Stuffed Krill Plush Toy

One of our more unsusual and cute stuffed replicas!!

Our Stuffed Krill Replica

This unusual-looking stuffed krill is soft, cuddly, and easy to hold. The legs are short, flexible, and are made of soft light pink, plush fabric. The body is bright pink and the head is covered with ribbed, silver-colored cloth with pink fur gills on each side. Two large black eyes, lots of antennae and a green thorax round out this lovely sea creature. Our krill has a kindly expression and wants to be your friend. This krill makes a nice pet or gift. Check out our other shrimp, lobster and krill toys and gifts.

About Krill

The krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that make up a vital part in the food chain. It is a small animal and varies in size from 1 to 4 inches. It is eaten by large mammals such as baleen whales and seals, by fish, and sea birds. Krill are the favored died of the blue whale, the largest aimals on earth. A blue whale can eat up to six million krill per day! Krill can be found in all the oceans and are near the surface at night and at greater depths by day. The name krill comes from Norwegian meaning small fry of fish.

There are many species of krill found throughout the world's oceans, but the most well-known krill is the Antarctic Krill or Euphausia superba. It can form large, dense swarms that attract whales, seals, penguins, squid, and predatory fish. By biomass, krill are perhaps the most successful multicellular animals in the world.

Krill are a type of plankton (actually zooplankton or "animal drifter"). Krill will eat even small zooplankton, but they prefer to dine on phytoplankton ("plant drifter") - and it is the abundance of this plant-life in their bellies that accounts for the green splotch visible through their transparent skin.

Although the international community outlawed the hunting of blue whales in 1966, many countries continue to harvest krill! Much of what is harvested becomes aquarium fish food, bait, or food for aquaculture fishes. But some is also used for human consumption. Krill have an intense, shrimp-like taste and are very salty. They are generally served minced or as a paste. However, because their exoskeletons contain a toxic fluoride, krill need to be processed immediately after harvesting. Otherwise, even little krill can kill.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Holstein Cow 3D Puzzle

One of dozens of cool 3D puzzles in stock now!

Our 3D Cow 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 Holstein Cows

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Alligator

You can get a LOAD of these on the cheap! Come see how!

Our Plastic Alligator

This solid plastic alligator is five inches long from snout to tail. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift.

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.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout Toy

PERFECT for the fishing cabin!

Our Stuffed Rainbow Trout

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

About Rainbow Trout

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

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Great White Shark

Take this guy with you for a dip in the pool...or the bathtub!

Our Plastic Great White Shark

This engaging-looking plastic Great White Shark replica is made of flexible plastic. It is 9 inches long, partially hollow and it has a squeaker, but does not squirt. It floats on its side. The color is semi-gloss gray and white and has a red detailed mouth with distinct teeth. Our great white shark miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite, if you trust it! This great white replica makes an interesting pet, gag or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project. Check out our other great white shark toys and gifts.

About Great White Sharks

The great white shark Carcharodon carcharias can be found is usually about 9 feet in length, but adults may be as much as 16 feet. They weigh around 2,000 pounds. It lives near the surface in warmer waters of the Pacific, the Caribbean, and along the coast of Africa. Some sharks follow the migration of sea lions, which they find a most tasty prey. The great white has a large conical-shaped snout, agray dorsal fin and a mottled white underside. Great white sharks, like many other sharks, have rows of teeth behind the main ones, allowing any that break off to be rapidly replaced. A great white shark's teeth are serrated and when the shark bites it will shake its head side to side and the teeth will act as a saw and tear off large chunks of flesh. Great whites often swallow their own broken off teeth along with chunks of their prey's flesh.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Bed Bug

You'll wanna snuggle up to THIS little guy!

Our Stuffed 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.

Warthog Jewelry

Whatever your personal totem, we have the bling for you!

Our Aluminum Warthog Jewelry

Any item can be ordered in a variety of colors. These delightful warthogs are 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 warthog itself comes in a variety of colors as listed in the drop-down menu above. The shiny eye is the core color of the aluminum Corinna uses. 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.

