Spotted Seal for a School Project

Spotted Seal

Some of our biggest customers are kids, their parents, and grandparents, looking for realistic lifelike small plastic animals for shoebox dioramas or other representations of their chosen animal for a school project. Just the other day this spotted seal along with its "mate" and a small spotted seal representing their pup, flew off in the mail to become part of a school project. We love helping out like this! Come visit our spotted seals and the many other small plastic animal figurines suited for shoebox dioramas!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Goldfish School?

Last week, while visiting an apartment rented to a Hispanic family in Redmond, Oregon, I spied a bowl of goldfish sitting on a table. In my broken Spanish I asked the residents' 6 year girl about her pets and she proceeded to reply in words that were incomprehensible to me. However her smile told me that she loved watching her fish and clearly took care of them well.  As an owner of two aquariums, one fresh water and one saltwater, I understood her pleasure. Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a large selection of plastic fish, especially plastic goldfish of various sizes. for many uses such as science projects, as collectibles, and as party favors. However, they are not useful for making sushi!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

How Much Wood would a ...........

Since it is February and it is snowing here like crazy, it is clear our stuffed groundhog friend here did not see his shadow. A groundhog is often called a marmot or a woodchuck. In any case this furry rodent is one of the many fine examples to be found in the gift shop at Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Soft Play Posable Octopus Available in Limited Quantity!

ONLY A FEW LEFT IN STOCK!

Our VERY popular posable plastic/rubbery octopus is back in stock, but not for long! Once they are gone, there will be no more until summer. They go out fast enough that we know we're going to be clean out and beseiged with requests that we can't fill for several months. It's not fun, but that's the way it goes. If you want your floating, foam-filled, realistic, floppy, fun, latex-covered octopus with posable tentacles, I suggest you order now!

Another name for this octopus is BENTACLES, because the tentacles bend and stay positioned where you put them.

Our Soft Play Latex Octopus

This realistic-looking plastic-coated soft play octopus is a terrific replica. It is 21 inches long, but will stretch out to 26 inches when you pull on the partially posable tentacles. It is also 6 inches tall. Our octopus replica has a hard latex coating and a soft inner body possibly made of foam. It is an excellent toy for children because it is light weight and durable. It serves as an educational toy for a science project or as a gag or unusual gift. Check out our other octopi toys and gifts.

About Octopi

Octopi are cephalopods that can be found in rocky areas especially among coral reefs in the oceans throughout the world. The octopus has 8 arms which trail behind it when it swims. It is considered to be the most intelligent animal of all invertabrates. It emits a cloud of inky substance as a defense against predators as well as possessing a venomous bite. Most octopuses have a short life span of no longer than six months.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Orange Rubber (Plastic) Octopus Back in Stock

Our popular flexible 5 1/2-inch rubbery plastic octopus is back in stock and ready to travel!

This bright orange octopus is made of soft plastic and is slightly squeezable. This plastic octopus is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic octopus is for decoration or play only and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make a wonderful sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop.

Check out our terrific selection of octopus toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Necklace Sea Star

This necklace starfish has many uses.  It can not only be used by children as a toy or in a school project, its beautiful details make it great as a decoration on a cake!

Starfish are not really fish. They are spiny invertebrates called echinoderms. Other echinoderms are sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers. To avoid confusion, biologist prefer to call them "sea stars".

Our Necklace Sea Star will add a colorful splash to your sea-life diorama or school project. You'll find it useful for undersea dioramas, school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic sea star is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make an awesome sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop. There is no mess, no feeding, and no tank cleaning :)

The underside of our 2 1/4-inch plastic sea star is white and has grooves and canals like a real starfish. It's name is printed on the underside. Come see our wonderful assortment of sea star toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Helmet Crab

Check out this wonderful, detailed, colorful crustacean!

Our helmet crab is made of hard plastic and measures 2 3/8 inches from side to side and 1 5/8 inches from front to back. Its name is moulded into the underside. This plastic crustacean is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift. Our helmet crab toy is for decoration or play only. It does not float, and should NOT be put in your aquarium. However, you can make an interesting sea-life or aquarium shoebox diorama using this and other plastic aquatic creatures and mammals, sharks, fish, sea turtles, birds, and decor from our gift shop. There is no mess, no feeding, and no tank cleaning :) Come see our wonderful assortment of crab toys and gifts.

