# Aussies: when kangaroos wander around in Canberra, where do they come \*from\*?\[Now on Aussie slang\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 7, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494 "2018-07-07T22:33:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/21 "2018-07-09T18:46:21Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Eh. I don’t think this is an apt comparison. For one thing, the koala’s range is fairly limited across the continent, whereas raccoons are much more widespread. For another, the koala’s very limited diet means their interactions with humans are more limited – they’re not breaking into garbage cans or eating pet food. Koalas are slow, docile and quiet (except during mating season, when their calls are [loud and kind of eerie.](https://youtube.com/watch?v=PlxnXMWO-jk) > > It’s a treat to see a wild koala, and I’d assume most Aussies agree. Crikey! It’s a werekoala! Hard to believe \* that \* sound came out of something so small and cute. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/22 "2018-07-09T18:50:25Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Crikey! It’s a werekoala! There. There koala. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![senoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/23 "2018-07-09T18:57:08Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Crikey! It’s a werekoala! Hard to believe \* that \* sound came out of something so small and cute. They can also be quite violent, especially during mating season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfen2ya0n0U ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/24 "2018-07-09T19:01:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > There. There koala. 😃 “That’ll do, koala.” ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/25 "2018-07-09T19:22:51Z")
> [@senoy](#): > > They can also be quite violent, especially during mating season. > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfen2ya0n0U That first one was downright Springeresque. Or like two short, fat men in a drunken brawl. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/26 "2018-07-09T20:13:47Z")
When the koala came in it was amusing - mostly. I heard my cat making “there is something in here I’m not happy about” noises. I was rather amazed to see a smallish female koala sitting in his box, clearly eyeing off the curtains as something possibly climbable. Koalas are tubby things, but they climb trees, and their claws are built to allow them to climb what appear to be almost polished surfaces of gum trees. They are large and sharp. You don’t cuddle a wild koala. So I walked behind it and picked it up under the armpits from behind, avoiding the claws. I carried it outside, and gingerly put it down. The little sh\*t spun around and raked a claw down my forearm leaving a quite spectacular welt. Koalas spend almost their entire time asleep in trees. They will move from tree to tree, once every few days, and are one of the most ungainly things you have seen walking on the ground. > [@](#): > > Although I bet Aussies don’t say that the way US people (Brits?) ask, when appropriate, “Do bears shit in the woods?” We usually ask if the Pope shits in the woods. We are funny like that. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/27 "2018-07-09T21:23:09Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > That first one was downright Springeresque… 😕 “Springeresque”? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/28 "2018-07-09T21:31:37Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Authorities in the U.S. don’t usually come aiming to shoot bears, either. They’d rather shoo it off, or if it could present a persistent danger to people living in the area, they’ll tranquilize it and relocate it. They seem to be a danger to dogs as well (and no doubt vice-versa), as seen in this video (NSFW): [https://youtu.be/vr1idLs-zPw](https://youtu.be/vr1idLs-zPw) Also, what to when you can’t wait for People With Guns. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/29 "2018-07-09T22:13:26Z")
> [@senoy](#): > > I would reckon that Australians probably think of koalas the same way we think of raccoons (with the caveat that raccoons carry rabies.) They can be cute and do cute things, but mostly they are to be avoided or ignored. They’re not dangerous enough to actually fear, but they are just dangerous enough to not want to mess with either. If one walks in your house, I would guess their reaction is probably more along the lines of “What the heck are you doing in my house? Get out of here and don’t break anything.” rather than a moment of joy. I think that generally speaking, any wildlife can get tiresome when it is around all the time. Nah. Koalas are pretty elusive creatures. They’re all around us but up high in trees and not often seen up close. A close up koala sighting is cool. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/30 "2018-07-09T22:18:30Z")
[hey **Richard** how ya been?] ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/31 "2018-07-09T22:21:19Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Nah. Koalas are pretty elusive creatures. They’re all around us but up high in trees and not often seen up close. A close up koala sighting is cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ‘moving’ koala. Mostly they’re asleep in the crook of a branch doing absolutely nothing. Trying to get kids enthused about spotting one is pretty pointless. Now 'roos and wallabies on the other hand…they DO stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/32 "2018-07-10T00:31:01Z")
I live in an inner Canberra suburb (the same suburb where the Prime Minister’s official residence is, so not exactly out in the country), yet we regularly have kangaroos in our streets. In fact last Saturday there were 2 at our local playground. They come down from a nearby reserve on Red Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/33 "2018-07-10T01:09:17Z")
I’ve seen them between Belconnen Mall and the university. But with new hospital and the suburbanisation of Lawson, that will be a thing of the past. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/34 "2018-07-10T05:22:35Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > [hey **Richard** how ya been?] Good thanks Leo! **kambucta** , true. They don’t do a whole lot unless you happen to come across one looking for a drink. This was at [Kangaroo Island.](https://photos.app.goo.gl/u85NbAQZUjNWYvum8) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/35 "2018-07-10T05:29:38Z")
[Before he ran off.](https://photos.app.goo.gl/bswEhziDA49zYpmT6) ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/36 "2018-07-10T07:22:20Z")
I lived in Canberra in the 70’s on the edge of town (Torrens). Behind us was the bush. There were kangaroos all over. They often came into our yard. They would just jump over our fence. I never saw a koala outside of a wildlife refuge though. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/37 "2018-07-10T11:41:50Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > 😕 “Springeresque”? Sorry; the brawling koalas remind me of contestants on a reality talk show who inevitably start fighting on the stage, a la the Jerry Springer show. \*\*Francis Vaughn \*\*, I love that story. Not sure if I’d have the presence of mind. A former boyfriend of mine spent his childhood in Adelaide and every time I ever mentioned koalas his comment would always be “scratchy bastards”. I think someone here once said they’re “assholes”. 😛 I know they’re wild beasts who only \*resemble \* stuffed animals, but damn if they aren’t the cutest creatures. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/38 "2018-07-10T13:56:14Z")
[hijack, sort of, due to SerenDipitous[sup]TM[/sup] news story today] **Aussies: Why did authorities trap this croc in the first place?** **[Rangers capture mammoth crocodile after decade-long hunt](https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/rangers-capture-mammoth-crocodile-after-decadelong-hunt/news-story/0340de36849cee5787f34c5391385976)** _IT TOOK 10 years but rangers have finally caught the biggest croc in the Katherine River — weighing in at a whopping 600kg_. And what the heck does “a ten year hunt” mean? Was it the Great White Croc famous in Aussie myth and lore or something? [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/39 "2018-07-10T13:59:40Z")
What about dingos? Are they kept away from playgrounds? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494/40 "2018-07-10T14:17:50Z")
I’m pretty sure this OP is just itching to turn into **Ask an Aussie about Famously Weird-Ass Fauna in Oz** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-when-kangaroos-wander-around-in-canberra-where-do-they-come-from-now-on-aussie-slang/817494.md?page=3)