This jewelry is sturdy and light weight, and measure over 1.25 inches from nose to tail. The pendants hang on a 17-inch black silk cord (included). You color choice can be made up quickly - probably in only a few days.

About Warthogs

Famous for the large warts on their face (very prominent on males), the warthog is one of the smallest species of pig, length--3 to 4.9 feet, height--30 inches at the shoulder, weight--110 to 330 pounds. Their heads, however, are proportionately much larger than other pigs, 1/6 of the length of their body. Warthogs are gray to brown in color with stiff bristles sparsely scattered over their bodies. Down the center of their back is a long mane of hair. They have a tuft of bristles on the end of their long tail that is ideal for flicking away flies, but can be held straight up when alarmed. Their legs are longer than most pigs enabling them to run up to 30 miles per hour, yet they have to kneel to graze. Warthogs have 2 sets of tusks. A long, curved set grows from their upper jaw and a small razor-sharp set grows from their lower jaw. Acute hearing and a good sense of smell help to offset the warthog's poor eyesite. There are actually two species of warthog, the common warthog and the desert warthog. Like camels and desert gazelles, they can live in areas without water for several months, the only pigs able to do so. Be sure to look over our other pig family toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Crocodile or Alligator Flashlight

Another in our new line of these useful and cute flashlights!

Our Animal Carabiner 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 flashlight! 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 reptile 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 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.

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic German Shepherd

A handsome replica of a noble breed.

Our Plastic German Shepherd Replica

Our small plastic German shepherd toy is just the right size replica for your animal life shoebox diorama. This German shepherd model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of domestic life in the city or country. Add a bird, cat, farm animals, or plants; create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination, and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy German shepherd is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other domestic dogs.

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.

Stuffed Green Anole Lizard

How many can say they have THIS in their collection!?!

Our Stuffed Green Anole Lizard

Our cuddly stuffed green anole lizard toy by Fiesta measures 19 1/2 inches from nose to tail. This sleek, soft reptile has beans in its belly. The eyes, dewlap, legs and tail are securely attached making this charming stuffed animal a suitable toy for all ages. 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 Animal Page and Stuffed Beanies and Plush Puppets Page. Check out our terrific selection of lizard toys and gifts.

About Green Anole Lizards

"Anole" lizards refer to members of the family Polychrotidae. 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 it's 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 Koala

Cute, but check out those CLAWS!!!

Our Plastic Koala Replica

Our small plastic koala toy is just the right size replica for your Australian animal life shoebox diorama. This small, tree-climbing koala model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of animals from Australia. Add a kangaroo, wombat, Tasmanian devil, or emu; create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination, and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy koala is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other koalas.

About Koalas

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is not a bear, but a marsupial, found only in Australia. It lives exclusively in trees and is a herbivore. It looks a little like a wombat, but is a tree dweller. It has long sharp claws adapted for climbing and weighs 11 to 30 lbs. A baby koala is referred to as a joey and is hairless, blind, and earless. At birth the joey, only a quarter of an inch long, crawls into the downward-facing pouch on the mother's belly (which is closed by a drawstring-like muscle that the mother can tighten at will) and attaches itself to one of the two teats.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Cheetah Cub

You'll have to run pretty quick to catch this little guy!!

Our Stuffed Cheetah Cub

We think this plush stuffed cheetah is exceptional. It is so lifelike and compelling, you almost won't believe its a stuffed toy and not the real thing. Although its made of synthetic materials, it looks real. Note the tufts of fur on the back of the neck and on the head, as well as the delicate curly whiskers made of fine, clear filament. Each piece is hand-cut and stitched. The height (12 1/2 inches) is measured to the top of the head.

