Character Design - Animals

Throughout my research I noticed that most designer toys are based on animals or have features of certain animals.

Similarity between Dunny and a rabbit

Rolfs' similarities to a raccoon
(wearing tiger skin)

Early in the project I decided that I wanted my toy to be based on an animal as my previous toy, Rolf, was based on a raccoon and he turned out very successful because of the unique features of a raccoon. I want to achieve this again. 

To help me decide what animal I will base my toy on I started researching into animals and their body shapes.

Examples of the animals I have looked into so far are:

Gorilla                               Wolf

Tapir                                 Wombat 

Rabbit                                Deer

Raccoon                            Squirrel

Platypus