-sized and oh, so impressive. It stands up on its own legs like a real tarantula, and it sparkles in the sun. What more could a spider-lover or Halloween afficianado ask for?

We have a number of spider products in our store, so why does this tarantula keychain scream "tarantella" to me? Maybe because it's almost the size of my hand and is so animated-looking that I half expect it to either skittle away or come after me on dancing legs.

This spider keychain would be the perfect scary accessory to carry with you on Halloween night. Or you might love it so much you'd want "Spidee" with you all year 'round. This is actually a beautiful beaded animal with its purple, shiny beads and sturdily-woven construction.

The beading on these tarantula keychains is securely stitched into a woven fabric of beads and is very sturdy. Unlike some beaded animals I've seen that are beautiful and engaging but very delicate, these tarantulas are durable and with normal handling will hold up extremely well. Check out our other tarantula items as well as our page of 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 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 Tarantulas

The true tarantula (Lycosa tarantula) is an Italian wolf spider whose habitat is centered around the city of Taranto. While this was the first species of spider to be named "tarantula", it is not to be confused with the tarantulas of the western hemisphere. A true tarantula is neither large nor hairy, and while its venom has never been proven to be threatening to humans, local superstition says the bite of a tarantula produses a disease called "tarantism", which can only be cured through the performance of a frenzied dance called the tarantella.

Particularly in North America, the term "tarantula" commonly refers to any large-bodied, hairy spider. Currently, over 900 species of spider have been associated with the name tarantula. Some hunt primarily in trees, some on the ground. All tarantulas are venomous, but most are harmless to humans, with very few having extremely unpleasant side effects. The largest species of tarantula, the Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) has a leg-span of up to 12 inches and can weigh almost half a pound.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Centipede 3D Puzzle

He was even creepy to put together!

Our Centipede 3D Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful insect model comes assembled. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed insect stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other insect toys.

About Centipedes

Centipedes are terrestial arthropods. The word "centipede" is a general term for a many-legged insect with a pair of legs for each body segment. There are an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes ranging from the Arctic Circle to the the rainforests of South America. Centipedes have dangerous claws at the first appendage and can give a nasty sting. They tend to be nocturnal. They are usually found under rocks or in thick mulch. Most centipedes are small, but some reach 8 inches in length. The world's record is held by a centipede found in the Amazon River area, which reached over 12 inches in length.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Green Anole Flashlight

He'll cling right to your bookbag or belt!

Our Carabiner Animal Flashlights

Our carabiner animal flashlights are the coolest way to make sure you always have a light nearby! Look at the tail, they simply open up to snap onto a key ring, backpack, belt, book bag, or anyplace else a person can hook something. The light is surprisingly bright for such a small item! Keep one next to your bed, by the back door, inside your car or on your bike. The light is bright enough to find things in the dark - such as finding the lock on your house or car door. Helps keep both kids and adults safe when unexpected scenarios come up. Just press the button on the critter's back, and you have light! Is there a better way to find the outhouse on a camping trip than to let our flashlight animals find the trail for you? Or what about lighting your way on Halloween? Fun for birthday parties, as stocking stuffers, or Hanukkah gifts for any age. Check out our other lizard toys and gifts and our multi-style animal flashlights. The animal flashlights page also shows you what the lights look like when the light is on! If you have a teeeeeny little screwdriver, you can pop in a replacement battery. However, we've noticed that the lights last for quite a long time on the original battery.

About Green Anoles

Anoles are small, common lizards of the family Polychrotidae, located in the south-eastern United States, the Caribbean, and other isolated western regions. There are currently 372 known species of anoles.

The green or Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis) is the only anole native to North America, concentrated in he southeastern United States. While the green anole has the ability to change the color of its skin in reaction to mood or threat, it is not a true chameleon. The green anole can also self-amputate its tail in response to an attack, but again, it is not related to the gecko. The green anole spends most of its time in trees, hunting small insects. An influx of the Cuban brown anole into Florida and the deep south has begun to push the native green anole further north.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Pachycephalosaurus 3D Puzzle

Bet he needed LOTS of asprin!

Our Pachycephalosaurus 3D Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful dinosaur model measures 4.75 inches from nose to tail and 3 inches tall. It comes assembled. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed dinosaur stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other dinosaur toys.