About Cheetahs

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large feline predator native to Africa and the Middle East. Best known for being the fastest living animal on Earth, an adult cheetah can accelerate from zero to over 60 mph in three seconds, and can maintain a speed of 70-75 mph for bursts of just over 500 yards. A not so well-known fact is that cheetahs are the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads, and because of this, cheetahs cannot climb vertical tree trunks the way other cats can.

Cheetahs hunt during the day (usually in the early morning or early evening, when it's cooler), and hunt by sight rather than scent. The incredible speed of a cheetah means that a chase is over very quickly...either the cheetah succeeds, or it burns up its energy reserve and cannot continue the chase. The sacrifice of that speed is physical strength, which means cheetahs cannot defend their kills against larger predators. As such, a successful cheetah will consume as much of it's kill as it can immediately following the chase, then abandon the kill when other predators arrive.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Palo de Sangre Tapirs from Colombia

Own a unique piece of cultural art!!

Our Carved Palo de Sangre Animal Figurines

Palo de sangre is the Spanish name for this rich, red wood which is popular for making cultural handcrafts and art in South America. The English translation is "bloodwood." It is the heartwood of the trees Brosimum paraense and Brosimum rubescens. The sapwood is yellowish-white. According to Wikipedia, "Palo de sangre has a fine texture and takes a high polish. The wood is very hard and has a tendency to blunt tools. The wood is used in decorative woodworking and woodturning. The Nature Conservancy considers this tree secure within its native range." Other sources give additional names: muirapiranga, satiné rubane, cacique, and cardinalwood (due to its red color). It keeps its color, and does not turn brown with age like some highly colored woods. See our full selection of bloodwood ("palo de sangre") hand-carved animals from Colombia.

Palo de sangre is carved into wonderfully attractive and charming animal figures in Colombia and other regions of tropical America. The bright red color is a natural property of the wood, as is the highly finished shine on the surface (evidenced by the reflected light in the photo). These animals are not varnished, stained, or painted, but come to you in their spectacular natural finish. Fortunately, the artisans who carve them are not restricted by any means or conventions to a particular template, so you get the benefit of each individual's vision and creativity. The wood also varies somewhat from one carving to the next as far as natural color, grain, and markings. Although the individual item is different from all others, the motifs are repeated. For example, crocodiles and manatees are more common; and tapirs are less common. We may be able to get several tapirs this month and none next month, for example. Or we may be able to get small otters one month and only large otters the next. We decided to show you each and every animal we have available, and you can order by the number. You will receive the exact item you see on the web site. The only order option for quantity is one per item, as no two are alike. These carved wood animals are imported to the US by the Tapir Preservation Fund. Your purchase helps support conservation of tapirs and their habitat.

Tapirs of Colombia

Colombia is the only country that is home to more than two species of tapir. Three distinct species and one subspecies inhabit the country. Mountain tapirs live in one chain of the Andes mountains, lowland tapirs live in much of the jungle (eastern) area of Colombia, and a very few Baird's tapirs live in the far north near the Isthmus of Panama. There is also a subspecies of lowland tapir called the Colombian tapir living in an isolated area called Santa Marta. Colombia is still a frontier for tapir discoveries. The Colombian tapir, a subset of the lowland tapir, was believed by some to be a distinct subspecies, but it was only clearly distinguished as such in the past few years. Some people believe that Baird's tapir, which can be found in a small pocket in the north of Colombia also ranges down the dense, barely-accessible western coast. There have been reports of sightings or tracks of Baird's tapir in the west, but no definitive evidence has been brought to light. We hope that Baird's tapir will someday be identified for certain as living along Colombia's west coast.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Great White Shark Flashlight

The latest in our new line of carabiner flashlights!!

