A little while ago I had a billy tea moment (actually several minutes, but whatever). I was talking to a friend who'd been in Australia recently. She was ... impressed ... with the number (and size) of the animals that were capable of killing her there. She commented about the snakes and how she couldn't swim in the ocean because of sharks and box jellyfish. Drawing on what BT's told us here, I told her about the sea snakes. And the blue-spotted octopus. And the cuttlefish. And the large, poisonous jillifonts. She was suitably ... appreciative.

Later I emailed her because I'd seen a nature show that introduced another Australian that can (and will) kill you - the TREES. Seems the red gum trees are called "widowmakers" because they periodically - with no warning - drop large, heavy branches.

I think she's still in shock.

And, for the next time BT comes by, here's a new discovery: the chicken from hell.

(you're welcome)

I saw that chicken from hell. So cool!

omnis, that's a great story!

I would like to see Australia. From inside a Land Rover.

Later I emailed her because I'd seen a nature show that introduced another Australian that can (and will) kill you - the TREES. Seems the red gum trees are called "widowmakers" because they periodically - with no warning - drop large, heavy branches.

This is true. While you were all mocking The Happening, we recognised that its only flaw was assuming the plants were that subtle. (Usually, when we describe this for the benefit of overseas visitors, we find a way to blame it on the drop-bears.) Incidentally, I used to live on a street called Redgum Court. Because I am just that much of a bad-ass.

And, for the next time BT comes by, here's a new discovery: the chicken from hell.

Awesomeness! Sharing space with T. rex, no less. That's something of a new environment for this type of dinosaur. However, I am compelled to note that it was not the most formidable of its family. While Anzu weighed in at a respectable 300 kg, its Mongolian relative Gigantoraptor was a behemoth of 1.4 tonnes. [link] Here's a picture showing it to scale against a human and a VW Beetle, because why not: [link]

we find a way to blame it on the drop-bears

Are drop-bears real?

Are drop-bears real?

Aww, Connie. You've made my day.

Oh, by the way, there was another oviraptorosaurian, rather smaller than either Gigantoraptor or Anzu, that went by the excellent name of Khaan. [link] (Say it with me: KHAAAAN!)

I so wanted drop-bears to be real.

I so wanted drop-bears to be real.

Technically, any koala sitting on a branch launched by the Widowmaker would qualify as a drop-bear. (Except they're NOT BEARS.)

Australians, they've having the entire planet on. They're tucked down under the curve of the earth, laughing at us all.

Australians, they've having the entire planet on. They're tucked down under the curve of the earth, laughing at us all.

Hey, every day we risk death just walking out the front door. We take our humour wherever we can find it.