301
302

questionAre drop bears real? (self.australia)

__shitsahoy__ が 投稿

As an American volunteering near trafalgar east at an outdoor camp, I feel like my coworkers only tell me this to tease me and whatnot. Are they real and if so why have I not seen any proof of it?

全ての 157 コメント
並べ替え:
ベスト
ベスト
トップ
新着
注目
論争中
古い順

[–]AmmianusMarcellinus 338 ポイント339 ポイント  (34子コメント)

As an Aussie, I can say with 100% certainty they are real.

The only known defense is to smear Vegemite on your head as a deterrent when going bush walking. No joke, this works every time.

[–]craftymethodWhere's a Federal ICAC? 27 ポイント28 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Lol... vegimite is something only what people say to make fun of people. Just don't go around gum tree's at night and take a torch and make sure there arn't any of the bastards waiting on low branches.

[–]HeadacheCentral 52 ポイント53 ポイント  (5子コメント)

On your head? You're pulling the foreigners leg - you have to rub it on your genitals and belly to ward off drop bears.

Hell, to be safe, just rub it everywhere.

[–]Always_Leaves_You_Ha 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (4子コメント)

For extra protection stick a fork in your hair.

[–]complex_reduction 9 ポイント10 ポイント  (0子コメント)

The glint of the sun off the forks confuses them, makes it seem like the reflection off moving water which they avoid.

[–]DemocrabCorruption from Politicians? Australia says No. 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (2子コメント)

That's not a fork, it's a spoon

[–]TheBlitzEffect 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I see you've played forkey-spoony before, then

[–]dilbot2now under two years to go, hang in there! 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Nonono - first you spoon, then you fork. Isn't this taught at school any more?

[–]92037 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I was always told about the Vegemite defense but never really believed it. Sounded like bullshit. Then one weekend my mates and I are bushwalking and they have the Veg on their hats and I was the one that got attacked.

I have never gone in the bush without a jar close by since.

[–]kittysparkles 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

American here, can confirm. I like to carry a couple Violet Crumbles with me as well, to distract them after they fall. I cover them in concentrated levels of medicinal quality Eucalyptus so they'll fall asleep after.

Or, I just got back on my Freedom Eagle and fly away.

[–]JediCapitalistI get that fizzy feeling now I'm lemonade[M] 217 ポイント218 ポイント  (21子コメント)

Yes, absolutely. They are real, and a serious danger to Australian society.

[–]andylovescatsanddogs 87 ポイント88 ポイント  (4子コメント)

I think their danger is overstated. We've also got loads of venomous snakes and two or three dangerous spiders, but it doesn't affect our day-to-day lives as much as people joke about here. Same goes for the drop-bears. You stay out of their territory (or don't do anything to provoke them when you're in it), and you're fine.

[–]JediCapitalistI get that fizzy feeling now I'm lemonade 43 ポイント44 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Maybe, but it's the sheer brutality of their kills, and the nature of the cruel joke in our society that tricks foreigners into doubting their existence, that make drop bears stand out above all.

[–]Dale92 16 ポイント17 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Easy enough to say just don't provoke them, but most of the time they'll just jump out of a tree unannounced. I've seen it happen to a good friend of mine. Bloody awful sight.

[–]ScoobyDoNot 9 ポイント10 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Man please don't blame yourself, it was him or you, he gave his life so you could escape.

[–]Dale92 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I knew I was alright cause I rubbed vegemite into my hat. He laughed at me for it...

[–]LuckyBdx4Does the name Pavlov ring a bell? 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Saw one in Toormina Gardens last week, but then again it might have just been a local.

[–]Firetruckin 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Almost as dangerous as our politicians. If only vegemite could deal with them to :(

[–]__shitsahoy__[S] 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (13子コメント)

Are there any pictures of these drop bears? Iv only seen drawings online

[–]Abiro 32 ポイント33 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I'm sure there are some photos lurking about but unfortunately if you're close enough to take a picture of a drop bear then its probably a bit too late.