Our Animal Carabiner Flashlighhts

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 flashlight! 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 shark 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 Great White Sharks

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) can be found near the surface in warmer waters of the Pacific, the Caribbean, and along the coast of Africa. Great whites usually about 9 feet in length, but adults may be as much as 16 feet. They weigh around 2,000 pounds. Some sharks follow the migration of sea lions, which they find a most tasty prey. The great white has a large conical-shaped snout, a gray dorsal fin and a mottled white underside. Great white sharks, like many other sharks, have rows of teeth behind the main ones, allowing any that break off to be rapidly replaced. A great white shark's teeth are serrated and when the shark bites it will shake its head side to side and the teeth will act as a saw and tear off large chunks of flesh. Great whites often swallow their own broken off teeth along with chunks of their prey's flesh.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

T-Rex Dinosaur Flashlight

As useful as he is cute!!

Our Animal Carabiner 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 flashlight! 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 dinosaur 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 the T-rex

The Tyrannosaurus or T-rex meaning tyrant lizard appeared on the scene during the Late Cretaceous about 65 million years ago. Although full skeletons have been found throughout North America in Alberta, Montana, South Dakota, Saskatchewan,and Wyoming, 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 Rainbow Trout Toy

We've got them back at TPF!!

Our Stuffed Trout Toy

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

About Rainbow Trout

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

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Micropachycephalosaurus

You can say that again!!

Our Plastic Micropachycephalosaurus Skeleton Replica

Our small plastic micropachycephalosaurus bones toy is just the right size replica for a shoebox diorama. This micropachycephalosaurus skeleton model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of skeletons of prehistoric animals you might find in a museum. Create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination. Have them lie in the mud and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy micropachycephalosaurus skeleton is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaur skeletons.

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.

Stuffed Chinchilla

One of TPF's cutest and most unique plush animals!

Our Stuffed Chinchilla

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

About Chinchillas

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Tyrannosaurus Dinosaur Bones Replica

The Tyrant Lizard...after a SERIOUS diet!!

Our T-Rex Skeleton Replica

Our small plastic tyrannosaurus bones toy is just the right size replica for a shoebox diorama. This tyrannosaurus skeleton model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of skeletons of prehistoric animals you might find in a museum. Create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination. Have them lie in the mud and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy tyrannosaurus skeleton is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaur skeletons.

About the T-rex

The Tyrannosaurus or T-rex meaning tyrant lizard appeared on the scene during the Late Cretaceous about 65 million years ago. Although full skeletons have been found throughout North America in Alberta, Montana, South Dakota, Saskatchewan,and Wyoming, 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. It is the largest animal known to have walked the earth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Bed Bug

Just look at those eyes! Who WOULDN'T want to cuddle up to him!?!

Our Stuffed 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 Pteranodon Dinosaur Bones Replica

Some diets just work TOO well!!

Our Plastic Pteranodon Skeleton Replica

Our small plastic pteranodon bones toy is just the right size replica for a shoebox diorama. This pteranodon skeleton model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of skeletons of prehistoric animals you might find in a museum. Create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination. Have them lie in the mud and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy pteranodon skeleton is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaur skeletons.

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 Hissing Cockroach

Suppose they'll still be here after 12/21???

Our Plastic 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.

Stuffed Woolly Mammoth Mother

A dream for both a hairstylist and a dentist!!

Our Stuffed Mammoth Mother

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

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

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

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

 

About Woolly Mammoths

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

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

 

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Tiger Cub

Awww! They're so CUTE at this age!!

Our Stuffed Tiger Cub

We think this plush stuffed tiger cub is exceptional. It is so lifelike and compelling, you almost won't believe its a stuffed toy and not the real thing. Although its made of synthetic materials, it looks real. Note the tufts of fur at the ears, the beautiful piercing gaze, and the delicate curly whiskers made of fine, clear filament. Each piece is hand-cut and stitched. The height (12 1/4 inches) is measured to the top of the head. Read more about Hansa stuffed animals and see our interesting selection, and come look through our entire collection of tiger toys and gifts.

About Siberian tigers

Also known as the Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is a subspecies of tiger found in the Russian far east. This subspecies represents one of the largest cats to have ever lived on Earth, with an average male body length of over six feet and a typical male weight of 475 pounds. Siberian tigers are distinquished from other large felids by an unusually large and heavily-reinforced skull. Primary prey for the Siberian tiger include deer, wild pigs, and a small proportion of moose.

