Quokkas are supercute!

[Stella]

No, really!

Check it out (https://www.google.com/search?q=quokka&client=firefox-a&hs=Ao6&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=rcs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1TcgVLSnFIjbsASJrYCIBw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1033&bih=613#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=1x7Zl0tApZLhWM%253A%3BTEXZ7Yh-D_QTIM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tickld.com%252Fcdn _image_thing%252Ffb_674710.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%25 2Fwww.tickld.com%252Ffunny%252Ft%252F674710%3B460% 3B241)! I had no idea these things even existed before today.

Now I have to go to Australia so I can pet one. Or several. I hope they like peanuts, but I can provide corn or grains if that's their preferred diet.

[Asta Kask]

There's an AU$300 fine for handling one. Let them live and die free.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEOOZDbMrgE

Quokka Mel Gibson ftw.

[Serpentine]

They're pretty cute, I guess, but numbats (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cardigan+corgi&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=X0EgVKzMJsuB8gX5s4D4BA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643#tbm=isch&q=numbat) and bilbies (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cardigan+corgi&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=X0EgVKzMJsuB8gX5s4D4BA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643#tbm=isch&q=bilby) are where it's at.

[Asta Kask]

Still, I think it's better to admire than in the wild. No one has suggested it yet, but please, don't get your own as a pet. Unless they're specifically for it.

And not unless you're certain you can care for it.

[Serpentine]

It's illegal to own native animals in Australia anyway, with some few, very specific and very well-regulated exceptions. Although there is an argument brewing every now and then that we should replace introduced pets with native ones - bilbies instead of rabbits, quolls instead of cats, etc. Pros and cons for it.

[The Succubus]

Nope, this (http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/feeds_animal_thumbnail/public/koala_thumb.jpg?itok=4tq_Vl1a) is cuteness.

[Asta Kask]

You won't be giving mr Koala Chef the sack in favour of Quokka chefs soon?

Serp: Makes sense. I know what my cats are doing to wildlife adapted to them... I shudder to think what they would do to naive wildlife.

[Teddy]

In addition to all that's said about disturbing Australia's wildlife, I'd like to add that there might be some troubles getting peanuts, grains or corns across the Australian border. Although I don't think it'll be especially hard to aquire any of them once you're inside, though...

[Dexam]

No, really!

Check it out (https://www.google.com/search?q=quokka&client=firefox-a&hs=Ao6&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=rcs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1TcgVLSnFIjbsASJrYCIBw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1033&bih=613#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=1x7Zl0tApZLhWM%253A%3BTEXZ7Yh-D_QTIM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tickld.com%252Fcdn _image_thing%252Ffb_674710.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%25 2Fwww.tickld.com%252Ffunny%252Ft%252F674710%3B460% 3B241)! I had no idea these things even existed before today.

Now I have to go to Australia so I can pet one. Or several. I hope they like peanuts, but I can provide corn or grains if that's their preferred diet.

*puts on tourism hat*

If you want to see quokkas, then you will need to come to Dexamville Perth, Western Australia.

Quokkas are only found in two places, one of which is kept hidden from the general public to protect the species. The good news is that the other place is Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride off of Perth, and they are all over the island. In fact, the name "Rottnest" comes from early Dutch explorers who thought the quokkas were giant rats, and so named the island "Rat's Nest".

As has already been mentioned: please don't handle them, and please don't feed them. Feeding native animals only encourages them to become dependent on humans for food, rather than foraging for themselves. On the plus side, the quokkas on Rottnest are completely used to people and super friendly - they'll happily come right up to you. :smallsmile:

[Asta Kask]

Nope, this (http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/feeds_animal_thumbnail/public/koala_thumb.jpg?itok=4tq_Vl1a) is cuteness.

You have a crush on David Mitchell? (http://davidmitchellisakoala.tumblr.com/)

[Stella]

No one has suggested it yet, but please, don't get your own as a pet. Unless they're specifically for it.

And not unless you're certain you can care for it.
I don't think they are domesticated. I know that doesn't keep people from taking all kinds of rodents, snakes, etc. as pets, but most of those are small enough that they can be kept in a cage where their waste can be managed. Quokkas are large enough for that to be a cruelty, and who wants them running around the place pooing wherever they choose?

Besides, my cats wouldn't be terribly favorable to the idea, even if I was. :)

[Asta Kask]

Besides, my cats wouldn't be terribly favorable to the idea, even if I was. :)

Really? My cats would love to have a few quokkas around the house. I could have a breeding pair, and then there would be an infinite supply of them. Think of all the fun that could be had.

[Stella]

In my home it wouldn't be fun so much as a never ending war. I wouldn't do that to either my cats or to the quokkas.

[SiuiS]

Nope, this (http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/feeds_animal_thumbnail/public/koala_thumb.jpg?itok=4tq_Vl1a) is cuteness.

Knowing you, I was expecting a pic oh Helio or similar. :smallwink:

[Asta Kask]

If that's Helio then I guess removing body hair is not a priority.

[Ettina]

What about sugar gliders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSL0vtRrTYk)? Apparently they make pretty good pets. Never had one myself, though.

[Lady Moreta]

Did anyone else notice, about halfway down the page on the first link, the picture of a wet koala? That has to be the most terrifying thing I've ever seen :smalleek:

[Teddy]

Did anyone else notice, about halfway down the page on the first link, the picture of a wet koala? That has to be the most terrifying thing I've ever seen :smalleek:

I think I see what you're talking about, but I don't think it's way too little fur to be a koala. Might be a baby something, though...

[Eldan]

If it's the one I mean, it looks more like a kind of lemur.

Googling just "wet koala" only gives me this.

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web05/2012/7/16/10/enhanced-buzz-12085-1342447483-2.jpg

[enderlord99]

It's a variety of lemur from Madagascar called the aye-aye. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aye-aye)