[–]JediCapitalistI get that fizzy feeling now I'm lemonade 18 ポイント19 ポイント  (7子コメント)

It's a bit worrying you haven't been reading the National Museum and Journal articles people are linking you because there are pictures available.

like this one from this journal on how to track the buggers.

[–]__shitsahoy__[S] 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (6子コメント)

Sorry Iv seen those before, it just doesn't seem like something that's real. I have a lot to learn. Also I'm on my phone so that doesn't help

[–]JediCapitalistI get that fizzy feeling now I'm lemonade 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (5子コメント)

You can see from the sunlight glare in picture b that it's not just a painting or something though right?

Just remember to look up when you're out of camp.

[–]__shitsahoy__[S] 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (4子コメント)

Yes but from why Iv read they're supposed to be a lot bigger than a regular koala bear, and who knows photoshop does wonders. But what do I know I'm just an American

[–]JediCapitalistI get that fizzy feeling now I'm lemonade 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (1子コメント)

What? Look at the size of the thing!? It's no mere koala.

And yeah you're American, that's part of the problem and you should read this Australian Geographic article on how that makes you a scientifically proven greater risk than the locals to suffer an attack.

[–]ShardikOfTheBeam 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

What? Look at the size of the thing!? It's no mere koala.

Oh yeah! there's so many ways of identifying it's size in those pictures! you see those branches in (a)?? Those are as thick as a human leg.

[–]joonix 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

How have you gone your entire life thinking "I've" is spelled "Iv"..?

[–]gisallboo 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Don't call Koalas "Bears", they hate that

[–]complex_reduction 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (0子コメント)

So many people think drop bears a joke or a myth, there's never been proper funding into research. As deadly as they are, it's easier for the Government to pass off the deaths to dingoes or feral pigs. Too few people give a shit about rural Australia. It's a god damn disgrace.

[–]wisty 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Juveniles look pretty much like big koalas, and can easily be mistaken for them. Here's a video of one attacking (it's on the ground, not dropping) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6hLIP06I_8

They aren't that dangerous on the ground though, because they are slow moving ambush predators.

[–]hippity_dippity123 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Drop bears are elusive by nature, and when they suddenly descend from the trees in the 'drop' like fashion, people don't usually stick around to take photos.

[–]stibbons 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

No, there are no surviving dropbear witnesses.

[–]evilbrent 125 ポイント126 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Jesus.

Don't fucking start this again.

You know how many idiot foreigners we lose every day to the idea that drop bears are a myth? Fuck. We're getting sick of sending your remains home.

Don't. Fuck. Around. With. Drop. Bears.

[–]Spacesider 23 ポイント24 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Everytime a thread like this comes up, a part inside me dies. How can people not know about drop bears? They are very much real and a serious problem.

Do people think this is a joke? Because there is nothing funny about this. Be safe when travelling in Australia.

[–]Appersonation 64 ポイント65 ポイント  (3子コメント)

I can't believe people still post questions asking about drop bears. I really wish Steve had done that episode on them before he died. :(

[–]compiling 45 ポイント46 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Steve wasn't stupid enough to fuck around with drop bears.

[–]whimsicalsteve 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Pretty sure it was the drop bear that got him anyway. He was filming the drop bear episode right after the stingray one. The drop bear got him and the government made the producers pin it on the stupid stingray. I mean, who'd be frightened of a freak accident stingray? Now a drop bear, that would end tourism in Australia as we know it.

[–]d3rtus 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

He wasn't allowed to by the Australian government, at the behest of the tourist industry groups. That's why there's this persistent notion spread by them that drop bears aren't real and are just a myth. They don't want to scare the tourist $$$ away.

[–]Distinguished_Cunt 85 ポイント86 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Any cunt who tries to tell you fuckin' yanks that drop bears aren't real can take a fuckin' gander at my missus mate, she copped a beauty on the back of the noggin and I'll be fucked if she's not missin' a bunch of bark off.