In 2005, there was a breeding population of about 250 Amur tigers in the Russian far east, with an overall population of less than 400 and declining. Intense conservation efforts to preserve the Siberian tiger have been underway for more than 15 years.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Stegosaurus Dinosaur Bones Replica

Come see our new line of fossil skeleton replicas at TPF!!!

Our Plastic Stegosaurus Fossil Skeletons

Our small plastic stegosaurus bones toy is just the right size replica for a shoebox diorama. This stegosaurus skeleton model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of skeletons of prehistoric animals you might find in a museum. Create a landscape with rocks, plants, grass, make a river or stream from anything that strikes your imagination. Have them lie in the mud and there you go - a scene of life on our planet. Our plastic toy stegosaurus skeleton is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaur skeletons.

About Stegosaurus

"Stegosaurus" meaning roof lizard, is an armour-plated dinosaur from the late Jurassic Period characterized by large spikes along its back. It was an herbivore that used its spikes for protection against predators. Stegosaurus had a distinctive and unusual posture, with a heavily arched back, short forelimbs, head held low to the ground and a stiffened tail held high in the air. It was thirty feet long and fourteen feet tall. Many skeletal remains have been found in Wyoming.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Hammerhead Shark Replica

So what'choo lookin' at?!?

Our Plastic Hammerhead Shark Replica

Our highly-realistic plastic scalloped hammerhead shark toy makes a terrific model for teaching your children, grandchildren, or students about the wonders of nature, sharks, and the undersea world of ocean animals. Our plastic toy hammerhead shark is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other shark toys and gifts.

About Hammerhead Sharks

Sharks (Chondrichthyes) are versatile and keen-sensed fish, which is why they have been around for more than 100 million years. With it's thick, wide, rectangular-shaped head and eyes placed up to 3 feet apart, the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) is the most unique looking of all sharks. The head shape and size provides them with superior vision, makes their senses more acute than other sharks and improves maneuverability. Hammerheads average up to 11 feet long and over 500 pounds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sea Turtle Keychains from Guatemala

An awesomely cool bit of animal bling!

Our Beaded 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.

Stuffed Aardvark Toy

Look who's back at TPF!!!

Our Stuffed Aardvark

Our wonderfully realistic-looking stuffed aardvark by Hansa is a toy that looks amazingly like a real animal. The plush aardvark is 12 1/2 inches from nose to rump. Its tail adds another 10 inches to its length, and the pink fabric-covered tongue is posable and holds its position when you move it. The tongue is about 1 1/2 inches long. It is sewn with soft plush fabric with extra-soft white tufts around the eyes, ears, and chin. There are four toes on each front foot and five toes on each back foot. This is a good thing, because aardvarks are known for digging! It has gentle hard plastic eyes (black pupils with a ring of gold for the iris) pinkish brown inside the ears. Our stuffed aardvark replica has a kindly expression and promises to snuggle next to you. This aardvark makes a wonderful gift for stuffed animal lovers and complements nicely any stuffed animal collection. The fabric is produced in small batches and is chosen especially for this animal. Each piece is hand-stictched in the Philippines by crafters willing to produce a unique item each and every time. Check out our other aardvark toys and gifts.

Read more about Hansa stuffed animals and see our selection.

About Aardvarks

Aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) are African mammals of a medium size that are most active at night and are good at burrowing into the earth. Their name, "aardvark," comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch language and means "earth pig." This unusual-looking animal has many names locally, including "antbear" or "anteater," although it is not a close relative of the anteaters of South America. Neither is it closely related to a pig, but is somewhat isolated taxonomically and is the only member of the order Tubulidentata. It is not a true edetate, although we've listed it with our edentates on the web site so that people could find it. As odd as it sounds, the aardvark is most closely related to elephant shrews, hyraxes, tenrecs and elephants. If we had put the aardvark in our elephant category, would you have found it? It's a strange thought!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Rhomaleosaurus Marine Dinosaur

Feel like going swimming? Me neither.

