World Encyclopedia of Animals

Seven of the planet’s most extraordinary animals, hand-painted and shrunk to the palm of your hand — each a museum-grade trophy bust, each with a magnetic head that doubles as a fridge magnet. This isn’t a shelf of figures. It’s a pocket natural history museum, and every exhibit comes with a story worth retelling.

South China Tiger

There may be no wild South China tiger left to photograph — and this one may be the ancestor of every tiger alive. A small monument to the rarest big cat on Earth.

Black Rhinoceros

Two names for the same beast: ‘black’ rhino and ‘hook-lipped’ rhino. Critically endangered, impossibly powerful, and armed with a horn made of nothing but keratin.

African Lion

The only big cat that chose family over the solo life. A mane like a résumé, a roar you can hear five miles away, and lionesses who run the whole operation.

Clouded Leopard

The longest fangs of any living cat, on the best climber in the forest. A shy, cloud-dappled phantom that’s the closest thing to a saber-tooth still walking.

Gemsbok

The antelope that made drinking water optional — and may have inspired the unicorn myth. Meter-long horns carried by both sexes, respected even by lions.

Giraffe

The tallest animal that ever lived, disappearing in the quietest way possible. Seven neck bones (same as you), a blue tongue, and a heart built like a pump.

African Buffalo

Vol.2’s ‘secret’ chase figure. Never domesticated in all of human history, armored with a fused horn shield called the ‘boss’, and counted among Africa’s Big Five.