Plastic Blue Shark

Another useful, detailed, and sturdy miniature from TPF!

Our Plastic Blue Shark Replica

Our plastic blue shark is a realistic-looking plastic animal replica. It is 3 inches long and is suitable for a science project, a toy, or fits nicely into an animal collection. See also our other toy and replica assorted shark species as well as all of our other shark models, toys, and gifts.

About Blue Sharks

Inhabiting the deep, warm waters of Earth's temperate and tropical oceans, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) feeds primarily on small fish and squid, and rarely attacks humans. Blue sharks can reach a length of 12.5 feet and can weigh as much as 205 pounds.

The blue shark is found worldwide and off the coasts of every continent except Antarctica, making it the most widely distributed animal in the world. Blue sharks often school, or collect and travel in groups, and have earned the name “wolves of the sea” by mariners watching packs of blue sharks tracking their ships.

While young blue sharks are often preyed upon by larger sharks, such as the great white and tiger, healthy adult blue sharks have only one consistent predator…humans. Blue sharks are the most heavily fished species of shark, with 10 to 20 million killed each year, primarily for their fins (for shark-fin soup), skin (for leather), and livers (for oil).

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 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.

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.

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 Tylosaurus Marine Dinosaur

"Jaws" wouldn't stand a chance...

Our Plastic Tylosaurus

Our plastic tylosaurus 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 tylosaurus 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 Tylosaurus

An early ancestor of snakes and monitor lizards, the tylosaurus was a mosasaur (a large, predatory marine lizard) of the late Cretaceous period. Tylosaurus proriger was nearly 50 feet long, and was among the largest of mosasaurs. It had an elongated snout that was probably for ramming and stunning prey. Tylosaurus was a ferocious predator, feeding on anything smaller than itself, including sharks, fish, and other marine reptiles.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Timberwolf

Why yes, Little Red Riding Hood...he's safe to pet...

Our Plastic Timberwolf

This engaging, realistic-looking plastic wolf miniature is made of durable plastic with good quality. This replica has detailed fur and an attractive realistic pose, its head down while it stalks its prey. This wolf replica makes for a nice pet, fits into a shoebox diorama, or serves as a great collectible. It is 3 3/4 inches long. Check out our other dog toys and gifts.

About Wolves

The most common type of wolf is the gray wolf, although it has been hunted to extinction in western Europe, Mexico, and the majority of the U.S. Wolves in general live up to 18 years. Of these, the European wolf is the largest, weighing up to 85 pounds.

Wolves are very skilled predators, and they are typically the highest creature in the food chain in the area that they live in. The only animals that pose any sort of significant threat to wolves are tigers and humans. They hunt ungulates, which are hoofed animals, for food. Genetic tests done on a multitude of wolves have proven that while there are many different wolves that have evolved into many different domestic dogs, the gray wolf specifically is the type that has contributed most to pet stores worldwide.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Smilodon Plastic Replica

We'd like to ROAR about our new extinct animal replicas!

Our NEW Smilodon Replica

Our small plastic Smilodon (saber-toothed cat) toy is just the right size replica for your animal life shoebox diorama. This Smilodon (saber-toothed cat) model will fit in a shoe box along with examples of other Pleistocene or Ice Age animals. Add a dire wolf, a mastadon or a giant sloth, 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 Smilodon or saber-toothed cat is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. Be sure to take a look at our other saber-toothed cats.

About Smilodons

The smilodon, or sabertooth cat (sometimes also called saber-tooth tiger), roamed parts of North and South America around the time of the last Ice Age. The most familiar is the Smilodon fatalis, of which many remains have been found in the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits. It became extinct about 11,000 years ago.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Andrewsarchus Plastic Toy

Part of terrific new line of prehistoric miniatures!

Our Plastic Andrewsarchus Miniature

Our small plastic Andrewsarchus toy is just the right size replica for your prehistoric life shoebox diorama. This little Andrewsarchus model will fit in a shoe box along with other examples of extinct animals from the Earth's past. Add a few 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 as it might have been millions of years ago. Our plastic toy Eocene mammal is painted to look the way paleontologists imagine the animal looked in real life, although of course nobody really knows. That's part of the fun and mystery – you can imagine Andrewsarchus any way you like! It is made of solid plastic and is quite durable. The name "Andrewsarchus" is molded onto the bottom of the animal. Be sure to take a look at our other prehistoric figurines.

