Steve's Herpetological Blog

An insight into the life of Steve, his research and the many books he reads

#ToyTuesday

#ToyTuesday: Mojo Fun Amphibians and Reptiles Part I

There has been some time since the last #ToyTuesday, so it is about time I made up for it. I am still planning some videos in the near future, so keep an eye out for these on social media and my YouTube channel. This time I am bringing you some models from Mojo Fun, which is known for creating detailed and lifelike toy models that capture the wonder of the natural world, including a captivating collection of amphibians and reptiles. I have split their current line-up into two, focusing on the smaller of these in this post. These figurines showcase a variety of species, from vibrant tree frogs to coiled snakes, lizards, and crocodiles, each crafted with a focus on realism and educational value. Designed to inspire curiosity and learning, Mojo Fun’s amphibian and reptile figurines are ideal for both imaginative play and classroom settings, offering children and collectors alike a closer look at these fascinating cold-blooded creatures.

Galápagos Giant Tortoise

The Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is one of the most iconic and remarkable reptiles on Earth, renowned for its immense size, long lifespan, and unique evolutionary history. Native to the Galápagos Islands, this species played a key role in shaping Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution due to its distinct variations across different islands. These tortoises can live well over 100 years and weigh up to 220 kg (500 lbs), slowly roaming the volcanic landscapes in search of vegetation. Their massive domed shells and gentle nature make them a symbol of conservation, as they were once driven to near extinction by overhunting and habitat disruption. Today, ongoing efforts are helping to restore their populations, making the Galápagos giant tortoise a powerful emblem of resilience and the importance of protecting our planet’s biodiversity.

Red-eyed Tree Frog

The red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is a striking amphibian native to the rainforests of Central America. Known for its vivid green body, blue and yellow striped sides, and bright red eyes, this nocturnal frog uses its bold colouration as a defence mechanism, startling predators when suddenly exposed. It is an excellent climber, using its sticky toe pads to navigate the dense foliage of tropical trees. Despite its intimidating appearance, the red-eyed tree frog is harmless and primarily feeds on insects. It thrives in humid environments near water, where it lays its eggs on leaves overhanging ponds, allowing the tadpoles to drop into the water upon hatching. This figurine is not as life-like as the one produced by Toymany, but the colour mask is realistic. Additionally, the gloss finish helps to give the illusion of moist skin.

Sonoran Coral Snake

The Sonoran coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus), also known as the Western coral snake, is a small but strikingly colourful venomous snake found in the deserts and arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. With its vivid bands of red, yellow, and black, it closely resembles other coral snakes and is often confused with non-venomous mimics like the kingsnake. Despite its potent neurotoxic venom, the Sonoran coral snake is reclusive and rarely poses a threat to humans, preferring to stay hidden under rocks, leaf litter, or within burrows. When threatened, it may perform a dramatic display by curling its tail and lifting it into the air while hiding its head. Nocturnal and secretive, this elusive snake plays a unique role in the desert ecosystem and adds to the rich biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert. This danger noodle is one that you may very well want to add to your collection, given its distinctive banding.

Spectacled Cobra

The spectacled cobra (Naja naja), one of the most iconic and revered snakes in the Indian subcontinent (being one of the Big Four), is easily recognised by the distinctive hood it flares when threatened and the striking spectacle-shaped marking on the back of its hood. A member of the Elapidae family, this venomous snake plays a significant role in both the ecosystem and cultural traditions of South Asia. Spectacled cobras can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and fields to urban areas, where they help control rodent populations. Despite their fearsome reputation, they are generally shy and will only attack when provoked. Their dramatic displays and potent neurotoxic venom have made them both respected and feared, and they are frequently featured in folklore, mythology, and traditional snake charming practices.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

The strawberry poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio) is a small but vividly coloured amphibian native to Central America, particularly in rainforests of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its bright red body (although the species is highly variable), often accompanied by blue or black limbs, serves as a warning to predators of its toxic skin, which is derived from its diet of ants and other small invertebrates. Despite its tiny size, this frog is highly territorial and exhibits complex parental care, with females transporting tadpoles to water-filled bromeliad leaves and feeding them unfertilized eggs. Its striking appearance and fascinating behaviour make it one of the most well-known poison dart frogs. The Mojo Fun figurine is of the most widely known and popular colour variation that this frog comes in – although uses the same model as the red-eyed tree frog so isn’t as realistic as it could be. Again however, the colours are spot on!

Veiled Chameleon

The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is a striking and charismatic reptile native to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Known for its vibrant coloration and tall, helmet-like casque on its head, the veiled chameleon is a master of camouflage, able to shift its skin tones to regulate temperature or communicate mood. These solitary, arboreal lizards have zygodactylous feet and prehensile tails, perfectly adapted for life in trees. Their independently rotating eyes provide a full 360-degree field of vision, and they use a lightning-fast, sticky tongue to snatch insects from surprising distances. Popular in the exotic pet trade, veiled chameleons are fascinating creatures that require specialised care. However, the Mojo Fun veiled chameleon saves you from these worries in this extremely life-like figurine. It is my favourite model of a chameleon due to the dynamism captured (see the images below).

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a well-known and formidable pit viper native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Easily identified by the distinctive diamond-shaped patterns along its back and the iconic rattle at the tip of its tail, this venomous snake plays a vital role in controlling rodent populations. Known for its defensive behaviour, the western diamondback will often coil, hiss, and rattle its tail as a warning before striking. Despite its fearsome reputation, it prefers to avoid confrontation and uses its venom primarily for subduing prey. As one of the most frequently encountered rattlesnakes in its range, it has become a symbol of the American Southwest and a subject of fascination in both wildlife education and cultural representation. This model by Mojo Fun captures it in a defensive posture in fine detail. It is particularly well made and the colouration is true to life, given the complexities of working at such a scale! Hopefully, my photos do it justice.

Hopefully, that has given you a taste of some of the amphibian and reptile figurines that Mojo Fun produces. I’ll be sharing the rest of the collection in the next couple of weeks. However, if you want to purchase any of the figurines produced by Mojo Fun throughout their range, don’t forget to use my promocode of SJRA10 for 10% off your orders. I would love to know what you think about these models in the comments below and how they could potentially be improved, or if you’ve purchased them and had any additional ideas as to what should be added to the current line-up. Special thanks to Mojo Fun for sending me these amazing figurines!

If you liked this post and enjoy reading this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon where you will also gain access to exclusive content. When buying toys through Mojo Fun, don’t forget to use the coupon code SJRA10 at the checkout for 10% off! Likewise, when ordering through Toymany, use code TMAFAS10 for 10% off your order. Thank you.

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