Toy aardvarks? Yes, we have them!

Believe it or not, this hollow plastic aardvark is only one of THREE plasic aardvark toys we carry in our online store. We also have a stuffed aardvark by Hansa. Come on over and take a look!

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!

Ty Beanie Babies

We have lots and lots of Ty Beanie Babies in excellent condition, many with perfect tags, and tags in plastic holders. But we choose them because we like the way they look and for their appeal and cleanliness. Some are without tags or with bent tags. We're not collectors, we are animal lovers. These Beanie Babies just don't lose their appeal, so many children born after the collection craze still love these cuddly stuffed animals "just for themselves." Our latest purchase is not online yet. Sometimes we do get the rarer ones by chance. If you are looking for something special, give us a call at (888) 325-3179. We charge the same for all beanie babies. We don't charge extra for "collectability." Get a stuffed animal toy to love, whether it's for a collection or not!

We also have a few Beanie Buddies, a number of Teenie Beanie Babies, and a few Attic Treasures.

Wof cub stuffed toy

This adorable wolf cub in our online store will make a great friend for any child or animal-loving adult! Our engaging, realistic-looking stuffed wolf is soft and affectionate-looking. Its legs are made of plush hair and are sewn together to replicate a lying position. The body and head is light gray and light tan with black around the muzzle and ears of the wolf's head. Our wolf is probably a cub. He has a kindly expression and promises not to bite. He makes a nice pet, a gift, or fits perfectly into a stuffed animal collection. Check out our other wolf toys and gifts.

Our beautiful stuffed toy wolf appears to depict a young gray wolf (Canis lupus), which is also known as a timber wolf. The adult is the largest wolf, about 3 feet in length and weighing about 100 pounds. It once roamed freely throughout North America and Euroasia, but hunting and habitat destruction has taken a significant toll on the wolf population. Great efforts have been undertaken to reintroduce the wolf to areas of the Northwest and Idaho with cooperation ofranchers, who see the wolf as a threat to livestock, especially sheep. The wolf is incredibly adaptable to climate and terrain and can travel long distances. It can withstand frigid temperatures and can be found in snowy mountains, high deserts and plains. Its claws and padded feet are designed with special webbing for hanging on to slippery surfaces. Wolves have bulky coats consisting of two layers. The first layer is made up of tough guard hairs designed to repel water and dirt. The second is a dense, water-resistant undercoat that insulates. The wolf is a special animal to be appreciated by all. It has been valued by native people in their art and religion.

Animal jewelry made of colorful, durable, light-weight aluminum

This blue siamang is only one of a page-full of colorful, unique animal jewelry made for Tapir and Friends Animal Store by artist and exquisite colorist Corinna Bechko. She is also a zookeeper; she cares for them, studies them, and contributes to their conservation. What could be better? You get a unique holiday gift to give to a loved one, and the animals benefit, too.

These animals come in a wide range of colors. Add an artistic bead to the earrings and pendants, and you come up with a combination all your own. Corinna's bead collection seems almost endless! Just name a color and let her make the perfect match for your jewelry!

We have primates, tapirs, a wolf, a toucan, a warthog, and many more. Come take a look!

Extinct carnivore, Andrewsarchus - Hoofed Ice Age predator as big as two bears!

Ice Age animals and other extinct animals are always popular gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah. Everyone seems fascinated by these animals that we can only know about through fossils. As humans, we love to discover what we can about the unknown, and extinct animals continue to attract the attention of each new generation.

To date the only fossil remains found of this amazing ice age 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 video link and some very interesting discussion on Andrewsarchus on the Laelaps blog. For additional information, check out the Andrewsarchus page and the "What are Mesonychids?" page at Bluelion.org.

Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic toy animals, this Andrewsarchus's superior design and details make it a museum-quality replica or collector's item, and yet the price puts it in range for the average collector of plastic animals. It measures 4 1/2 inches from the pointy teeth to the curve of the tail and stands 1 7/8 inches tall. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. This sturdy, durable prehistoric predator is also excellent for school projects, novelties, party favors or even as a children's toy. You can make a marvelous Ice Age shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Come see our other ice age predator toys and gifts.