Those little cunts are vicious. I got red bellied blacks in my woodshed I don't give a fuck about but them drop bears are trouble.

[–]PiNzero 20 ポイント21 ポイント  (2子コメント)

This cunt right here.

[–]attackslugs 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Fuck.

[–]seldor 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

*Fark

[–]aussiegreenie 51 ポイント52 ポイント  (1子コメント)

What a silly question. Here us the Australian Museum explanation.

[–]Always_Leaves_You_Ha 10 ポイント11 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Further reading.

[–]DAMNATiON182 29 ポイント30 ポイント  (5子コメント)

I accidentally ran over a dropbear the other day. My tire needed replacing.

[–]Procks1061 14 ポイント15 ポイント  (2子コメント)

My uncle did that once he thought he killed a koala and got out to check the carcass it was a drop bear. When he turned it over with his boot it shredded the boot before running off. Thank god it was too injured and it had to run off or else it would have probably killed him.

[–]eateggsAN ABBOTT ATE MY BABY 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Your uncle got off lucky! Don't hear of too many encounters that end in survival.

[–]DemocrabCorruption from Politicians? Australia says No. 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (0子コメント)

That's partially why a lot of people manage to convince others that they don't exist, because it's so rare to find someone whose seen one and lived.

[–]BestiaAuris 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

What about the rest of the car? I'm surprised it wasn't wrecked...

[–]Shezzam 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Shit! Is that all? Your car was still operational! You must have hit a baby. Wouldn't like to be you!

[–]PM_ME_YOUR_FORTRESS 23 ポイント24 ポイント  (3子コメント)

They're real, think a cross between a Tasmania Devil and a Koala.

[–]Dale92 10 ポイント11 ポイント  (2子コメント)

But add aggression, bigger teeth and sharper claws. Ain't nothin to fuck with.

[–]johnnynutman 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (1子コメント)

like my ex-wife.

[–]Spacesider 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (0子コメント)

See this guys? EX wife. Drop bears are serious.

[–]rainbowplethora 24 ポイント25 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Of course they're real. Your coworkers are just trying to look out for you.

Look up. Stay alive.

[–]bob85m 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Works for powerlines too...

[–]tilsitforthenommage 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Power lines may just stop a drop bear but I wouldn't risk it

[–]Volcanopyre 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (0子コメント)

We really need to get Neil DeGrasse Tyson to do an episode of Cosmos covering Drop bears so people stop doubting us.

[–]thecoldwarmakesmehot 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

American here. Lived down under for 3 years. Can confirm those little cunts are real. The sound they make whilst mating is akin to the Devil trying to shit when constipated. Still get nightmares.

[–]Priapraxis 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Yes. Is this a serious thread?

[–]attackslugs 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I don't really think someone's safety is something to be fucked around with, so yes, unless reddit really is just an immoral sess-pool of arsholes, yes this is a serious thread.

[–]theryanmoore 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Ain't that the truth.

[–]attackslugs 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

hahaha yes it is.

[–]Supersnazz 60 ポイント61 ポイント  (1子コメント)

99% bullshit. Aussies like to tell you to put Vegemite on your head, that they are really common etc. It's all bullshit to scare tourists. While they do exist, there is no real deterrent other than being careful. At most there are maybe 20-30 serious injuries, and maybe 3-4 deaths a year, so it's unlikely to be a problem. Nearly all encounters will be minor, maybe some scratches and bruises. Even though they can be aggressive, most of the time they are more scared of you than you are of them.

[–]Sleazyridr 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

To be honest, I think that their aggression is overstated. They mainly feed on smaller animals, so they're probably scared if something as large as a human. Just stay alert and try not to startle one.

[–]Gman777 15 ポイント16 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yes, goddamit. Same question every few weeks.

[–]complex_reduction 13 ポイント14 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Sometimes people make fun of foreigners by pretending drop bears don't exist, because the look on your face when you get dropped for the first time is hilarious. Out in the bush though, you need to be careful, they can grow to dangerous sizes in more remote areas.