About Pachycephalosaurus

Dinosaurs represent the dominant terrestrial lifeforms on planet Earth for 135 million years, from the beginning of the Jurassic period through the end of the Cretaceous period approximately 65 million years ago. While no human ever lived during the age of dinosaurs, modern palentologists have learned much studying the fossilized remains of these magnificent creatures.

Pachycephalosaurus is best known for a characteristic dome of bone crowning its skull. This dome can be as much as 10 inches thick. The purpose of such a formidable helmet of bone is still being debated by paleontologists. It's been suggested that pachycephalosaurus competed with each other by cracking their heads together in much the same way modern mountain goats do, in which case the thick dome of bone would be necessary to protect pachycephalosaurus's brain. Pachycephalosaurus was believed to be up to 15 feet long and weighed almost 1,000 pounds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Centipede

Another wonderful creepy-crawly for your Halloween buffet!

Our Plastic Centipede

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic centipede is made of hard, flexible plastic. It is 3 1/4 inches long from feeler to feeler. It works well for a shoe box diorama or other school projects. It also makes for an interesting gag or party favor. Check out our other centipede toys and gifts.

About Centipedes

Centipedes are terrestial arthropods. The word "centipede" is a general term for a many-legged insect with a pair of legs for each body segment. There are an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes ranging from the Arctic Circle to the the rainforests of South America. Centipedes have dangerous claws at the first appendage and can give a nasty sting. They tend to be nocturnal. They are usually found under rocks or in thick mulch. Most centipedes are small, but some reach 8 inches in length. The world's record is held by a centipede found in the Amazon River area, which reached over 12 inches in length.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Dilophosaurus 3D Puzzle

Another star from Jurassic Park!!

Our Dilophosaurus 3D Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful dinosaur model measures 5 inches from nose to tail and 3.5 inches tall. It comes assembled. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed dinosaur stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other dinosaur toys.

About Dilophosaurus

Dinosaurs represent the dominant terrestrial lifeforms on planet Earth for 135 million years, from the beginning of the Jurassic period through the end of the Cretaceous period approximately 65 million years ago. While no human ever lived during the age of dinosaurs, modern palentologists have learned much studying the fossilized remains of these magnificent creatures.

Dilophosaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur that existed about 193 million years ago. Fossils of dilophosaurus were originally found in 1942 in Arizona. Dilophosaurus could grow to be 20 feet long, and it's estimated they weighed as much as 1000 pounds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Larger Plastic Goldfish

A classic bath-time plaything!

Our Plastic Goldfish

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

About Goldfish

The fantail goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) is a small goldfish that has bred primarily for show. It distinguishes itself from the common goldfish by its split or double caudal (tail) fin. It is a hardy fish and can tolerate water several degrees above freezing. Since they are omnivorous, the fantail goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods.They love to feed on feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Black Scorpion

Another life-sized replica. EWWW!!!

Our Plastic Scorpion

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic scorpion replica is made of rubbery plastic with bendable appendages. This scorpion replica has elaborate detail and is painted entirely black. This toy scorpion is 7 inches long from tail to the tips of its claws.This rubber black scorpion makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible or a terrific gag or party favor. Our plastic scorpion is especially useful at Halloween. Check out our other scorpion toys and gifts.

About Scorpions

Scorpions are found in warm regions. They are arachnids, and therefore more closely related to spiders than to insects. They are found not only in the desert, but also in forests. They spend much of the day under logs and leaf litter, and feed mostly at night on spiders and insects. Most scorpions are only painful to humans and are not especially dangerous, although a few can deliver a fatal sting. Children and elderly people are more at risk from their venom than strong, healthy adults. The approximately 2,000 species of scorpion vary widely in size, from about 1/2 inch to 7 inches long. Our plastic scorpion is most likely an artistic version of the Arizona desert scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis pallidus), characterized by a dirty light brown/yellow color and a black to brown streak on its back. People have collected scorpions and made a commercial product out of them in the form of paperweights and keychains by placing them inside moulded plastic. Because of this, they have become over-collected and are now "a CITES-listed animal, meaning scorpions could be threatened with extinction if exportation and other threats, such as development, are not regulated." [Wikipedia]

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Hissing Cockroach

Just flat-out nasty!

