Customer Reviews

Hercules Beetle 3-D Anatomic Model Puzzle

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't buy this as a toy. I just like insects, and thought it looked pretty cool. It goes together in a few minutes. The parts are large, and probably not challenging for any age, because pieces only fit where they are supposed to go. That being said, and with the box saying it's for ages 8 and up, I have to admit that I have one extra little piece that I sure can't figure out where it goes! And I saw 8 years old decades ago!

The model has a highly detailed finish, and looks very good when completed. It's cool as an art piece, if you like insects!

It can be displayed as shown in the product illustration, or the transluscent wings can be left off and the elytra (wing covers) closed, to give the model a more natural appearance of the crawling, rather than flying beetle.

It's about a foot long, and looks very cool just poised on a wall, propped on a flower pot, on a lamp, or otherwise posed somewhere in a room.

It comes with a booklet that provides some basic instructions on assembly (which I found of no earthly use), and some facts and figures about the Hercules Beetle. A good starter for sparking interest a budding young entomologist, but not extensive by any means. You'll find much more detailed information about the insect's biology and natural history on the web.

The colors are bright, and it's visually very nice. It comes extremely well packaged, with the individual parts in a molded plastic sheet that is just a little frustrating to remove the parts from. I was actually afraid I might break one or two of the pieces trying to pry them out - but the plastic is pretty durable and well made.

I'd call it more of a decorative item than a toy. And I like it as a decorative item! :-)

My wife - a true bug lover - had fun putting the hercules beetle together. The window showing the bug guts is educational but I sprayed it black to look 'real'. It's now in her bug collection.