Palo de sangre is the Spanish name for this rich red wood. The English translation is "bloodwood." It is the heartwood of the trees Brosimum paraense and Brosimum rubescens. The sapwood is yellowish-white. According to Wikipedia, "Palo de sangre has a fine texture and takes a high polish. The wood is very hard and has a tendency to blunt tools. The wood is used in decorative woodworking and woodturning . . . . The Nature Conservancy considers this tree secure within its native range." Other sources give additional names: muirapiranga, satiné rubane, cacique, and cardinalwood (due to its red color). It keeps its color, and does not turn brown with age like some highly colored woods.

Palo de sangre is carved into wonderfully attractive and charming animal figures in Colombia and other regions of tropical America. The bright red color is a natural property of the wood, as is the highly finished shine on the surface (evidenced by the reflected light in the photo). These animals are not varnished, stained, or painted, but come to you in their spectacular natural finish. Fortunately, the artisans who carve them are not restricted by any means or conventions to a particular template, so you get the benefit of each individual's vision and creativity. The wood also varies somewhat from one carving to the next as far as natural color, grain, and markings. The motifs themselves are repeated (crocodiles and manatees are common; tapirs are less common), although availability depends on circumstances. We may be able to get several tapirs this month and none next month, for example. Or we may be able to get small otters one month and only large otters the next. In many cases, only one of each style is available. Please phone (503-325-3179) or e-mail if you are interested in more than one of the styles shown in our drop-down menu. These wooden animal replicas were imported to the US by the Tapir Preservation Fund. Your purchase helps support conservation of tapirs and their habitat.

The stingray is in the (Dasyatidae) family which include cartilaginous marine fish like skates and sharks. The stingray swims with a flying motion using its strong pectoral wings for propulsion. Most of the time it lies on the bottom covered with sand and feeds on small crustaceans using an acute sense of smell and electro-receptors. It is a docile creature but derives its ominous name from a razor-sharp barb which protrudes from its spine. The sting causes miserable pain and can be fatal if left untreated. Since stingrays are often found in shallow water, they can be easily stepped on by divers, swimmers and snorkelers. The barb usually breaks off but will regenerate in the animal. There are many different species of stingrays varying in size from palm-sized to a body of six feet in diameter. There are also some freshwater varieties found in South America.



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stuffed animals, plastic animals,
and other toys and gifts from
Tapir and Friends Animal Store
helps preserve endangered species
and their habitats

All tapirs are endangered species
Saving tapirs helps save the rainforest

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P.O. Box 118, Astoria, Oregon 97103, USA
Office phone / fax (503) 325-3179 ~ Cell phone (503) 338-8646