Our Hissing Cockroach

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

About Cockroaches

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Shrimp Keychains from Guatemala

The perfect gift for the fisherman, chef, or ocean-lover in your life!

Our Shrimp Beaded Keychains

The beading on these shrimp animal keychains is securely stitched into a woven fabric of beads and is very sturdy. Unlike some beaded animals I've seen that are beautiful and engaging but very delicate, these shrimp are durable and with normal handling will hold up extremely well. Check out our other shrimp items as well as our page of beaded keychains from Guatemala. When you purchase one of these unique keychain 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 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 Shrimp

Many different, unrelated forms of crustacean fall under the heading of “shrimp.” Most shrimp require a marine environment to grow and reproduce…a very few species can tolerate freshwater environments. Shrimp can collect in schools or survive independently, and form the basic food source for many marine predators. Like lobster, shrimp walk very slowly, but swim (backwards) very quickly by snapping their tail. Unlike lobster, shrimp have been successfully farmed for human consumption since the 1970s, with almost a third of the world’s commercial shrimp supplied by farming.

While the word "prawn" tends to be used in North America to describe any big shrimp, there are biological differences between true shrimp and true prawns. Biologists can distinguish between the two by their gill structure, but an easy way to tell is to examine the segments that form the shrimp’s abdomen. On a shrimp, the second segment overlaps both the first and third segments. On a prawn, it overlaps only the first.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Monarch Butterfly Finger Puppet

A truely stunning toy or stage prop!

Our Monarch Butterfly Finger Puppet

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

About Monarch Butterflies

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Beluga Whale

He's been gone a long time, but we've got him back!!!

Our Plastic Beluga Whale

This large flexible, realistic-looking beluga whale replica is made of hollow plastic.The Beluga whale is white in color and measures 7.5 inches long from the lower jaw to tail. His mouth is open and he can float, which will make him a bath time favorite. He also comes equipped with a realistic squeaker, which will provide hours of entertainment! This beluga whale 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 whale toys and gifts.

About Beluga Whales

The Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic or sub-Arctic species of cetacean related to narwhals. It measures up to 16 ft in length and all-white in color with a distinctive protuberance on the head. From a conservation perspective, the beluga is considered "near threatened or critically endangered." The adult beluga is rarely mistaken for another species, because it is completely white or whitish-gray in color. Calves, however, are usually gray. Its head is unlike that of any other cetacean. Like most toothed whales it has a melon—an oily, fatty tissue lump found at the center of the forehead. The beluga's melon is extremely bulbous and even malleable. The beluga is able to change the shape of its head by blowing air around its sinuses. Unlike many dolphins and whales, the vertebrae in the neck are not fused together, allowing the beluga to turn its head laterally.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Opossum Stuffed Finger Puppet

Death. By. Cuteness.

Our Opossum Finger Puppet

Our sweet stuffed mini opossum finger puppet measures 4 1/2 inches from nose to rump. It's tail adds another 4 3/4 inches. It's "fur" is a super soft material that feels like silk. The nose and eyes are hard plastic, the ears a soft leathery fabric, the feet and tail are cloth and the whiskers are nylon strings. The tail has velco on the tip and base to form a loop when folded in half. Slide your finger through the loop and into the pocket on the underside and it will look like the 'possum has its tail securely wrapped around your finger. To find our other puppets in this line, or see our entire inventory of stuffed beanies, plush finger puppets and stuffed animals, check out our Stuffed Beanies and Plush Puppets Page and Stuffed Animals Page. Come see our other opossum toys and gifts.

About Opossums

As with other small marsupials, the gestation period of an opossum is only about 12 to 14 days. The young are born at a very immature stage and must find their way into the mother's pouch. They live and feed inside her pouch until they are weaned at about 70 to 125 days. They cling to Mom's back until they are old enough to take care of themselves. Opossums are omnivorous, eating small animals such as insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small mammals, and earthworms. They eat carrion as well as garbage, but some of their favorite food is fruit. The most famous behavior of the opossum is "playing 'possum" when threatened or hurt. This is a completely involuntary response. The lips curl, the body stiffens, and a foul-smelling liquid is released, so a human or other animal might really believe the opossum is dead and leave it alone. It can even be picked up at this time and will resemble a dead animal. After a few minutes or hours, the opossum will again become animated and run away, hopefully having eluded the danger. Baby opossums will open their mouths, show their pointed teeth, and make a hissing noise if they feel threatened. Adult opossums do not hang from trees by their tails, but babies will sometimes hang from the mother's tail for a short time. An adult opossum will use its tail as a brace or an extra limb when climbing trees. They are usually solitary, will temporarily take over abandoned burrows, and prefer protection from the dark or dark areas, becoming active between dusk and dawn, and rarely coming into view during the day. Although many people consider opossums disgusting or a nuisance, they are essentially harmless, and many people find them very cute. They are extremely interesting small mammals.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Makes You Want to Dance the Tarantella

