As a dinosaur and animal enthusiast, I've tried "everything." But when the goal is figures that actually look like research describes them, CollectA stands out. Here you get models with correct proportions, realistic texture – and yes: the right number of toes and even a correctly placed cloacal opening (anus) where there is a scientific basis. These are figures that take science seriously – without losing the joy of play.
Why CollectA?
CollectA builds models in dialogue with paleontological experts and updates designs in line with new discoveries. The result is figures that are not only cool on the shelf but also educational – for children, collectors, and curious adults.
In addition, CollectA offers an enormous range of species – far beyond the "usual" favorites. You'll find everything from iconic dinosaurs to mammals, marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and even extinct plants. This makes your collection both more varied and more credible.
The details that matter (to those of us who care)
Toes, hands, tails – everything counts. CollectA is known for getting the number of toes and claws right and for proportions that align with skeletal finds and footprints. Small things? Perhaps. But for us who love dinosaurs, this is precisely what separates a random toy from a good model. (See, for example, reviews of CollectA Triceratops that highlight correct toe count and proportions.)
And yes – cloacal opening (anus). Few manufacturers dare to model this, but CollectA does when research indicates it. The Baryonyx models are a good example, where the cloaca is actually included – a small detail that shows the designer has read more than just the headlines. (Some models – like certain raptor figures – have even had this highlighted in the product description.)
Deluxe series: scale, movable jaws, and learning in every stand
Want to step up the realism? CollectA Deluxe 1:40 offers larger models, often with movable jaws and extreme detail – like the Megalodon, where massive scale, realistic dentition, and skin texture bring the prehistoric super-shark to life.
The fact that CollectA also produces feathered theropods when research suggests it (for example, a feathered T. rex in the Deluxe series) shows that they actually follow the scientific debate.
But… what about Schleich?
Schleich makes solid, durable figures with high wear resistance – great for full throttle in the sandbox. But if you prioritize scientific accuracy, you'll often see the difference: Schleich occasionally sacrifices scientific proportioning for stability (for example, oversized feet for better balance), while CollectA to a greater extent prioritizes scale and form as indicated by fossil material. This doesn't mean Schleich is "bad" – just that CollectA hits closer when the goal is lifelike models.
Beyond T. rex: why selection matters
It's easy to start with the big stars, but collectors know the magic lies in breadth: stegosaurs with correct plates and toes, hadrosaurs with realistic beaks, marine reptiles with correct limbs – and species you have to Google because they are rarely made by other brands. CollectA has over a hundred prehistoric models – this allows for collections that actually resemble a real ancient fauna, not just a gallery of celebrities.
For children, for collectors – for curiosity
CollectA's models serve a dual purpose: play and learning. When a child asks "why does this one have three toes?" or "what is that opening under its tail?", you can answer by referring to real research – and suddenly the figure has become an entry point to natural science. This is precisely what CollectA wants: education through play, supported by scientific consultants throughout the process.
Ready to switch?
If you – like me – care about anatomically correct animals, fossil-based proportions, and details that actually matter, it's time to give CollectA pride of place in your collection. Start with a Deluxe model with a movable jaw, supplement with some "obscure" species, and let your collection grow into a small natural history museum at home.
Tips for a starter kit:
– One Deluxe 1:40 (for example, a predatory dinosaur with a movable jaw)
– One ornithomimid/theropod with feathers (to show variation)
– One herbivore + marine reptile (the breadth of the ecosystem)
– One modern animal/predator from CollectA Wildlife (to see how good they are at zoology too)
When the details are correct, the figure becomes more than a toy – it becomes a conversation with the past.