Earlier this month I received my very first figurines from a new brand called Southlands Replicas. The brand was launched last year (2016) and is based in Australia. It has been sold by Australian webshop MiniZoo ever since their launce. With a small delay, their figurines are available for European customers at Spielzeug Günstig. Most of their figurines are sculpted by Jason Smit, who showed his sculpting skills on some models for Science & Nature earlier. Southlands Replicas will focus their figurines on animal species around and south of the equator.
Thylacine
Southlands Replicas has released two extinct species so far, being a thylacine and marsupial lion. I am a huge fan of thylacines, so I really felt like getting this guy. The last of these gorgeous creatures is said to have died in 1936, although they were declared extinct in 1986. Yet eyewitnesses have stated quite some sightings over the last 80 years.
This figurine seems to have quite an awkward head, but actually this is pretty realistic. The thylacine was able to open its jaws to an unusual extent, up to 80 degrees! I love how they processed this fact in this lovely figurine. This thylacine figurine is very detailed and good looking; I recommend it to everyone!
This figurine seems to have quite an awkward head, but actually this is pretty realistic. The thylacine was able to open its jaws to an unusual extent, up to 80 degrees! I love how they processed this fact in this lovely figurine. This thylacine figurine is very detailed and good looking; I recommend it to everyone!
Platypus
The platypus is such an extraordinary animal for the fact that it is an egg-laying mammal. How cool is that!? I love these strange creatures for being so different from other animal species. The nearest extant relative of the platypus is the echidna. The platypus is one of the few mammal species that are venomous; the male has spurs on his hind legs, which delivers venom.
This platypus figurine is probably the smallest I own (and maybe even the smallest that exists). Yet it is still very detailed. The tiny head looks up in the air, which is great for cute photo opportunities. Love it!
This platypus figurine is probably the smallest I own (and maybe even the smallest that exists). Yet it is still very detailed. The tiny head looks up in the air, which is great for cute photo opportunities. Love it!
Echidna
There are still four extant species of echidna (also known as spiny anteater), closest related to the platypus. Just as the platypus, the echidna is a egg-laying mammal. They eat ants and termites mostly, but they are not closely related to the true anteaters. The males have spurs on their hind legs, but in contrast to the platypus, echidna spurs are non-venomous.
We are definitely short on echidna figurines, and that is such a shame! The four different extant species have quite some differences, and I would love to see some different echidna species. The short-beaked echidna from Southlands Replicas is at this moment by far the best one ever made.
We are definitely short on echidna figurines, and that is such a shame! The four different extant species have quite some differences, and I would love to see some different echidna species. The short-beaked echidna from Southlands Replicas is at this moment by far the best one ever made.
Dingo
The dingo is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia. They are often a threat to livestock, but their diet of rabbits, kangaroos and rats can be seen benificial for farmers. Some see the introduction of the dingo as being responsible for thylacine extinction. Dingoes have a great role in Aboriginal culture, for their appearance in stories and rock carvings/paintings.
As a great lover of wolves/foxes/wild dogs, dingoes surely cannot be missed in my collection. There are far less figurines made than I would like to see, but the Soutlands Replicas dingo sure made a high standard for the other brands. Good to know: Southlands Replicas officially stated this gorgeous canid as male. Why call a figurine specifically male without making at least a female? Bring it on, Southlands!
As a great lover of wolves/foxes/wild dogs, dingoes surely cannot be missed in my collection. There are far less figurines made than I would like to see, but the Soutlands Replicas dingo sure made a high standard for the other brands. Good to know: Southlands Replicas officially stated this gorgeous canid as male. Why call a figurine specifically male without making at least a female? Bring it on, Southlands!
I am extremely positive about Southlands Replicas. I am definitely going to get me some more of their figurines, including the amazing Tasmanian devil. But I am sure looking forward to see any new releases as well! Australia and surroundings are home to such extreme and gorgeous creatures. I really hope they will make some birds and reptiles as well, though mammals are my main interest and I am sure they are able to make lots more different species. Go grab your own Southlands Replicas now!!!