Life-sized Tarantula Keychain available from

Tapir and Friends for $25.00

We have a number of spider products in our store, so why does this tarantula keychain scream "tarantella" to me? Maybe because it's almost the size of my hand and it's so animated-looking that I half expect it to either skittle away or come after me on dancing legs.

This spider keychain would be the perfect scary accessory to carry with you on Halloween night. Or you might love it so much you 'd want "Spidee" with you all year 'round. This is actually a beautiful beaded animal with its purple, shiny beads and sturdily-woven construction.

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Plastic Lobster

Back by popular demand!!

Our Plastic Lobster

This toy lobster is made of soft plastic. It's so realistic, it's almost a replica of a real lobster. Our lobster is slightly squeezable like a rubber animal, and it floats. When you fill it with water, it squirts from the mouth. When it's filled with air, it squeaks when you squeeze it! The 8 1/2-inch length is measured from the curved feelers to the end of its tail. Check out our other lobster and shrimp toys and gifts.

About Lobsters

Our lobster replica is a clawed lobster, a large marine crustacean related to freshwater crayfish. Clawed lobster fossils date back until at least the Cretaceous period, over 65 million years ago. Although their appearance is similar to scorpions, lobsters are not arachnids…they are arthropods, with ten legs total (the first three sets have claws, and the first of these are much bigger than the others). Lobsters are amongst the very few animals that show no detrimental effects of aging, continuing to grow and increase in fertility until an outside force (disease, predation, injury) causes death. Generally, lobsters are less than 20 inches long. The largest lobster was caught in Canada and weighed over 44 pounds.

Lobsters live in all oceans and may live as deep as 2000 fathoms, or 3700 meters. They are omnivores, preferring live fish, crustaceans and some plant life. In the wild lobsters have been known to scavenge, and have resorted to cannibalism in captivity where all other food sources are absent.

Lobster is an extremely popular and sought-after food. All commercial lobster are caught wild. While attempts to domesticate and farm lobster continue, none have been commercially successful. Lobster’s commercial popularity is relatively new, however. Prior to the mid-19th century in North America, lobster was considered a second-rate cuisine, fit only for the lowest members of society. Servants would specify that they “would not eat lobster more than twice a week” in their employment agreements. Well into the 20th century, lobster was used as fertilizer, fish bait, and a low-priced canned staple item, similar to tuna today.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Iguana Stuffed Hand Puppet

Another work of art from Folkmanis!

Our Stuffed Iquana Puppet

This iguana stuffed animal by Folkmanis is also a puppet. Although we draped it over our photo stand to show its whole length, it does have four legs! It looks just like a stuffed animal until you put your hand inside the fabric from the underside. You can make its mouth work by moving your hand. It's hard to see here, but the iguana has a hollow, forked fabric tongue, so you can use your finger to make it move. The front legs are also hollow. A grown-ups hand will be able to control both legs and the tongue at the same time. If you'd rather, you can put your fingers in the top part of the head and your thumb in the bottom jaw. Our stuffed iguana puppet measures 32 inches from nose to tail. The "scales," which are part of the fabric, are shiny and will shimmer in the light. The fringes are made of soft felt. An informational tag containing iguana facts is included. To find our other hand puppets in this line, or see our entire inventory of stuffed beanies, puppets and animals, check out our Stuffed Beanies and Plush Puppets Page and Stuffed Animals Page. Come look through our entire collection of iguana toys and gifts.

About Iguanas

The Green Iguana can grow to lengths of six feet from head to tail, and lives in Central and South America. Their color helps them hide in the trees undetected by predators while they eat flowers, fruits and leaves.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Crab

Useful as both toy and decoration!

