Rtas' main collection

V Mammals

H) Carnivorans

2) Caniforms

d) Bears

1. Giant pandas

Species : Giant panda
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 14707 Giant Panda Cub (2014-2017)
- Schleich 14772 Giant Panda, male (2017-still in production)
- Schleich 14773 Giant Panda, female (2017-still in production)

Fun facts :
- I found other giant pandas than these during my figure hunts (especially the retired female from 2014 and the panda with bamboo from 2012) but since I try to adapt my number of figures to the social behaviour of the species and giant pandas are solitary and rare animals, I thought these three specimens were enough.
- Giant panda females can have two cubs but they usually take care of only one of them and let the other die, that's why I didn't buy the newer panda cub (I preferred the previous one).
- I bought the panda pair in my favourite Schleich shop and found the cub in another one we went to with my grandmother after visiting a zoo.
- I have only seen giant pandas in Beauval.

Oh gosh I've missed on so much. Your Schleich red panda looks rather evil with the piercing red eyes! In my red panda family I have the AAA baby, Papo, Schleich and CollectA. I decided to get Schleich's as my last one because it was the first one they had ever made and I thought why ever not getting this.

In Spanish martes means Tuesday, and Spanish is derived from Latin so the pine marten must be called Tuesday Tuesday

My family of giant pandas is 10 strong with most figures from Schleich. I decided against the most recent figures you have as I have enough as it is. My brother adores pandas and now he refuses to go to any zoo/safari park unless it has pandas so that is why I could go to Edinburgh Zoo.

Advicot wrote:

My family of giant pandas is 10 strong with most figures from Schleich. I decided against the most recent figures you have as I have enough as it is. My brother adores pandas and now he refuses to go to any zoo/safari park unless it has pandas so that is why I could go to Edinburgh Zoo.

The giant panda is so overrated among the general public... For god's sake, it is just a black and white bear ! I definitely prefer the sun bear, much more original.

RtasVadumee wrote:

Advicot wrote:

My family of giant pandas is 10 strong with most figures from Schleich. I decided against the most recent figures you have as I have enough as it is. My brother adores pandas and now he refuses to go to any zoo/safari park unless it has pandas so that is why I could go to Edinburgh Zoo.

The giant panda is so overrated among the general public... For god's sake, it is just a black and white bear ! I definitely prefer the sun bear, much more original.

It definitly hasn´t something to do with the colour shape
The panda is a worldwide symbol because of the WWF! If you talk about endangered animals, everybody knows the Giant Panda. A lot of people now, that it´s very popular in China and that there aren´t many outside of this country. Endangered and rare in Zoos, so it´s normal that people love it. It´s an inconic symbol and when people learn about wildlife conservation because of the panda, I don´t think that the panda is overrated

These giant pandas are easily the best ones on the trade. The head is incredibly realistic as are the paws. They caught the head shape at perfection. I have the male for my collection.

RtasVadumee wrote:

I try to adapt my number of figures to the social behaviour of the species

I hope you don't decide to include honeybees in your collection

Advicot wrote:

In Spanish martes means Tuesday, and Spanish is derived from Latin so the pine marten must be called Tuesday Tuesday

Hahaha, true! And the common name in Spanish is "Marta" that is a femenine proper noun. So when we says "Marta" nobody thinks in the animal but in some female friend called Marta. (By the way, "Marta" is used only for pine marten and exotic martens, while beech marten is called "Garduña").

[quote="RtasVadumee"]

Advicot wrote:

The giant panda is so overrated among the general public... For god's sake, it is just a black and white bear ! I definitely prefer the sun bear, much more original.

