Jan 14, 2011: Quokka

This is not a rat, it's a Quokka, a marsupial, like a stunted Kangaroo.
When a Dutchman discovered them, he thought they were rats so he named their island Rattenest, Dutch for rat nest.
They also live on Bald Island, both islands being west of Australia.

They're not afraid of humans at all and will come right up to you on Rottnest Island. Although, there is a $300 fine
if you handle the animals in any way. So maybe skip the hugs and just go for a nice photo instead.

That's for just touching them, if your harass them, it's $2,000.

link

And if you stew them?

Man, they look cuddly. Now I need to go back to bed and snuggle under the covers.

What happens if they touch or harass you? Can you charge them? Or do you get fined anyway? And if so, do they play with that rule like an offside trap? "It's OK, Mr. Tourist, you can come a little closer to take my picture and still be OK.... got ya! touched your nose na na na na nah na! Officer, he's harassing me!"

I can't help but look at them and think, "It's a Trap!"

Like their whole face opens up and reveals row after row of serrated teeth.

Ewoks without the attitude.

ToastyOhs;705618 wrote:

...their whole face opens up and reveals row after row of serrated teeth.

No. It opens up to reveal that they're really just little coffins made to look like something else.

Quok in a Wok?

how could he think they were rats?

they're smiling!

Because when they are not ready for Mr Demille, they look like this.

I'm alright
Don't nobody worry bout me
Why ya got to give me a fight
Why don't cha just let me be

so the Quokka were the stunt double for Chuck Rodent? niiiiice, makes perfect sense! :D

Undertoad;705647 wrote:

I'm alright
Don't nobody worry bout me
Why ya got to give me a fight
Why don't cha just let me be

That was actually my first mental image, as well.

ToastyOhs;705618 wrote:

I can't help but look at them and think, "It's a Trap!"

Like their whole face opens up and reveals row after row of serrated teeth.

"Wot's 'e do? Nibble your bum?!"

monster;705612 wrote:

What happens if they touch or harass you? Can you charge them? Or do you get fined anyway? And if so, do they play with that rule like an offside trap?

About 10 years ago, I went to Rottnest and had hired one of the appalling tourist bikes they have (or at least had back then). I'd got off the bike and put the stand up and sat down closeby. Before I knew it, the bike was surrounded by quokkas, nibbling at the nuts and bolts that keep the wheels attached to the frame. They're so used to tourists, I would have thought that they would have known that bits of bicycle had nothing to offer them.

Undertoad;705647 wrote:

I'm alright
Don't nobody worry bout me
Why ya got to give me a fight
Why don't cha just let me be

kerosene;705689 wrote:

That was actually my first mental image, as well.

Hahahaha!!! That's where I went first also. Great minds, and all that shit.:p:

casimendocina;705814 wrote:

Before I knew it, the bike was surrounded by quokkas, nibbling at the nuts and bolts that keep the wheels attached to the frame.

Sounds like a Kea, a parrot in NZ that will tear out the rubber gasket from around your windshield.