Our Plastic Crab

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic crab replica is colorfully painted. It is soft and hollow and squeaks. The artist who designed this crab chose the shape of a dungeness crab, but chose a paint color which is typical of a cooked crab rather than a living one, which is generally dark purple/brown in color. This does not bother us since we enjoy cooked crab often here on the Oregon Coast. I hope this crab makes you hungry. Check out our other educational crab toys and gifts.

About Dungeness Crabs

The dungeness crab (Cancer magister) is a species of crab found along the Northern Pacific Coast. It is numerous and harvested in crab pots placed at shallow depths. Many coastal communities depend on crabbing as a main source of income for the fishing community. The Dungeness crab has five pairs of appendages including two large claws, which it uses as defense and to tear open food. The Dungeness crab is an excellent scavenger and feasts on clams, small fish and other small crabs. It is usually about 8-10 inches wide and is named after Dungeness, Washington which is near Port Angeles, Washington.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

*NEW* - Plastic Dinosaur 3D Puzzles!

The undisputed King of Predators...now as a 3D puzzle!

Our Tyrannosaurus 3D Puzzle

The details on this 3-D puzzle animal toy add another dimension, so you could say it is 4-D (3-D + details)! It is certainly one of the more detailed we have seen, making it an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for adults and children above the age of 3. This delightful dinosaur model measures 5 inches from nose to tail and 3.5 inches tall. It comes assembled. The pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble. When complete, this highly-detailed dinosaur stands nicely on its own for display on your shelf, TV, computer monitor, etc. Check out our other 3-D Puzzle Animals, as well as our other dinosaur toys.

About Tyrannosaurus

Dinosaurs represent the dominant terrestrial lifeforms on planet Earth for 135 million years, from the beginning of the Jurassic period through the end of the Cretaceous period approximately 65 million years ago. While no human ever lived during the age of dinosaurs, modern palentologists have learned much studying the fossilized remains of these magnificent creatures.

The Tyrannosaurus (meaning tyrant lizard) or T-rex appeared on the scene during the Late Cretaceous about 65 million years ago. Full skeletons have been found throughout North America in Alberta, Montana, South Dakota, Saskatchewan,and Wyoming, and some have been found in Mongolia as well. Some skeletons have been measured to 45 feet in length. It walked on two legs and had a huge skull and an enormous tail to help with balance. It had two small powerful clawed forearms. There is debate whether this carnivore was just a scavenger or a killer itself.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Field Mouse Finger Puppet

This little guy is life-size!!

Our Field Mouse

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

About Field Mice

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Woolly Mammoth

As soft and cuddly as he is unique!

Our Stuffed Woolly Mammoth

Our adorable and affectionate stuffed woolly mammoth is 16 inches long from trunk to tail and stands 10 1/2 inches tall. It has a soft brown furry body, red-brown mane on the top his head, long gentle white tusks and red-brown trunk. It is sewn of soft fabric. This woolly mammoth has a kind and gentle expression. It makes for a thoughtful child's toy or fits nicely in a stuffed animal collection or collection of extinct animals. See our other cool mammoth toys and gifts.

About Woolly Mammoths

The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) first roamed the earth 150,000 years ago. The mammoth migrated from Africa northward into Europe, east through the Steppes of Asia, and then into the Arctic. During the Pleistocene Era (Ice Age), when temperatures were so much colder, the woolly mammoth developed thick shaggy hair, special glands to secrete fat to insulate the skin from the cold, and smaller ears and special teeth to grind tundra. The woolly mammoth developed huge curved tusks up to 15 feet long to shovel snow in order to reach tundra and grass below. The woolly mammoth is the most common mammal fossil. Some have been found in Siberia almost completely intact including tissue remnants. It is breathtaking to see the mammoth's skeleton on display in the museum.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Opossum ('Possum) Mom and Baby Stuffed Animals

TWO stuffed animals for the price of ONE!!