Although there are over 50 crab families and 1000s of species, all crabs have basically the same body plan: four pairs of walking legs and one pair of claws (also called nippers or pincers). Their shell is actually their skeleton, called an exoskeleton, and protects their thorax, gills and the internal organs of the head. Like the octopus and sea star, if a crab loses a limb it will regenerate (grow back).

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Toucan

Check out this adorable, detailed plastic toucan.

This is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals, or in this case, plastic birds. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Grab Your Trunk and Come For a Visit

Today Tapirgal is going to the zoo to see the animals, especially the tapirs. However it is hard to imagine a trip without visiting the elephants as well. There is much controversy about whether any zoo enclosure is appropriate for elephants, in light of the fact that elephants need such a large range to feel "at home." This can be said of lots of animals, including tapirs and most cats. Zookeepers are sensitive to observing animals who show signs of stress, but stress occurs in the wild as well, where animals must constantly be in search of food and water, be wary of predators, and face constant attack from insects.

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a wonderful selection of plastic elephants which are suitable for science projects, as collectibles and as party favors. Drop in and see our online zoo.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Great White Shark

Check out this amazing great white shark perfect as a gift for a shark lover or as a party favor!

The great white shark is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. Great white sharks are well know for their size and have been know to exceed 20 feet in length and 5,000 lb in weight.  It reaches maturity at around 15 years of age and can have a life span of over 30 years.  Great white sharks live in almost all coastal and offshore waters which have water temperature between 12 and 24 °C (54 and 75 °F).

Great white sharks are carnivorous, and prey upon fish, seals, sea otters, and seabirds to name a few.  They have also been known to eat objects that they are unable to digest.  These sharks prefer prey with a high content of energy-rich fat like seals.  Great white sharks' reputation as ferocious predators is well-earned. They like to ambush their prey taking them by suprise from below.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Spotted Eagle Ray is Back!

Our wonderfully detailed spotted eagle ray is back in stock!

This spotted eagle ray is perfect for a school project or just fun to have as a toy or collectable!

This beautiful chocolate and gold plastic spotted eagle ray will make a fun addition to your collection of aquatic animals. You'll appreciate its realistic details. Our plastic (vinyl) ray measures 4 inches in each direction - from nose to tail and also across the wings. As you can see in our photos, the underside is detailed with a mouth and gills, and the words "SPOTTED EAGLE RAY" are moulded into the body. Each sturdy vinyl stingray comes with an informational tag in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Come look through our entire collection of ray toys and gifts.

The spotted eagle ray can be found in coastal waters of most temperate and equatorial continents and around some island. I was fortunate enough to see one while snorkeling off the coast of Belize in February 2005. While sting rays tend to be shy of snorkelers and swimmers, people should be aware that their tail contains venom that is poisonous to humans. For more complete information and some interesting photos, see the Florida Museum of Natural History's web page on the spotted eagle ray. If you scroll down the page, you'll see one with ringed spots similar to the one in our gift shop.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Louse (Lice)

Check out this unique stuffed louse!

Our Stuffed Louse Toy

This engaging, realistic-looking stuffed louse is soft and floppy. It is made of durable soft plush. The legs and antennae are made of plush fabric. Our louse is gentle and loving and promises not to bite. Check out our other lice toys and gifts.

About Lice

The word louse, singular for lice, is a common term for a large number of different kind of lice. Different kinds of lice are found on a myriad of host animals, including humans. Lice are so differentiated that various body parts have their own kind of lice. Humans are afflicted primarily by head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus), which live in clothing, and others, which live in body hair. The louse looks like a small flat ant. It feeds on skin debris and sucks blood. It produces eggs called nits which attach to the host's hair. The louse is an irritant for many animals, especially birds and monkeys. Much itching and scratching are the result of bothersome lice. Many animals get help from other animals to pick them off. Humans can treat head lice by cutting hair shorter, combing with a stiff comb and by shampooing with various special conditioners.

