Discussion: Native Bears, JWOC
in: Orienteering; General
Oct 28, 2006 1:03 AM
#
I heard that native bears in Australia jump from trees onto passers-by. Will they pose a hazard to competitors at JWOC next (northern) summer?
Oct 28, 2006 1:14 AM
#
You mean these cute little guys?
Come to Canada, and you will have to watch out for THESE cute little guys. :-)
Come to Canada, and you will have to watch out for THESE cute little guys. :-)
Oct 28, 2006 3:39 AM
#
fell:
the're bloody grumpy things.
they stink and they sound like a bushpig.
The Dubbo region is known for a few native rarities that have proven to be a problem in the past.
The Granite outcropppings provide shelter during the daytime for bladder-bats.
If startled they release their bladders as an attempt at self defence and in order to distract the predator.
Hoop Snakes are also often seen rolling through the more open areas of forest. These are the fastest snakes in the world, they travel (as their name suggests) by grasping their tales in their mouth and through a primitive method of cyclical peristalsis they can gain phenomenal speeds (upto 80kmph!!!).
Pretty hard to outrun one of them, luckily their venom is not too toxic, and usually a bite only results in a permanent loss of hair.
As previously mentioned, the other one to look out for is the Eastern Drop Bear, which is found throughout the South Eastern states; it is a slow moving animal, often being compared to a sloth, but more resembling a predatory koala. They live in the canopies of the taller Eucalypts, where they wait, listening intently with their large ears for the sound of prey beneath their tree. When the time is right they drop from the upper branches, intending to hit (and stun) the unsuspecting prey with their heavily padded backsides.
Fortunately Drop Bears tend to be nocturnal creatures and only an isolated handful of attack reports have been published in recent years.
Due to urbanisation the lifestyles of these animals has begun to change dramatically over the past decades. significantly, hoop snakes have been seen hunting in packs; and the noise pollution caused by expanding suburbia has lead to the de-nocturnalisation of the drop bear population closer to urban centres.
they stink and they sound like a bushpig.
The Dubbo region is known for a few native rarities that have proven to be a problem in the past.
The Granite outcropppings provide shelter during the daytime for bladder-bats.
If startled they release their bladders as an attempt at self defence and in order to distract the predator.
Hoop Snakes are also often seen rolling through the more open areas of forest. These are the fastest snakes in the world, they travel (as their name suggests) by grasping their tales in their mouth and through a primitive method of cyclical peristalsis they can gain phenomenal speeds (upto 80kmph!!!).
Pretty hard to outrun one of them, luckily their venom is not too toxic, and usually a bite only results in a permanent loss of hair.
As previously mentioned, the other one to look out for is the Eastern Drop Bear, which is found throughout the South Eastern states; it is a slow moving animal, often being compared to a sloth, but more resembling a predatory koala. They live in the canopies of the taller Eucalypts, where they wait, listening intently with their large ears for the sound of prey beneath their tree. When the time is right they drop from the upper branches, intending to hit (and stun) the unsuspecting prey with their heavily padded backsides.
Fortunately Drop Bears tend to be nocturnal creatures and only an isolated handful of attack reports have been published in recent years.
Due to urbanisation the lifestyles of these animals has begun to change dramatically over the past decades. significantly, hoop snakes have been seen hunting in packs; and the noise pollution caused by expanding suburbia has lead to the de-nocturnalisation of the drop bear population closer to urban centres.
Oct 28, 2006 5:35 AM
#
Do you guys have many problems with bunyips in that area too? I've heard they can be quite vicious, especially when surprised in the bush.
Oct 28, 2006 5:46 AM
#
fell:
don't be silly, bunyips only occur in south east victoria.
maybe you're thinking of the yowie (see: http://www.theaustralianyowieresearchcenter.com/ )
maybe you're thinking of the yowie (see: http://www.theaustralianyowieresearchcenter.com/ )
Oct 30, 2006 6:09 AM
#
Koalas do have a brain. One urinated on one of our delightful politicians during a photo shoot! Can't find the photo on the net. Perhaps someone else has the link.
Nov 3, 2006 4:53 PM
#
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5619690&nav...
The video (top right) shows him in full "drop" mode.
The video (top right) shows him in full "drop" mode.
This discussion thread is closed.