Our Mom and Baby Stuffed Opossums

Our stuffed opossum (sometimes called 'possum) mom and baby are so realistic, you may surprise your friends or loved ones when they see this charming duo! Our opossums are approximately life-sized, which helps to give that illusion. The mother opossum is 11 inches long from nose to rump, and her bare fabric tail adds another 12 inches when you pull it out straight. The tail is made to curl, and will pop right back into position. Also looking extremely real, the baby opossum is stitched right onto her back. Real opossum babies ride on their mothers' backs at this age. The body of the baby is 5 1/2 inches right down to its stitched pink nose (not seen in this photo); its tail adds another 3 1/2 inches, and has a crinkly curl built into the end. The baby's fur is soft and fuzzy, and is shorter than Mom's fur, as it's still a very young animal. Mom's toes are stuffed fabric, while baby's toes are cut out of flat fabric. The ears of both opossums have soft fabric inside and out. As with all of Fiesta's toys, this plush toy opossum pair meets the most stringent current standards of safety for children's toys. All parts are non-toxic and surface washable. Check out our other opossum toys and gifts. To find our other stuffed toy animals from Fiesta, or see our entire inventory of stuffed animals, stuffed beanies and plush hand puppets, check out our Stuffed Animals Page.

About Opossums

 

The hang-tag on our stuffed opossum pair says, "The opossum hideouts are located in a variety of areas including stumps, haystacks, vine tangles, attics, garages, road culverts, hollow trees, rock piles, crannies, under buildings, and in the abandoned burrows of other animals. Opossums are not territorial and do not maintain separate home ranges. They are exceptionally non-aggressive and non-destructive. They will not harm people or pets. They are more immune to many diseases than the other animals and are far less likely to carry rabies. Opossums are beneficial to the environment because they eat insect pests, snails and slugs. They have a remarkable resistance to poisonous snakebite such as the rattlesnakes, cottonmouth, Russsell's viper and Asiatic cobra. Opossum do not hibernate, and they are active at night."

 

Here's some additional info: Didelphimorphia is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. They are commonly also called possums, though that term is also applied to some Australian animals. The Virginia Opossum is the original animal named opossum. The word comes from the Algonquian language. Opossums probably diverged from the basic South American marsupials in the late Cretaceous or early Paleocene. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet and reproductive characteristics make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions. Originally native to the eastern United States, the Virginia Opossum was intentionally introduced into the West during the Great Depression, probably as a source of food. Its range has been expanding steadily northwards, thanks in part to more plentiful, man-made sources of fresh water, increased shelter due to urban encroachment, and milder winters. Its range has extended into Ontario, Canada, and it has been found farther north than Toronto.

As with other small marsupials, the gestation period of an opossum is only about 12 to 14 days. The young are born at a very immature stage and must find their way into the mother's pouch. They live and feed inside her pouch until they are weaned at about 70 to 125 days. They cling to Mom's back until they are old enough to take care of themselves. Opossums are omnivorous, eating small animals such as insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small mammals, and earthworms. They eat carrion as well as garbage, but some of their favorite food is fruit. The most famous behavior of the opossum is "playing 'possum" when threatened or hurt. This is a completely involuntary response. The lips curl, the body stiffens, and a foul-smelling liquid is released, so a human or other animal might really believe the opossum is dead and leave it alone. It can even be picked up at this time and will resemble a dead animal. After a few minutes or hours, the opossum will again become animated and run away, hopefully having eluded the danger. Baby opossums will open their mouths, show their pointed teeth, and make a hissing noise if they feel threatened. Adult opossums do not hang from trees by their tails, but babies will sometimes hang from the mother's tail for a short time. An adult opossum will use its tail as a brace or an extra limb when climbing trees. They are usually solitary, will temporarily take over abandoned burrows, and prefer protection from the dark or dark areas, becoming active between dusk and dawn, and rarely coming into view during the day. Although many people consider opossums disgusting or a nuisance, they are essentially harmless, and many people find them very cute. They are extremely interesting small mammals.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Animal Carabiner Flashlights

Clip 'em to your gear to stay safe trick-or-treating!!

Our Carabiner Animal Flashlights

Our carabiner animal flashlights are the coolest way to make sure you always have a light nearby! Look at the tail, they simply open up to snap onto a key ring, backpack, belt, book bag, or anyplace else a person can hook something. The light is surprisingly bright for such a small item! Keep one next to your bed, by the back door, inside your car or on your bike. The light is bright enough to find things in the dark - such as finding the lock on your house or car door. Helps keep both kids and adults safe when unexpected scenarios come up. Just press the button on the critter's back, and you have light! Is there a better way to find the outhouse on a camping trip than to let our flashlight animals find the trail for you? Or what about lighting your way on Halloween? Fun for birthday parties, as stocking stuffers, or Hanukkah gifts for any age. Check out our other bird toys and gifts and our multi-style animal flashlights. The animal flashlights page also shows you what the lights look like when the light is on! If you have a teeeeeny little screwdriver, you can pop in a replacement battery. However, we've noticed that the lights last for quite a long time on the original battery.

