I’ve only been abroad one time, and there were little gecko/lizard things everywhere, climbing up walls and scurrying across roads, and nobody cared. I was constantly fascinated but to the locals they’re just kinda there.
Bonus question to anyone who visited the UK - was there anything that fascinated you but I’d be taking for granted?
Pic unrelated.
Kangaroos, wombats and platypuses.
Kangaroos and wombats are dangerous when you’re driving at night.
To be fair, I’m probably unique in my apathy toward, borderline dislike of, platypuses. When I’m out fishing and I see a platypus I pack up and go somewhere else because I know I won’t be catching any fish.
The possums even more so I’d say, especially in the cities.
I’m actually not sure I’ve ever seen a wild platypus, and I haven’t seen a wombat since I was very young, but I don’t think I’ve ever lived in an area with them. Kangaroos were everywhere growing up in the bush though, in the backyard, school car park, sharp bend around a dark corner…
I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of animals in the wild, but platypuses always evaded me. I even lived by a river for a year, where everyone else saw them.
About a week ago I finally spotted one in a nearby lake while going for a run. It was just happily swimming, diving, surfacing, repeat. I watched it for ages.
I remember I was maybe 8 years old and lucky enough to go out on my dad and uncle’s fishing boat. They were commercial fishermen, netting sardines.
I was so excited when dolphins showed up, only to discover that not everyone loves dolphins when my uncle got the shotgun out. He didn’t actually murder any dolphins that day but not for lack of trying.
Suffice to say, I think most fishermen have a healthy dislike for other predators.
Platypuses don’t eat fish. They eat worms and yabbies and insect larvae. I don’t know why the fish stay away from them, but they do… Maybe the platypuses are territorial as they’re competing for the same food? 🤷
Pawbably all the splashing about I’d say.
Was at the RACV park in Inverloch (VIC) last weekend. Lots of kangaroos and wombats roaming around - one was being given space while it crossed over the bridge lmao. We love that everyone is chilled and everything was so quiet and peaceful.