About Andrewsarchus

To date the only fossil remains found of this amazing Eocene (55-37 MYA) hoofed predator are a skull and a few bone pieces. They were found in Mongolia in 1924 during an expedition led by paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, for whom the creature is named. After extensive study of the skull, it was concluded that this creature was a member of the only known group of carnivorus hoofed mammals called Mesonychids, which looked somewhat like wolves with hoofed toes. Mesonyx obtusidens, a small North American relative, was the model for current depictions of this predator. From the size of the skull (3 feet long), it was determined that Andrewsarchus was approximately 6 foot tall at the shoulder and 13-18 feet long (over twice the size of today's brown bear), making it the largest carnivous mammal in the world. There is a commentary on Andrewsarchus

on the Laelaps blog. For additional information, check out the Andrewsarchus page and the "What are Mesonychids?" page.

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Tiger Cub

Add this adorable plush tiger to your collection!

Our Plush 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.

Bear (Grizzly)

One of the largest predators in North America!

Our Grizzly Replica

Check out the realistic details of this hollow plastic bear. Come see our wonderful assortment of grizzly or brown bear toys and gifts.

About Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horriblis, which translated means horrible Northern bear) are actually one of two subspecies of Brown bear (Ursus arctos); the other is the Kodiak (Ursus arctos middendorffi). Grizzlies get their name from the "grizzled" appearance of their coat that is created by the white tips of the long guard hairs on their back and shoulders. Their coat color can vary from light cream to black, but is generally darkish brown. Highly intelligent creatures, grizzlies find food by employing complex problem solving skills. Although mature grizzlies are very large - females are 200 to 450 pounds, males are 300 to 850 pounds - at birth the cubs are about the size of a rat, weighing only about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. Factors leading to their endangered status include: destruction of habitat, accidental killing by hunters who mistake them for black bears, illegal killing (poaching), etc.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

American Bald Eagle

Nobility in miniature!

Our Plastic American Bald Eagle

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this american bald eagle measures 3 1/4 inches from beak to tail and is 2 3/8 inches tall. It stands balanced on its feet and tail. The word "EAGLE" is molded on the bottom. This sturdy, durable raptor is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a wonderful birds of prey shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come look through our entire collection of eagle toys and gifts.

About American Bald Eagles

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

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plush Baby Cheetah

Run fast and collect this little guy!

Our Adorable Stuffed Cheetah Baby

Our wonderfully lifelike stuffed baby cheetah by Hansa is a toy that looks amazingly like a real animal. The plush cheetah baby is 7 inches tall sitting up as you see it in this photo. Its cute wrap-around tail is just peeking out from behind the cheetah. Our lifelike Hansa cheetah is sewn with soft plush fabric made especially to match the markings of this animal. It has longer fur around the head and down the back in a small mane like a real cheetah with shorter hair on the face and body. The spots on the head, body, tail and legs are realistic with the "signature" black markings below the cheetah's eyes and around its muzzle. Attention to detail is important with all Hansa stuffed animals, and this cheetah toy is no exception. The long, thin, whiskers and with extra-soft plastic nose help anyone bond with this cute toy. The ears have a soft light peach-colored fabric inside. Our baby cheetah has a slighly puzzled curious look, as though it is learning to explore its world. It promises to snuggle next to you and be your friend. Our baby cheetah complements nicely any stuffed animal collection. Hansa toys are modeled after animals in real life, and they tend to keep the feel of an individual animal. This is one reason Hansa stuffed animals are so collectible. Kids love them and bond with them for years to come. I've known adults that "just have to" cuddle these adorable animals, too! Each piece is hand-stictched in the Philippines by crafters willing to produce a unique item each and every time. Check out our other cheetah toys and gifts or broaden your search to all of our cats. You can also read more about Hansa stuffed animals and see our selection.

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.

Plush Tiger Cub

Yeah, he's cute now...but wait 'til he grows up!!

Our Plush 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.