Snowy Owl Stuffed Plush Toy

Our Snowy Owl

Our stuffed snowy owl is from the Cuddlekins series by Wild Republic. As with all of Wild Republic's toys, this plush toy owl meets the most stringent current standards of safety for children's toys. All parts are non-toxic and surface washable. The owl sits nicely on any surface and is 11 inches tall in a sitting position. It's very soft and has big, friendly yellow and black eyes. The wings can be spread out from the body and also have a very soft pettable surface. Stitching on the tops of the wings (not visible in the photo) make it appear as though they have flight feathers. Although this is not a Harry Potter official owl, it is the same type of owl as Hedwig and will charm anyone who loves the Harry Potter stories as well as anyone who simply likes owls, birds, or animals! Check out our other owl toys and gifts.

About Snowy Owls

The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is found in the north in polar regions but migrates South in the Winter. It feeds primarily on lemmings and other small rodents and needs to eat 7-10 of them during the day to survive. Snowy Owls, like many other birds, swallow their small prey whole. Strong stomach juices digest the flesh and the indigestible bones, teeth, fur, and feathers are compacted into oval pellets that the bird regurgitates 18 to 24 hours after feeding. Regurgitation often takes place at regular perches, where dozens of pellets may be found. Biologists frequently examine these pellets to determine the quantity and types of prey the birds have eaten.

Sifaka lemur stuffed animal

Our cute and very cuddly stuffed sifaka lemur is in stock and ready to ship! What a great holiday gift for a lemur lover or anyone who likes animals.

Lemurs (Lemuridae) are "prosimians." They are primates, but are not as highly evolved as monkeys or great apes. One easily recognizable feature that differs between the lemurs and other primates is the long, almost dog-like nose of the lemurs. Whereas the other primates rely more heavily on vision and hearing, lemurs rely more on their sense of smell. There are 11 species of true lemurs and 7 species of dwarf lemurs. Lemurs are found only in the woodlands on the island of Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands near Madagascar. The lemur is known for its long tail, which it holds up like a question mark when it walks or runs upon the ground. The markings on our stuffed lemur most closely match the Verreaux's Sifaka Lemur (Propithecus verreauxi).

Our exceptionally soft, cuddly stuffed sifaka lemur toy animal by Fiesta measures 9 1/2 inches long. The eyes, ears, 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 Animals Page and Stuffed Beanies and Plush Puppets Page. Come look through our entire collection of lemur toys and gifts.

Dinosaur skeleton (or fossil) plastic model

We still have dinosaur bone models in stock and ready for shipping! These cool toys will spark up the shelves of any dino fan's room or study area.

Our Stegosaurus Skeleton Model

This realistic-looking stegosaurus skeleton model is made of strong plastic and is sturdy when assembled. It is 9 1/4 inches long and 4 inches tall. There are about 10 separate pieces, some large, with easy to follow assembly instructions and a diagram. The bones look weathered and connect with one another through pegs or joint sockets. Although most pieces hold together well, it may help to use a little super glue. This miniature stegosaurus skeleton replica makes a nice display, a gift, or toy for children or adults and could work well for school show-and-tell or as a school science project. Check out our other dinosaur model toys and gifts.

About the 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.

Stuffed great white shark

This is the larger of our two delightfully ferocious stuffed great white sharks. Come on over and take a look!

Goofy gorilla eyeglass holder Peeper Keepers

Do you know any gorilla fans? Give them our goofy gorilla eyeglass holders! Seriously, it may bethe last year we can get these wonderful animal eyeglass holders. Many of the animals we have in stock are selling out, and they are being discontinued by the manufacturer!

Some animals have disappeared from our inventory already. You can still get this nice gorilla. It makes a unique gift and is a great way to keep those items you tend to misplace . . . like your glasses!

Cool moose peeper keepers!