The Tag on Our Stuffed Louse Says:

FACTS: Lice infestations are one of the most common communicable conditions suffered by children. Nevertheless, as unsanitary conditions are sometimes believed to promote lice, their appearance can quickly put sufferers (not to mention parents and school administrators) in a very hairy situation!

In fact, head lice are generally indifferent to environmental conditions beyond their natural territory, namely the scalp. (Most lice can't even survive for more than a day or so away from the heat of the body.) In addition, lice can't fly orjump, so transmission most commonly occurs through direct bodily contact or through sharing of personal items such as combs, hats, sweaters, and towels.

Still, close quarters can certainly contribute to the spread of lice. In the World War I trenches, lice was rampant and soldiers cropped their hair short to try to avoid the "cooties" (a term thought to derive from the Malay word kutu, or biting parasite - though how the word traveled to the trenches is unknown.)

If you do discover a lice infestation, there are special shampoos, and even chemical treatments, that can be used to address it. Specialty fine-tooth combs can also help pick lice and nits (or lice eggs) from hair. Finally, bedding and clothes should be well cleaned - and perhaps even discarded. Worth remembering if you're feeling lousy!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Grizzly Bear

This grizzly bear would be great for a school diorama on the Alaskan wilderness!

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.

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

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Flying Mallard Duck

Our flying mallard duck is the perfect addition to any bird or duck collection!

This flying mallard duck is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals, or in this case, plastic birds. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift. The duck's feet are tucked up and trailing behind him as if in flight. Just so you know, he does not stand up.

This duck is available for bulk pricing.  If you are interested in ordering a large quantity please either call us at (503) 338-8646 or email us at tapir@tapirback.com.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Meerkats Set

This adorable group of meerkats is perfect as a toy or for a school project!

Check out the details of these wonderful meerkats (Suricata suricatta) by Safari Ltd. Superior design and details make these museum-quality replicas or collector's items, and yet the price puts them in range for the average collector.They can also be used as a toys. These meerkats are very sturdy and made of solid plastic. Note the realistically textured bodies. An information card is included with your purchase. This plastic meerkat is great for school projects, toys, novelties, party favors and more. You can make an interesting African 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 :) Be sure to look over our other meerkat toys and gifts.

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.

Meerkats are diurnal, which means they are active during the day. They have an average life span of 12-14 years. Meerkat populations move whenever their food supply becomes depleted. Being omnivores, meerkats eat both plants and animals. Meerkats can even eat scorpions because they are immune to their venom. However, the most significant characteristic of meerkats is their altruistic behavior. They are one of the few mammal species that significantly cooperates and coordinates activities with each other. Meerkat mothers are given an opportunity to go out to feed themselves while their young are watched by other meerkats. In fact, some meerkats spend all or part of their lives helping others raise their young rather than breeding themselves.

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Detailed Plastic Elephant

This elephant is the perfect size for a school project and is very detailed!

This small elephant toy is made of solid white plastic. Colors are painted on. The detail is nice for such a small item. Come see our wonderful assortment of African elephant toys and gifts.

Until recently, it was believed that there were only two species of elephant - African and Asian (Elephas maximus). However, in 2004, DNA evidence proved that there are actually two true species of African elephant - African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). African savannah elephants are the largest elephant, African forest elephants are slightly smaller and Asian elephants are the smallest elephant. African elephants have larger ears than the Asian elephant. In the African species, both the male and female elephants have large visible tusks. In the Asian species only the males have large visible tusks. The females have small tusks called tushes that are not usually visible. African elephants only have one dome on the top of their head, and the flat forehead is slightly sloped. The Asian elephant has two distinct domes at the top of its head. There is a projection on the end of the elephant's trunk that is referred to as a "finger." African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk, and will use a grasping motion when picking things up. (This is much like the way we use our thumb and forefinger.) The Asian elephant has only one "finger," so it has to curl the end of its trunk around anything it wants to pick up. All three elephant species are endangered because of poachers who hunt them for their tusks.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Mandrill (Baboon)

Check out the color on this wonderfully detailed mandrill.

