Port Douglas: The Rainforest Habitat

I have already written a bit about the Rainforest Habitat from the field, but I wanted to add some details and some photos. For the previous post, you can link directly to http://sporkful.blogspot.com/2008/09/port-douglas.html.

For their official site, visit http://www.rainforesthabitat.com.au/.

The big attraction here was that we could hold the koala. Most places where they offer koala pictures, you are just near the koala. Here it actually rests on your arms, though they do it so quickly that I don't actually have a memory of it. The problem is that they are taking your photo and they are trying to get you to look and smile. I would advise focusing on the koala, because it just goes too fast.

They are adorable creatures, but not terribly social and cuddly. Also, They sleep twenty hours a day, so they aren't very energetic either. We were lucky because as they were doing the keeper talk Gumnut woke up and started showing off a bit, growling and asserting his male dominance (they are fairly territorial), so we got a good idea of how they move and sound. They do not sound like they look. They make very guttural noises, that sound like something bigger. It's kind of like a cross between a pig and a bear, if you can imagine that.

I am including a picture of him, and some of the crocodiles. The crocodiles are impressive to me in terms of just how invisible they can become. The next day on our river cruise, it was even more apparent, and the ones we saw there were not even trying to hide. One apparently grabbed a camper in Queenstown the day before we left Australia. I say apparently because they did not find any remains. You need to respect them.

I also have a picture of a cassowary. These highly endangered birds make the rainforest what it is through their seed distribution. They are also pretty good in a fight. You might think it is the bony crest on their head, but those claws are also very powerful.

I considered the Rainforest Habitat to be a good value. Regarding the Breakfast with the Birds, that was also good, but you need to remember that it will be pitched combat with the birds and decide if you are up for it. Regardless, they have some great animals, you get in close, and the keepers were really knowledgeable about the animals. If you are in Port Douglas, it is worth a visit.