We still have a few moose peeper keepers in stock as I post this. Come on over and check them out at Tapir and Friends Animal Store, right here on the Internet! We ship around the world. The moose comes with detachable antlers, but you'll have to supply the glasses yourself. As you can see, our moose doesn't care if the eyeglasses are sedate and demure or color-crazy shades. He comes without glasses and is eager to try yours on for size. Check out our other animal types, too!

Animal finger puppets from Folkmanis

This season we think you're going to enjoy giving our Folkmanis animal finger puppets as gifts and for stocking stuffers. These adorable, friendly-looking puppets are like mini stuffed animals, but there's a place inside for your finger. You can make up plays and stories or just entertain little ones or let them entertain each other with these wonderful little animals. They're priced nicely for this economy, too! Above is our hedgehog puppet.

Here is one of our Folkmanis guinea pig finger puppets.

We even have a monarch butterfly that fits on your finger and flaps when you move it! The body is plush, and the wings are of a diaphanous fabric with thin plastic design elements. Come on over and check out our Folkmanis animal finger puppets!

Plastic/rubber goldfish used in Premier Medical Plaza children's waiting room

If you're a child, one of the most uncomfortable things can be waiting to see a doctor. At least it was for me, growing up. Barbour Spangle Design has just finished making the children's waiting room at Premier Medical Plaza in Highpoint, North Carolina, a lot more fun and interesting. Take a look at the design they made with the help of our plastic goldfish! Thanks for sending the link, Amber!

Dragon jewelry (hand-painted)

Do you know anyone who would like a beautiful piece of dragon jewelry for a Christmas or Hanukkah, a birthday or any other gift. Maybe you like dragons yourself? This could be a great gift for a fantasy fan or a D&D fan. Our hand-made and hand-painted dragon jewelry is made in the USA in very limited quantities. The finish is durable, the colors are bright, and the design is almost unique. In other words, you will not find this piece at your local big box store!

Skye Terrier dog pin (jewelry)

This hand-cast and hand-painted Skye Terrier Dog pin can be found on our web site along with numerous other dog species. This hand-cast, hand-painted jewelry is made in the USA, and is so unusual you can't find it at your corner jeweler's or your local big box store. It is special. Because of its uniqueness and its quality, it makes a wonderful holiday gift for just under $30.00. Although we haven't noted this on each page of our web site yet, check the drop-down box for mailing options. An all-jewelry order can be shipped for just $5.00, no matter how many pieces you're shipping to the same address.

Camel figurine, plastic

This toy camel is a favorite, especially around Christmas time. Are you making a Christmas manger scene? Need plastic animals for the season?

The Bactrian (two-humped) camel lives in the cold, mountain and hight desert climates of Central Asia. It was domesticated over 4,500 years ago in an area called Bactria, near present-day Iran. The Bactrian's humps are filled with fat, not water, which is used to nourish the camel when there is little food or water. The Bactrian camel can go without water for long periods, drinking and storing up to 18 gallons (68 liters) at a time. The Bactrian camel can grow up to 11 feet long and 7 feet tall (at the shoulder) and weight up to 2,000 pounds. Although there are over 2 million domesticated Bactrian camels, the wild Bactrian camel is one of the world's rarest mammals. It is considered critically endangered with less than 1,000 remaining in the wild.This plastic Bactrian camel looks even better than in the photo. Lines of the hair are moulded into the plastic, and details include moulded and painted foot pads! Made of solid plastic, it is sturdy and durable. The word "CAMEL" is embossed on the underside. The length of 4 1/2 inches is measured from the nose to the bend in the tail. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. Made by Safari, Ltd., it is striking in form and detail, and will make a great addition to your collection. It is priced right for animal collectors, school projects, dioramas, and even for use as a children's toy.

Serval cat stuffed animal

Wouldn't this regal-looking stuffed serval cat make a great gift for a cat-loving friend or relative?

