Wednesday 20 April 2011

A-Z blogging challenge "Q" - Quokkas



As someone pointed out to me recently, quokkas are weird creatures. "They're sort of...big marsupials with rats' tails." Well, yeah. I honestly haven't researched quokkas, to find out where else they live beyond Rottnest Island. But I noticed when I added that first link above that there is some info there, if you're into it. ;) Here are some of my photos of quokkas:




When you visit Rottnest Island (which is a fun thing to do if you ever visit Perth), you may see mangy quokkas around. This is because tourists feed them stuff they shouldn't be eating, and generally mistreat them. Quokkas have grown quite domesticated because they're so used to people. If you're in one of the cottages you might find quokkas coming up to your door, scavenging.

We sometimes hear of violence committed against quokkas by disgusting creatures trying to pass themselves off as human beings. I don't have anything else to say about those types of people except I daydream of the quokkas rising up and giving back what they've received there.

19 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, what cuties! I've never seen or heard of these creatures before, LOL!

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  2. I've never heard of them either, but they are so cute. You can definitely see some mouse and some marsupial in the face. Thanks!

    -Vicki

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  3. A lot of people are freaked out by the idea of huge domesticated rats ;) But I think they're cute! Then again, I kind of like rats/mice too. Guess I'm weird that way.

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  4. They're adorable - thanks for sharing the photos!

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  5. They do look like giant rats. But they have such a cool name.

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  6. Best. Q. Post!!! I've never heard of these little creatures. I want, however, to put a little vest and tie on the one in your picture, though, a la Stuart Little! Cute, cute, cute.

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  7. @Susan - no worries, I think they're cute too!

    @Lynda - I know, I love the word 'quokka' too :D I have to wonder who the heck came up with it though!

    @Liz, LOL - that gives me funny images in my head.

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  8. They're adorable! Their habits remind me of our local marsupials--the possums--though no one I know has domesticated one. ; ) Many a person has found that the cat and dog food on the back porch is really being eaten by the neighborhood possum and her children.

    Now how did the island get named 'Rottnest'? Inquiring minds want to kwow. ; )

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  9. First thing first,

    I am afraid of rodents (assuming that quokkas belongs to this class). I dunno if I wanna go near one of the domesticated quokkas!!

    But still, I don't support those atrocities on them!! Its cruel!!

    Hey, Trisha, I am holding a small blog - fest on my blog!! Do visit and participate in the same!!

    with warm regards
    CatchyTips for Writers

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  10. I don't think I've heard of a quokkas before. The one you have pictured sure has a cute face. I hope something can be done to offer them better protection and treatment soon!

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  11. I never heard of these before! Oh my gosh they're so cute, love them. Great Q post!

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  12. @Zan Marie - as far as I know, Rottnest means "Rat's Nest", hence the quokkas. But I didn't see any mention of that on the Rottnest website, so I'm wondering if somebody made it up :P

    @AMP - I'll check out your blogfest :)

    @Donea, Julie & Rebecca - they are cute, when they're healthy! I think the main problem is people feeding them crap food.

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  13. I know lots of animals but didn't know this one. That's for introducing them to me. They look like cute. Look friendly, too. I'll have to check out the link and learn more.

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  14. No worries Linda :) They are friendly, and harmless!

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  15. I've never heard of them. They are so cute.

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  16. I was about to comment on your reading post and spotted your Q word. First time I'm coming across these animals. They're cute. You have to wonder what people get out of mistreating creatures that can't fight back.

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  17. Hi..I've never heard of such animal..thanks for sharing..
    (dropping by from A to Z challenge..oh..by the way..I've finally managed to add a comment - didn't realized I can use the Google A/C - silly me)

    Graywolfie
    Http://graywolfie.andrewandgrace.net

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  18. Hi Graywolfie, thanks for the comment :D Glad you managed to add a comment!

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