Polar Bear Miniature

Just LOOK at the details on this fantastic figurine!

Our Polar Bear Miniature

Our polar bear toy animal is made of hard plastic and measures 3 1/8 inches from nose to extended back foot. Its name is moulded into the underside. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic bear is for decoration or play only. You can make an awesome arctic or bears of the world shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come look through our entire collection of polar bear toys and gifts.

About Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) live in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia, mainly within the Arctic Circle. They are adapted for living on ice and snow, and have evolved to fill a small niche in the ecosystem. The polar bear's diet consists mainly of seals. There has been a lot in the news lately about the plight of polar bears due to the thinning ice in their Arctic home. The IUCN now lists global warming as the most significant threat to the polar bear, primarily because the melting of its sea ice habitat reduces its ability to find sufficient food. Polar bears are the world's largest carnivore species found on land. They are also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak bear, which is about the same size.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

American Bald Eagle

Happy Independence Day from TPF!!!

Our Plastic American Bald Eagle

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this american bald eagle measures 3 1/4 inches from beak to tail and is 2 3/8 inches tall. It stands balanced on its feet and tail. The word "EAGLE" is molded on the bottom. This sturdy, durable raptor is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a wonderful birds of prey shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Come look through our entire collection of eagle toys and gifts.

About American Bald Eagles

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

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Great White Shark

Feel like going swimming?

Our Plastic Great White Shark

This playful plastic great white shark is made hollow plastic and is 9 inches long. This replica has a detailed face and body with a shark-like smile. It has yellow eyes and a squeaker in its throat and may float and it squirks water. It makes for a nice pet, bath toy, and fits into a shark collection or serves as a great gag and is fun for all kinds of games. It promises not to bite, although because it is hollow, this shark is quite popular for use with grenadine for "Shark Attack" drinks in summer! Check out our other shark toys and gifts.

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.

Stuffed Hyena

One of the most unique stuffed animals you'll find!

Our Plush Hyena

Our stuffed hyena is lifelike and sturdy. Hansa prides itself on making lifelike animals of near-custom quality and design. The materials are made to order for small-run series of your favorite animals. Our stuffed spotted hyena measures 14 inches from nose to rump and stands 8 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder. Its nose is made of moulded hard plastic and looks very real. The eyelids are also made of plastic, giving a lifelike aspect to the face. See our other hyena toys and gifts as well as our collection of Hansa stuffed animals.

About Hyenas

One might think that hyenas are related to dogs, but they are actually in a separate biological family most closely related to meerkats and mongooses. Hyenas have among the strongest jaws in the animal world. According to Wikipedia, "The Spotted Hyena, or Laughing Hyena, (Crocuta crocuta) is a mammal of the order Carnivora. They are moderately large, terrestrial carnivores native to Africa. They are best known for a chirping, birdlike bark that resembles the sound of hysterical human laughter. Though often labeled incorrectly as a scavenger, the spotted hyena is actually a powerful hunter, the majority of its nourishment being derived from live prey. Spotted hyenas are the most common predator in sub-saharan Africa, living in savannah, dry woodland and desert habitats."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Velociraptor

One of my son's favorite dinosaurs!

Our Plastic Velociraptor

Remember the scary (and fast!) velociraptors in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park"? Bring a slice of the movie home to your own house, school, or dinosaur collection. Made of hard plastic, this fierce-looking velociraptor will add color and flash to your diorama, school project, or collection. This dinosaur is part of Safari, Ltd's famous museum-quality "Carnegie Collection" of prehistoric life. Its details are great for teaching youngsters about extinct animals or just for your own enjoyment. Priced affordably, the velociraptor can also be used as a toy, novelty, party or theme decor, etc. It measures 7 1/4 inches from teeth to tail.

About the Velociraptors

The velociraptor, or "speedy raider," lived in the Cretaceous period in what is now Mongolia. It was a two-legged, feathered carnivore with a long, stiffened tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped claw on each hindfoot, which is thought to have been used to kill its prey. The velociraptor was popularized in the movie Jurassic Park, but it was made much larger and without feathers. The velociraptor was really only the size of a turkey, but nontheless ferocious.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.