I can't disagree more. Giant pandas are undoubtely the most original of all bears with great difference with any other bear. All bears are opportunistic omnivores, giant panda is an extremely specialized herbivore that almost only eats bamboo - making it the biggest of all specialized-eating animals. All other bears have normal paws, giant pandas have a bone prolongation that looks like a sixth finger. All other bears have round pupils, giant pandas have slit vertical pupils. Giant pandas are so strange and unique that during many decades the Science tought that is not a true bear, but rather a giant racoon. For the other bears nobody put their relationships in doubt. Plus, giant pandas are the most endangered of all bears and the ones with a smaller distribution map in the world.

I like Schleich pandas and I have the sitting one with bamboo. I only think Schleich make so many of them. The recent release of a sloth bear fortunately broke the monotony.

Pardofelis wrote:

Advicot wrote:

In Spanish martes means Tuesday, and Spanish is derived from Latin so the pine marten must be called Tuesday Tuesday

Hahaha, true! And the common name in Spanish is "Marta" that is a femenine proper noun. So when we says "Marta" nobody thinks in the animal but in some female friend called Marta. (By the way, "Marta" is used only for pine marten and exotic martens, while beech marten is called "Garduña").

The exact same in Portugal. The only difference is that we call fuinha to (M. foina) instead of garduña.

Duck-Anch-Amun wrote:

It definitly hasn´t something to do with the colour shape  
The panda is a worldwide symbol because of the WWF! If you talk about endangered animals, everybody knows the Giant Panda. A lot of people now, that it´s very popular in China and that there aren´t many outside of this country. Endangered and rare in Zoos, so it´s normal that people love it. It´s an inconic symbol and when people learn about wildlife conservation because of the panda, I don´t think that the panda is overrated  

The giant panda has a natural very low birthrate and a very specialised diet. It is threatened by human activities indeed, but it is also a naturally vulnerable species and there are dozens of other species which were totally destroyed by mankind without having those weaknesses in the first stance and which would, in my opinion, make better symbols for wildlife conservation. It is overly protected, for strictly political and nationalist reasons, by a country which is one of the main culprit of worldwide poaching because of its traditional herbology market. What a beautiful paradox !

So why do you think it has been chosen as a symbol rather than the hirola, the javan rhinoceros or the bald ibis ? Because it is cute and pleases the general public, because it is a black and white bear, children love teddy bears and white and black are a pretty aesthetic combination of coulours.

Pardofelis wrote:

I can't disagree more. Giant pandas are undoubtely the most original of all bears with great difference with any other bear. All bears are opportunistic omnivores, giant panda is an extremely specialized herbivore that almost only eats bamboo - making it the biggest of all specialized-eating animals. All other bears have normal paws, giant pandas have a bone prolongation that looks like a sixth finger. All other bears have round pupils, giant pandas have slit vertical pupils. Giant pandas are so strange and unique that during many decades the Science tought that is not a true bear, but rather a giant racoon. For the other bears nobody put their relationships in doubt.

You make a point. I may just be willing to fight against the giant panda's overwhelming supremacy in people's heart, just as Roger does with Schleich

RtasVadumee wrote:

Quote :

It definitly hasn´t something to do with the colour shape  
The panda is a worldwide symbol because of the WWF! If you talk about endangered animals, everybody knows the Giant Panda. A lot of people now, that it´s very popular in China and that there aren´t many outside of this country. Endangered and rare in Zoos, so it´s normal that people love it. It´s an inconic symbol and when people learn about wildlife conservation because of the panda, I don´t think that the panda is overrated  

The giant panda has a natural very low birthrate and a very specialised diet. It is threatened by human activities indeed, but it is also a naturally vulnerable species and there are dozens of other species which were totally destroyed by mankind without having those weaknesses in the first stance and which would, in my opinion, make better symbols for wildlife conservation. It is overly protected, for strictly political and nationalist reasons, by a country which is one of the main culprit of worldwide poaching because of its traditional herbology market. What a beautiful paradox !

So why do you think it has been chosen as a symbol rather than the hirola, the javan rhinoceros or the bald ibis ? Because it is cute and pleases the general public, because it is a black and white bear, children love teddy bears and white and black are a pretty aesthetic combination of coulours.

