Stuffed Duck-billed Platypus Toy

One of our most popular items is BACK!

Our Stuffed Platypus

We love this plush stuffed platypus! Look at its amazing toes. They're well-defined, yet soft. All four feet are wide and webbed. The feet are made of plush fabric and the claws won't scratch. The 18-inch length includes the tail. Our platypus is solid, substantial, and fun to hold. As you would imagine, his brown fur is soft and cuddly. To find more animals in this line, or see a list of our entire inventory of stuffed animals, beanies and puppets, check out our Stuffed Animal Page.

About Platypuses

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal found in Australia. Related to the echidna, it is the only mammal which lays eggs. It has duck's bill, a bever's tail and an otter's foot. On the hind legs there are spurs which can give aterrific venomous bite. Platypus , which means "flat foot" is protected from hunting and is a national symbol of Australia. It is covered with thick brown fur. The platypus feeds by sensing the muscle contractions of its prey, namely worms and crayfish. It can also walk on land and lives in burrows when the water level is low, where its is vulnerable to foxes.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Red Panda

Nope...NOT a bear!

Our Plastic Red Panda Replica

Our small plastic red panda toy is just the right size replica for your animal life shoebox diorama. This small, red panda model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of life from China or the Himalayas. Add a snow leopard or a giant panda, 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 red panda is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other red pandas.

About Red Pandas

Native to China and the Eastern Himalayans, the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a relative of North American raccoons, skunks and weasels. This solitary animal is most active at night, feeding on bamboo, eggs, insects, birds, and small mammals. It’s about the size of a domestic housecat.

The red panda is listed a Vulnerable, with less than 10,000 mature individuals alive worldwide. Local laws protect the red panda from hunting, but the primary threat to the species comes from habitat destruction.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Banded Palm Civet

I'd not even heard of a civet before coming to work at TPF!!

Our Banded Palm Civet

Our banded palm civet is made of hard plastic and measures 2 3/4 inches from nose to tail and stands approximately 3/4 inches high. This plastic civet cat is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic banded palm civet is for decoration or play only. You can make an awesome civet family shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Check out our terrific selection of civet toys.

About Civets

The civet family (Viverridae) includes binturongs, civet cats, falanoucs, fossas, genet cats, linsangs, mongooses and meerkats (which are actually a type of mongoose). They are related to the cat family but are not actually cats. They do have a cat-like body, but with shorter legs and a longer tail. Their face resembles that of a weasel. These mostly nocturnal (active at night) mammals are native to Asia (including Indonesia and the Philippines), Africa (including Madagascar) and southern Europe. Some species are terrestrial (ground dwellers), but most are arboreal (tree dwellers); some are carnivores (eat only meat) and others are omnivores (eat fruits and vegetables as well as meat). Civet cats have scent-producing glands that secrete a musky-smelling substance which is used as a perfume fixative.

The banded palm civet is a nocturnal, solitary, terrestrial carnivore that lives in the tall forests of Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Ferret

You can still hunt in parts of the country with the help of this creature!

Our Plastic Toy Ferret

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic ferret miniature is made of somewhat flexible plastic. This replica has detailed fur and is painted brown and wearing a red kerchief. If I were this ferret, I might chew it off! This ferret makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. Check out our other ferret toys and gifts.

About Ferrets

The ferret is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal similar to weasels and are closely related to the polecat. They are energetic creatures that love to pack and hide items, play hide and seek, and chasing games. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur, have an average length of approximately 20 inches, including a 5 inch tail, weigh about 1.5–4 pounds, and have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. They were originally used by the Romans for rabbit hunting and get their name meaning "little thief" from them. Ferrets are crepuscular and sleep often during the day and night in 6 hours intervals. When awake they have abundant energy and are noted for a type of sidewards hopping known as a ferret "war dance." This is often accompanied by a playful, clucking noise which is an invitation to play. Ferret kits are noted for nipping, but generally well-trained ferrets are safe pets, and are also somewhat easily housebroken.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Skunk

Nothing this cute could be named "le Pew"!

Our Plush Striped Skunk

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

About Striped Skunks

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Going to bat for bats!

Yesterday I had hoped to see some big-eared bats when I hiked into Pictograph Cave near Bend, Oregon, but unfortunately the best or the worst I found was a prodigious amount of old bat guano. Big-eared bats are classified as vesper bats, common bats, or evening bats. They are insectivores and rely on echolocation by shouting through their open mouth to create an ultrasound beam. Large ears help pick up the returning vibration.
Bats are in the small order Chiroptera, which include flying mammals. What is remarkable is that it is the only mammal which, by its webbed wings, is actually capable of flight.

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a wide selection of miscellaneous animals for sale including bats. As Halloween approaches, perhaps you or a friend may want to wear a pair of bat earrings, a pin or necklace to the party. I can't promise they'll help you fly, but you will look superb.

by Lee

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Hand-painted hedgehog jewelry

Isn't this little pin adorable? It's originally cast in pewter and hand painted in the US. It can be used as a pin or tie tack, and has two stick-pins on the back with pinch clasps. You can order it painted or in various metal finishes. Please come see this hedgehog and our other incredible painted animal jewelry designs in Tapir and Friends Wildlife World Online. I'll be featuring these and other cool animal jewelry on this blog. We have SO so many unique, gorgeous pieces.

It's going to take some time to get them all online (and probably re-design the animal jewelry portion of the web site), so I'll continue featuring some of them here as I take their photos. If you don't see the animal you want, please ask! New painted animal jewelry designs are being made every day! You can also call us (West Coast time in the US) at: (503) 325-3179. Talk to you soon!

Sheryl