About Keel-Billed Toucans

Toucans are brightly-colored birds with distinctively-large bills, primarily located in Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and southern Florida. Toucans are omnivores, feeding primarily on fruits, eggs, insects, and small birds and reptiles. Both the male and female share responsibilities in caring for their clutch of 2-4 eggs, taking turns seated on the clutch to incubate their young. The large bill (usually 1/3 of the bird’s total length) is made of spongy, hollow bone struts covered in keratin, a hard protein that also makes up hair and nails in mammals.

Also known as the sulfur-billed and rainbow-billed toucan, the keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is typically 12-22 inches long and weighs under a pound. Keel-billed toucans are found from southern Mexico to Venezuela and Columbia.

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Crocodile Stage Puppet

Wanna scare ol' Captain Hook? We've got'cha covered!!!

"Wavy," Our Crocodile Stage Puppet

Our stuffed crocodile stage puppet (or hand puppet) by Folkmanis is the same one you've seen on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" as host of the 1000th episode of the show. Wavy is extremely well made and features an easily animated mouth and operable arms. This puppet is very well made. Design details include soft sculpted plush with molded claws and teeth. Wavy's mouth is lots of fun to SNAP! The teeth are hollow soft plastic and do not have any sharp edges. The color of the body is a lusciuos dark green - very realistic for a crocodile, and beautiful to look at! A soft padded spine and soft pink felt inside Wavy's mouth make him extra fun to hold and use. The jaws have a flexible gentle stiffener inside so the mouth keeps its crocodilian look. The wavy jaws and shiny green eye make this puppet just the thing for your stage puppet play or for playing around with every day. Wavy the Crocodile Puppet could also make a wonderful item for show-and-tell to demonstrate crocodiles for your school project. What if you let WAVY talk to the class about crocodiles while you work his mouth and hands? What a fun production! Check out our other crocodile toys and gifts.

About Crocodiles

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

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This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Hippo Stage Puppet

Another wonderful stuffed puppet from Folkmanis!

Our Plush Hippo Stage Puppet

Our very cute and lovable plush hippo stage puppet is 19 inches long and is crafted with fine workmanship from Folkmanis. It is 7 inches tall and has a 3 inch tail. It is with incredibly soft fabric and has realistic features. Your hand goes inside the hippo puppet's chest and works the mouth, so it can stand on your arm or on a puppet stage. It has shiny black eyes, soft plastic non scratchy tusks, and its whiskers are made of tufts of soft dark gray thread. Our hippo hand puppet makes for an enjoyable toy or pet or educational toy or fits nicely into a hippo collection. This stuffed hippo hand puppet may work well for school projects. Be sure to see our other hippo toys and gifts.

About Hippos

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamidae) spends most of its life in the rivers and lakes of Africa. Hippopotamus babies are born and nursed in the water. Adult hippos are dangerous and often engage in vicious fights with each other. As hippo expert Hans Klingel once noted, "Few animals are as recognizable as the hippopotamus." Indeed, it is almost impossible to mistake a hippopotamus for anything else. The body is long, barrel-shaped, and very deep. (I always thought they were more potato-shaped.) The limbs are short and pillar-like, with four toes on each foot. The hippo's neck is short and quite thick in order to support the weight of the massive head. The ears are small and round, the eyes are bulbous and protruding, and the muzzle is broad and rounded. The hippo's mouth is especially large; in fact, the hippo can open its mouth wider than any other living animal except the whales. The upper and lower canine teeth - often referred to as tusks - are long, thick, and very sharp. The animal has no hair except for a few stiff bristles on its muzzle, ears, and stubby tail. The skin color ranges from slate gray to copper brown on the back to pinkish purple on the belly and around the ears and eyes.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Skunk

One word that does NOT describe this fuzzy guy is "Stinky"!!!

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.