Australia: It Really Is Out To Get You

Most surprising headline of the day: wombat mauls camper.

As the article notes, this is highly unusual behaviour for the species, and I feel bad for the wombat as well as the camper it attacked. Perhaps it's just more proof that Australian wildlife is mean!

I guess I should add wombats to my list of wild animals to warn tourists about, along with magpies, kangaroos, koalas and possums. (I mean, we also have snakes and spiders and crocodiles, but I like to think that those are pretty obviously not to be patted.) I really mean it about the kangaroos, though - most of the time they're placid and even friendly, but if a dominant male thinks you're getting fresh with his harem, he may try to disembowel you. Part of the national park near where I grew up was closed off for several years after a local 'roo did this to a tourist.

At least the kookaburras just want your lunch. Although who knows what Hitchcockian plans they have brewing?