Yeah, of course that is true and it´s an reasonable "marketing" choice. But it doesn´t make the symbol less effective. We don´t have to talk about China as we all know, that there are a ot of problems - we only have to look what happens at the moment. But using a cute and recognisable symbol is the easiest way to send a message, even that there are other animals that are even more endangered and less protected.
Working for a nature conservation, we always choose target species for our projects. Choosing a animal where everybody cares is proven to be the most effective. So you choose a beautiful endangered butterfly for protection of wetlands or an otter for protection of rivers.

RtasVadumee wrote:

You make a point. I may just be willing to fight against the giant panda's overwhelming supremacy in people's heart, just as Roger does with Schleich

I never thought about it, maybe I really don't like Schleich because they are sooooo small.

V Mammals

H) Carnivorans

2) Caniforms

d) Bears

2. Black bears

Species : Sloth bear, sun bear, American black bear
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 14779 Sloth Bear (2017-2020)
- Mojo 387173 Sun Bear (2014-still in production)
- Schleich 14316 Black Bear Female (2003-2011)
- Schleich 14326 Black Bear Cub (2004-2011)
- Schleich 41457 Forest animal babies (2017-2019)

Fun facts :
- The sloth bear is one of the first figures I got when I started collecting again. It was one of the species, along with the giant pangolin and the bowmouth guitarfish, which made me realise that I missed a lot of interesting figures when I stopped collecting.
- The old black bear model is one of these figures from my childhood I stay deeply attached to. I think it still looks great today and I prefer it over the newer version which I did not buy. I don't plan to replace it soon.
- The sun bear is one of my favourite animal species, that's why I absolutely needed the Mojo model. I have known an old sun bear female, the second oldest in Europe, since my childhood. She's part of the reason why I like this species so much.
- I have the black bear female from my childhood, bought the sloth bear in my favourite Schleich shop and ordered the sun bear from my favourite Ebay seller. I found the old black bear cub in an independant toy shop lost in deep Brittany and got the more recent one in this shop close to my job (I bought it separately from the set).
- I have seen black bears and sun bears in zoos but I have never seen a sloth bear.

Update :
- Safari 100044 Moon Bear (2017-still in production) was added to the collection. For further information, please check the addition topics.
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RtasVadumee wrote:

So why do you think it has been chosen as a symbol rather than the hirola, the javan rhinoceros or the bald ibis ?

Because nobody on the general public, excluding us the animal freaks, know what is a hirola, what is an ibis, or that there are various kind of rhinoceros. So if WWF would chose a different species as symbol it would be a much less known organization by the general public.

Nice black bears, I still miss an American black in my collection. I tought in buy the CollectA one as the promo image is magnific, but once seen in real in a toy shop, the face and eyes in frontal view are somewhat strange. So I changed to the Mojo model for my future purchase list.

While I saw the three mentioned species of black bears in zoos, I only managed to make photos of sun bear. American and sloth bears were in situations where I was unable to make an acceptable photo, so I still have only photos of taxidermy specimens until I can replace them by alive ones.

The Schleich sloth bear is a figure that I saw during my early begin of collecting, but I was very doubtful about getting it, overall because the thickness of the claws. But after years passed I bought it and customized it cutting the nails with a cutter to make them thinner. I'm glad I did this because just next year (this year), the bear was retired! :)

Very nice array of bears Ben, I should of got the retired figures when I had the chance and now I regret it awfully

Excellent bears

V Mammals

H) Carnivorans

2) Caniforms

d) Bears

3. Brown bears

Species : Grizzly bear
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 42473 Grizzly Bear Mother with Cub (2019-still in production)
- Schleich 14324 Grizzly Bear Cub (2004-2013)
- Schleich 14686 Grizzly Bear Female (2013-2019)
- Schleich 14687 Grizzly Bear Cub (2013-2017)
- Schleich 14685 Grizzly Bear (2013-still in production)