Our Serval

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed, plush serval is soft and cuddly and made by Fiesta. It is 13 inches tall and 13 inches long. It is made of soft synthetic fur has a white chest light yellow-brown body with black spots and a black, ringed tail. It has a delicate plastic pink nose and loving plastic eyes and sits patiently on its haunches for a hug. It is an adorable plush animal replica and works wonders as a stuffed animal for a child or servil or cat collector. See our other serval and cheetah toys and gifts.

About Servals

The serval (Leptailurus servalare) is a medium-sized African cat. It shares common traits with the cheetah and is related to the golden cat and the caracal. It is about 40 inches long with an approximate 16 inch-long tail. It lives in the savannah where it hunts mainly small rodents. It has a life expectancy of about 15 years and isn't endangered but with habitat destruction is threatened.

Camel for your Christmas decorating

Are you decorating for Christmas? This small plastic camel could be just the thing for a manger scene, for table decor, or even for decorating the top of a December birthday cake!

The Bactrian (two-humped) camel lives in the cold, mountain and hight desert climates of Central Asia. It was domesticated over 4,500 years ago in an area called Bactria, near present-day Iran. The Bactrian's humps are filled with fat, not water, which is used to nourish the camel when there is little food or water. The Bactrian camel can go without water for long periods, drinking and storing up to 18 gallons (68 liters) at a time. The Bactrian camel can grow up to 11 feet long and 7 feet tall (at the shoulder) and weight up to 2,000 pounds. Although there are over 2 million domesticated Bactrian camels, the wild Bactrian camel is one of the world's rarest mammals. It is considered critically endangered with less that 1,000 remaining in the wild.

NOTE: This camel sold out today. We do have a larger camel for Christmas, also wonderful :)

Hippo plastic replica

Hippos are among the world's favorite animals, and we have a terrific realistic plastic hippo for you. He'd make a great gift for friends and relatives, too. What a about the toy animal collector in your life?

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

Our plastic hippopotamus looks even better than in the photo. Made of solid plastic by Safari, Ltd., one of the best names in plastic animals, its superior design and details make it a museum-quality replica or collector's item, and yet the price puts it in range for the average collector of plastic animals. This sturdy, durable hippo is also excellent for use in school projects, dioramas, or even as a children's toy. The word "HIPPOPOTAMUS" is embossed on the underside. It comes with an informational tag in French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English.

Wrinkly stuffed walrus

Check out our new wrinkly stuffed walrus! This walrus is super soft and cuddly, and wants to be your new best pal!

Our Stuffed Walrus

Our stuffed walrus is especially soft, squishy, and cuddly. He has lots of wrinkles, just like a real walrus. It's one of the "Natural Poses" series by Wild Republic, a brand you know and trust as always maintining the highest standards of toy safety in today's world. All parts of this toy walrus are non-toxic and surface washable. He's not only cuddly, he's also colletible. Check out our other walrus toys and gifts.

About Walruses

The two subspecies of walrus, the Pacific, which is the largest, and the Atlantic live in the Northern Hemisphere in the arctic and subarctic regions. The tusks, which give the walrus its distinctive appearance, are found on both the male (bull) and female (cow). Cows weigh up to 2,800 pounds and reach up to 10 feet long. Bulls are much larger at up to 4,000 pounds and up to 12 feet long. Like sea lions, walruses are able to rotate their rear flippers under pelvis and pivot their front flippers to the side, giving them the abililty to walk and climb. These semi-aquatic mammals have a thick layer of fat beneath their tough leathery skin, which is covered by a thin layer of light brown hair. In warm weather, tiny blood vessels in the skin dilate, increasing circulation, which sheds excess body heat. This causes the skin to turn pink.

The hang tag on our stuffed walrus says, "Hello! I am a walrus. I'm a BIG guy - I'm more than 10 feet long and can weigh up to 2 tons. Aren't my tusks awesome? They are actually giant teeth. Although I live in the Arctic, I have a thick layer of fat called blubber that keeps me warm in the coldest weather. I can walk on all four of my fins and can even run as fast as you! Wanna race?"