This gorgeous bearded dragon and I now play a daily game. I pretend not to look at her, and she pretends I can't see her. This is her favourite spot to warm in the sun. Yesterday I was on her side of the fence on the ride-on mower, and providing I did not look at her, I mowed right up beside her castle, and she just hunkered down. I've become very good at looking sideways while appearing to be looking straight ahead!
Isn't it wonderful that you two have worked out a copacetic relationship?! I've read in some zoos that (understandably!) some animals don't like to be stared at, and it's nice that they can be at ease and we enjoy them more if we always remember and respect that!
@helstor well funny you ask as if someone could be in a hide and video my antics to get these photos I'm sure it would look hilarious. I have to put the camera to my face while facing away and kind of meander around and snap fast as lighting on her for a moment as I pass by with my face as though I was not looking, just turning my head 😂
@elatedpixie@Weezilou thanks - yes indeed not making eye contact can be key, as can making eye contact! Some of the koalas are the same, if I look directly at them they will shrink behind leaves or trunk, so it becomes a real game to get a facial shot!
I have always been intensely interested in animal behaviour, so I get a huge kick out of my daily observations!
@koalagardens It's amazing! The koalas are so gentle. When I worked in the entertainment industry - if there was going to be any type of monkey on set... a warning was sent out so that absolutely no eye contact was to be made as it was a sign of aggression and well, they are not anything near docile. I fortunately, was never around that scenario. How wonderful your work must be. I live vicariously via your wonderful photos!
@elatedpixie so interesting about working with monkey on set! koalas are anything but gentle if you try to actually pick one up - they are capable of inflicting pretty serious injury (and I've seen this!) as those claws and teeth are incredibly sharp. But they are not even the least bit aggressive - a koala would never attack a human unprovoked, but would react strongly to being 'attacked by a giant'. It does make working in rescue and rehab interesting! However, they can be incredibly perceptive and will tolerate a lot of things being done to treat them when they are sick as though they know we are helping.
I marvel at how a koala will sigh and allow me to bathe infected eyes with saline, that must have been so painful. I'm honoured to share these creatures with you, thank you for being a part of this and appreciating what too many people miss in life!
I have always been intensely interested in animal behaviour, so I get a huge kick out of my daily observations!
I marvel at how a koala will sigh and allow me to bathe infected eyes with saline, that must have been so painful. I'm honoured to share these creatures with you, thank you for being a part of this and appreciating what too many people miss in life!