[–]has_not_been_deleted 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (0子コメント)

These signs used to be posted all over the airport as you arrive, but colleagues that have just come here said they didn't see them. If you ask at the information desk they should be able to give you more information on them before you leave the airport.

http://gardendrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/drop-bear-warning.jpg

[–]GFandango 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (0子コメント)

My son-in-law was telling me apparently a group on the internet tried to convince people that drop bears are fake, saying it is a myth or hoax as a prank which is very irresponsible and dangerous.

People are unaware of the dangerous of Australia so it's similar to telling a little kid that the ocean is perfectly safe and the sharks are a myth.

So be cautious and stay safe. They are not any more dangerous or likely to harm you than most other wild animals, if anything probably less dangerous. The majority of incidents are scratches and bruises.

My grandfather used to say when he was a kid they used vegemite as a deterrent. I don't know how effective or true that is.

[–]legoman1743 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (0子コメント)

This guy. Asking a serious question and he gets all these responses yet doesn't believe that they are real. Too bad if you get caught by one, you'll be a fucked cunt if you do.

[–]Dantes_Comedy 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (1子コメント)

good luck, hope you bought repellant

[–]dexter311München! 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

If they forgot to get some, Vegemite behind the ears works in a pinch.

[–]Project_Independence 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

The people who post in here about drop bears not being real are just as bad as the anti-vaccination mob. The quacks that use the internet to "explain the truth" behind drop bears risk peoples lives. Absolutely disgraceful.

[–]t-berta 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

The way the tourism industry has managed to successfully cause doubt in the minds of travellers about the existence of drop bears is really the most Orwellian mind control I've ever witnessed by an industry. It's crazy to me how successfully they have managed to control the flow of information on them. Tourists generally won't encounter them due to their low numbers and removal from zoo's, but there is still some info out there if you look hard enough, plus the majority of locals are still well aware of them.

[–]Tom_Friday 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Stroothin bloody oath they're real, cobber.

[–]jamo1414 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Interesting. That's not far from me. What's the name of the camp?

[–]Rocket86 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Drop bears are pretty tame compared to hoop snakes. Those fuckers are fast!

[–]Gunnersbrah 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yeah matey, and believe you me, you don't wanna fuck with the little buggers. It'll be lights out before you know it.

[–]jumpjumpdie 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I'm going to go ahead and say, yes. They are real.

[–]RevenantCommunity 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

yes. the horrifying sounds I hear at night when I'm at our shack in the bush... you have no idea

[–]shooterx 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Dude that place is literally like 10 mins from my place, what are you doing there?

[–]jstokes45 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

American checking in here. Spent about half a year on work and holiday visa down mostly in Torquay being a surf bum.

I never saw one, but there was a longer route we had to take to only decent pub, since there was one rumored to be in an area that was more of a straight shot to the pub.

There were some serious markings on the trees down that way, but I never dared get any closer than a block or so.

Enjoy your time down there. I had some of the best days of my life there.

[–]laz10 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Not just drop bears we have birds that swoop down and land on your head pecking or clawing as they see fit.

Happened to me while riding my bike, magpie landed on my head, thank crocodile Dundee I had a helmet

[–]org000h 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Back in '12 some brave soul attempted to study them. Published their paper in the Australian Geographer too (Volume 43, Issue 4, 2012 if anyone is interested):

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00049182.2012.731307#.VA24WmSSzrc

Traverse at your own peril.

[–]bringharmony 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

yup

enjoy your time in our great land :)

[–]compiling 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

They're real. Foreigners tend to confuse them with koalas, which is why there's rumours that they are made up (and why the proof tends to be dismissed). Don't be fooled. They are a serious danger to anyone off hiking - especially if they are alone.

Stay safe out there.

