Product Description
Our Plastic Coelacanth Replica Safari, Ltd., has outdone themselves with this strikingly realistic plastic model of the amazing coelacanth. Made with great attention to detail, this fish almost looks real. Although it is only 5 1/2 inches long, the details and coloring of this realistic miniature "living fossil" will thrill any adult or child interested in sea life, fish, ancient animals, evolution, and the mysteries of the deep. Our coelacanth is made of plastic that is only marginally flexible; this fish does not change position, and only the fins can be bent a little bit at the ends. However, it is designed in a beautiful swimming pose to make it as realistic and true to life as possible. This replica has detailed fins, scales, head, face, and teeth. It is is painted a blue-gray with white spots like a real coelacanth from the ocean depths. Our coelacanth is a terrific specimen for study, school projects and dioramas, teaching, collecting, museum displays, and biology classification projects, and yet it is so durable it can also be used as an educational toy for older children (not recommended for 3 years and under).
Coelacanths are one of the most famous of the "Lazarus taxon," or animals that were previously thought to be extinct. In 1938, the first coelacanth was found off the east coast of South Africa. Until that time, they were thought to have been extinct for the past 80 million years. Two living species have been identified within the genus Latimeria. They have been found near Indonesia as well as off the coast of Africa. Coelacanths may live as long as 80 to 100 years, and although they are found as deep as 2,300 feet in the ocean, they more often live at a depth of about 300 to 650 feet. These fish may spend the daylight hours in caves, as they have a need for dim light and cold water. They give birth to live young and may take as long as 20 years to mature.