Fun facts :
- In my opinion, the male is one of Schleich's recent masterpieces. The females are more forgettable.
- I would like to find the Bayala model to complete this group as it looks absolutely gorgeous and would fight well with my angry male.
- As I don't have a proper European brown bear (except the old vintage model from 1989) the Pyrenees bear from Papo may be a future purchase too.
- I bought the standing female in my favourite Schleich shop. I bought the male and the most recent cub in a garden centre (I did not buy the male in my regular Schleich shop because the sample I found in that garden centre was better painted). I found the previous cub model in a small independant shop lost in deep Brittany during one of my most profitable figure hunts. I bought the set in a local shop.
- I have seen brown bears in zoos but maybe not of the grizzly subspecies.

Update : Were added to the collection
- Papo 50153 Grizzly Bear (2013-still in production)
- Papo 50032 Pyrenees Bear (2005-still in production)
For further information, please check the addition topics.
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Very nice brown bears, in my opinion the best ever brown bear was Papo's most recent:

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V Mammals

H) Carnivorans

2) Caniforms

d) Bears

4. Polar bears

Species : Polar bear
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 14708 Polar Bear Cub, walking (2014-still in production)
- Schleich 14358 Polar Bear Cub (2006-2012)
- Schleich 14357 Polar Bear Female (2006-2012)
- Schleich 14659 Polar Bear (2012-2018)
- Schleich 14660 Polar Bear Cub (2012-2017)
- Schleich 14800 Polar Bear (2018-still in production)

Fun facts :
- For a very long time, my only polar bears were the old vintage 14024 and 14090 models from 1989 and 1993. They were among my most beloved child's figures and I was so much attached to them that I did not want to replace them.
- I finally replaced them when I got the 14357 female. I had found a collector from my region who sold her whole Schleich collection on a famous French second hand website. I went to her flat and chose among her very numerous models. I spent 130€ that day, it was one of my most profitable figure hunts ! I was not planning to get the polar bear female, since I did not want to replace my old beloved vintage models, but when I saw it I just could not resist buying it. It remains my favourite polar bear today.
- Then, I bought the 14659 model as a male to go with the 14357 female. They fit very well together despite being from different times.
- I finally got the most recent model because I got bored one day and had nothing else to buy in the shop...
- I bought the oldest female and her cub to a collector of my region. I found the 14659 "male" and the corresponding cub in garden centres during my figure hunts. I got the most recent adult and cub in local shops.
- I have seen polar bears in zoos.

Advicot wrote:

Very nice brown bears, in my opinion the best ever brown bear was Papo's most recent:

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I may buy it too as an European bear, if I cannot find the Pyrenees bear, since it is compatible with the Schleich ones sizewise.

Advicot wrote:

Very nice brown bears, in my opinion the best ever brown bear was Papo's most recent:

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If we forget Japanese models, namely the Kitan masterpiece, my favourite is also Papo's but the standing one. I also love another that is in my collection but I won't tell you the brand, I am sure you can guess through watching a photo of a real one.

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Photo is credited to Aarkive

CollectA ?
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Wow!!!!!!!!! Now it's very obvious that CollectA brown bear was modelled exactly after this photo. I think there is a thread somewhere for these kind of figures with the pic on which they was based by big brands?

The topic is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

You both guessed, it means the figure is very faithful to the real thing. I haven't found a picture of my figure so here goes Scott's pic that is much better.
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Pardofelis wrote:

Another example, and maybe Rtas's favourite model

The Diana monkey : the universally admitted reference figure as far as size is concerned.

Any figure which is not compatible with the Diana monkey is total garbage and should never ever be bought.

Blessed be the holy Diana monkey.

Hahahah. I love your humour sense Rtas

Thanks Roger, I think that I will delete my diana monkeys from this topic for put them in the other topic

Yes Roger the Kitan Club figure is marvellous (my only Japanese figure), if only it was Schleich sized and then I would be really, really happy.