It's made of solid plastic with the colors painted on. Be sure to look over our other baboon and mandrill toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Moose

This cute plastic moose is perfect for school dioramas!

Although moose vary in size and shape, they are the largest members of the deer family. Males weigh on average over 550kg (1200 lbs) and females often more than 400kg. Newborn calves weigh around 15kg but quickly increase in size. Their color varies from a little brown to a dusty black depending on the season and age of the animal. Young calves are often a light rusty colour. The moose has a long nose, drooping lip, hump at the shoulders and small tail. The flap of skin that hangs beneath the throat is called a BELL. The correct name for female moose is a COW, the male is called a BULL and the young moose is called a CALF. Mothers are extremely aggressive, probably due to the scarcity of food in the winter, their greatest threat to survival.

This nicely-detailed moose toy animal is made of solid white plastic with the colors painted on. It measures 2 inches nose to rump and stands 1 3/4 inches to the top of the antlers. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic herbivore is for decoration or play only. You can make a marvelous deer 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 :) Be sure to look over our other moose toys and gifts.

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Tapir Plush Toy

Our wonderful stuffed tapir by Hansa is back in the store and ready to ship!

Our stuffed tapir from Hansa is hand-made in the Philippines and is based on the look of a real animal. This tapir is special! Not only are toy tapirs as rare and endangered as their real-life counterparts, but this one embodies Hansa's dependable quality construction and lifelike appearance. Hansa creates each animal with great care from the drawing board to the last stitch. The animals are hand made, the fabrics designed and purchased in small quantities to suit each design. The dark fur is a chocolate brown; the light fur is white. Yanisa's eyes have a plastic lid over them, giving them character and appeal. We have to tell you that the tail is white, not dark as in a real tapir but we hope her shining personality makes up for this.

Our Stuffed Tapir

We've named our tapir "Yanisa," after the half-Thai daughter of a Russian tapir fan and corespondent. The name sounds beautiful, but it also means "Wisdom" in the Thai language. One of our favorite tapir quotes comes from Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, who, after describing in the book Travelers' Tales Thailand, said: "Many years earlier, a traveler in Burma had described the tapir as 'an enigma,' a survivor of a 'more gentle and legendary time . . . wandering in unique isolation in a world not yet mature enough for its wisdom.'" So, what better name could we choose for this beautiful tapir?

This tapir's feet are quite realistic with a lifelike soft hoof on each of the toes. In addition, it is one of the few tapir toys we've seen that has the correct number of digits per foot! Yanisa has four toes on each front foot, and three on each back foot. You have to look carefully to see that fourth toe, but it is there! Look at the pleasing face and "signature" long tapirlike nose. Our stuffed tapir stands 7 1/2 inches tall and measures 13 1/2 inches long. Check out our other tapir toys and gifts. Read more about real tapirs on our Tapir Gallery web site. You can also contribute to their conservation through Club Tapir. Your Club Tapir donation does not have to be processed separately, but can be added to your shopping cart! Your purchase helps save endangered animals!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

100 Iguana Puppets Ready to Travel

January 14, 2010

One hundred stuffed iguana hand puppets (see below) are literally on their way out the door. We offer a variety of purchase options. May of our customers only need one item, be it large or small, and we're happy to accommodate. We do it every day. Others are looking for a multiple of one animal (often we are the only source for this option), and others want to put together a set or collection of their own choosing (one of this, two of that, three of this, one of this, etc.). We are happy to put these orders together for you!

Still others are looking for bulk quantity and wholesale pricing. We can do this, too. Price depends on the item and how we obtain it. Sometimes we can give true wholesale pricing, and sometimes we cannot, but we will do our best to work with you to get the items you need.

For questions on orders large or small, send e-mail or call us at (888) 325-3179 in the U.S. or from around the world: (503) 338-8646.

It's been pouring here in Astoria for at least three days (the entire winter has been wet, I'm only talking about the last time we saw the sun). Do you think the iguanas will mind the weather?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.