[–]pterofactyl 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I don't understand why so many people think drop bears aren't real. you guys can believe we have spiders that kill you instantly and all that, but for some reason a drop bear is out of the question? it's literally a bear that drops from trees, what's so hard to believe about that? it pisses me off how often people think i'm a liar when i mention a drop bear but find it easy to believe in blue ring octopuses

[–]I_Survived_2012_AMA 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I only ever saw one once. We didn't really get close to it coz it was eyeballing us. Kinda creepy as fuck when they look right at you, even when they're far away. It disappeared before we could get a photo of it. I think that because they're ambush predators they retreat if they think they've been spotted, I'm no expert though.

I'm glad we don't get them where I live. Spiders and snakes are pretty chill if you respect their personal space.

[–]hippity_dippity123 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yes

[–]haggalishus 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I've had a gutful of this nonsense about drop-bears being a myth. Tourism Australia does its best to keep it quiet, I'm sure, because the reality would reduce tourism significantly.

[–]TruBlue 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

It's coming up to mating season. Look up and look out!

[–]HypothesisFrogSoftly softly catchy monkey 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

They're a serious problem for unwary tourists, that's for sure.

[–]Anomaly11C 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

As an American, I hope this is a fake post making fun of Americans. Even I know dropbears are real mate, and the only Aussie I know is the cunt in the Outback Steakhouse commercials.

[–]Mickaloni 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

American who lived in Brisvegas for two years. Yes, drop bears are indeed real. Also look out for hoop snakes. They will literally bite their own tail to form themselves into a circle shape and roll after you. And those buggers are FAST. Just be glad you're not a Kiwi...

[–]Wordygit 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Of course they are real. Why do you think the Germans had those pointy bits on top their helmets?

[–]Occams_Razors 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

As an American that studied in Australia, I will tell you those assholes are real. I was just going to class and it came out of nowhere.

[–]Questionssm 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yes I have seen it on the internet.

[–]type_et_al 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Beware of the hoop snakes also!

[–]SixBeanCelebes 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Attempts to warn foreigners aren't helped by Wikipedia's listing for them including that they are fictional.

[–]anth13 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

yes, and yes

[–]Shezzam 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Yes, they are. Perth is undergoing a drop bear attack at this time. Stay away from trees they live in.

[–]d0_op 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

yeah there are a bunch of trees that have Lost branches around the place or fallen over. homes without power etc. news is saying "a storm" but that's just so it doesn't affect tourism. this should be the last big assault til winter next year. good thing most people come here in summer.

[–]Shezzam 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I don't know about it being the last one... it's been a while since we've had a proper rampage and, well, it IS mating season! Stay safe friend.

[–]thesilverblade 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Take it from me, they are real and truly terrifying. When I came to Australia from the US, I didn't think drop bears were real. After landing in the Sydney airport, I was walking to the rentals when this drop bear fell from a tree and landed just feet from me. It scared the shit out of me, I've never ran so fast in my life. Those things are vicious, you've got to be careful anywhere where they might live.

[–]globaltourist -3 ポイント-2 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I lost a friend to one last year, viscious fuckers

[–]__shitsahoy__[S] 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

That's only a painting. I have yet to see an actual photo

[–]FrightenedOfSpoons 22 ポイント23 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Good luck on the photo. There are only two kinds of people: those who have never seen a drop bear, and those who are dead.

[–]vforbatman -1 ポイント0 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Remember when a dingo took that ladys baby? Actually a drop bear. The government came up with the dingo cover up because if it was revealed that a drop bear took the baby, Australia would have lost about $3billion in tourism every year.

[–]butters1337cynical prick -1 ポイント0 ポイント  (1子コメント)

They're as real as hoop snakes.

[–]Khalexus 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Speaking of, hoop snake season will be here shortly.

Just a friendly reminder to keep an eye uphill at all times if you're out in the hilly countryside.

[–]ladyb__ 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Are you working at The Summit Adventure Park? Or Delhuntie?

[–]__shitsahoy__[S] 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yes I'm working at the summit, it's a great place