Our Plastic Rhomaleosaurus Replica

Our plastic rhomaleosaurus marine dinosaur looks as scary as any sea monster you can imagine, but we promise, it won't bite! Look at the beautiful, realistic detail! Of course, this extinct Cretaceous predator was never seen by humans, so it is painted the way paleontologists think its coloring might have looked. Our plastic toy rhomaleosaurus is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaurs as well as prehistoric animals and humans from many ages of Earth's history.

About Rhomaleosaurus

Cruising the English coastline more than 175 million years ago, the Rhomaleosaurus (Rhomaleosaurus cramptoni) was a large marine reptile of the Mesozoic era. This amazing predator was believed to be over 20 feet long and fed on ichthyosaurs, ammonites, and other plesiosaurs. The first fossils were unearthed in an Alum quarry near Whitby, England in 1848. Rhomaleosaurus was later given its scientific name by Harry Seeley (a British paleontologist) in 1874.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Cryolophosaurus Dinosaur

Thank you...thank you very much!

Our Plastic Cryolophosaurus

Our plastic cryolophosaurus white dinosaur is also known as the "white" dinosaur because it roamed the Antarctic. Look at the beautiful, realistic detail! Of course, this extinct Jurassic predator was never seen by humans, so it is painted the way paleontologists think its coloring might have looked. Our plastic toy cryolophosaurus is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other dinosaurs as well as prehistoric animals and humans from many ages of Earth's history.

About Cryolophosaurus

Best known for its distinctive head crest, the cryolophosaurus was a carnivorous theropod dinosaur of the early Jurassic period. Fossils of this dinosaur were first discovered by paleonotologist Dr. William Hammer in 1991 in the Hanson Formation of Antarctica. Cryolophosaurus was informally known as “Elvisaurus”, due to its head crest’s resemblance to the famous singer’s pompadour hair style. Cryolophosaurus was believed to be about 21 feet long and weighed over 1,000 pounds.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Blue Starfish

An excellent addition to any oceanic diorama!

Our Plastic Blue Starfish

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic starfish is both solid and has flexible rays. The body and underside has well-defined detail. It is 2 inches wide. It makes for a nice pet, gift, or is perfect for a school project or in a diorama. Check out our other starfish toys and gifts.

About Blue Starfish

The blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) is a common shallow water starfish. It is found mainly on reefs in the Pacific. It is gets its blue color from a blue pigment called linckiacyanin and some accessory yellow carotenoids.The blue starfish is a nocturnal scavenger and feeds primarily on algae. It produces saponin which is a chemical defense against predatory fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Paraceratherium Small Plastic Replica

Big-Big-BIG brother to the Rhino!

Our Plastic Paraceratherium

Our plastic paraceratherium toy is just the right size replica for a larger "shoebox" diorama. This paraceratherium model will fit in a box along with examples of life from the Oligocene Epoch. Add other toothless animals, "edentates" such as early armadillos, sloths,and anteaters, Add some early forms of horse, rhinoceros, or camel, for a scene of how life appeared in this ancient epoch. Create a landscape with rocks, plants, volcanos, trees, or anything that strikes your imagination, and there you go - a scene of early life on our planet. Our plastic toy paraceratherium is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other Oligocene animals.

About Paraceratheriums

Paraceratherium is an extinct genus of hornless rhinoceros-like mammals that lived 23 to 34 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. Paraceratherium is the largest land mammal, and among the biggest terrestrial animals, to ever walk the Earth, the largest example of which stood 16 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed 18 tons. By comparison, the largest living terrestrial mammal, the African elephant, stand 10 – 13 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 5 – 7 tons. Paraceratherium was a herbivore, stripping leaves from trees with tusk-like upper teeth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.