The Heat

Nicole in AUSTRALIA writes: "...At home in Victoria the temperature has been above 44 degrees all week and they are forecasting another week of 40+ temperatures.  Power is failing, trains have stopped running because tracks are buckling under the heat .  It's just scorching. Check out these photos of a little Koala which just walked  onto  a  back porch looking for a bit of heat relief.  The woman filled up a bucket  for it and this is what happened."

Comments

[c h r i s s y]

Smart critter! So cute too!

[Mick]

Incredible. I am in Victoria too Nicole and it really has been intense. This little guy sure is lucky, so many koalas have been lost in the fires, it really is devastating. It should be noted that it is 44 Celsius, which is about 110 Fahrenheit.

[SoleMusicale]

I emailed these pics to Chris too! Damn Aussie had to beat me to the punch! I hope you melt woman! ;) I still have the other pics that Chris didn't post, mmmmuuuaaahhhhh!!!!! That koala is too freaking cute.

[Matt Blank]

Cute but nefarious looking. Like he will sneak through your window at night and steal your sheets, or something like that.

[Natty]

That is too freakin' cute for words -- I love koalas!

[stevie]

My desert tortoise (in Phoenix AZ) has done this in his water bowl when it gets too hot in the summer. Poor little guys! Nothing cuter than a wet koala.

[Vicey]

He didn't turn up on the back porch The woman is a wildlife rescuer, and she currently has about 14 Koalas that she is caring for as they don't survive well in the heat. That one in the bucket was abandoned by it's mother at 9 months old. Koala babies usually stay with the mother until at least 12 months, and sometimes up to 15 or 16 months. This one will be released into bushland near her home once it is around the 12 month mark.

[Andrea]

Not to be totally lame, but I must admit...it took me a couple minutes to realize that because she was in Australia, the 44-degree weather meant 44 degrees CELSIUS.

Glad I figured it out. lol. And so glad this little Koala got some cool water and away from the heat!

[Rachael]

That is damn near the cutest thing I've ever seen! Poor little guy!

[Banananna]

I had a creepy hot tub neighbor that used to look at me the same way.

It's so obvious what he wants.

[ErKlaudia]

Sooo adorable! :D

[Sonia!]

CUUTE I love koalas!

LOL at Banananna

[oliver darque]

awww... i miss australia. =[

[Carli]

THAT IS SOOO CUTE!

[Dallas]

Koalas are actually really mean, they are always high on eucalyptus and they will eat your face off if you make them angry. Good thing that one is so young/tired because of the heat or it would be dangerous.

[rbootsie310]

This is definitely an amazing moment in Cute With Chris history! The cuteness is out of control!

[karlthekoala]

I saw this picture earlier this week, as I am fascinated by koalas and my fiance collects koala news stories for my amusement. I've learned a lot about koalas this way, and was grateful to know that after the poor joey dunked himself in the water he was picked up by people who know how to care for koalas. Koalas hardly EVER drink water, and are not fans of swimming, so when they do drink, it means they are in considerable distress. Rescuers report koalas eagerly drinking after they get caught in wildfires--this is the first incidence I've seen of the same behaviour related to a heat wave. Poor creature...

[Tova]

If I were a koala... Good FREAKING gosh, can you get any cuter than this?? Have you seen the fuzz on it's ears? I mean, really, have you taken a good long look at the fuzz?

It's no fair that Florida doesn't have cute marsupials. We have oppossums... How messed up is that? They are about as attractive as a babboon's ass! Why do you get all of the cute pouched critters? I would like a gray wallaby, please. ...And a tub of koalas. Yeah, a tub of koalas would be nice. Maybe if I am good I will get that for my birthday...

[Tova]

... Still dreaming of my tub of koalas...

And when I dreeeeeam, I dream of youuuuuuu. Maybe somedaaaaaay it will come truuuuuueee....

Sigh.

[Tova]

OK, maybe you all aren't really seeing this photo clearly... Once, again, may I point out the fluffy ears. Is it just me? It's breaking me, I can't take this kind of cute. I'm losing control of my bodily functions... I think I just peed a little...

[Tova]

Nope, not over the koala yet. Still want a tub of them.

[Tova]

Dammit! I feel one of my "in under 3 minutes killer animal poems" coming on.

I am so sorry, little guy. I adore you, but the mind wants what it wants...

"KOALA"
(A poem of death in under 3 minutes
by Tova)

White tufted ears, their fur is gray
If they get close, you'd better pray

...Koala

In coastal regions, they will feed
Slaying tourists, demon seed

...Koala

Cute and cuddly, draws them in
People lose, koalas win

...Koala

[Laura]

Just want to make a comment to any fellow Australians out there affected by the Victoria fires - everyone is thinking about you, and can't believe just how much has been destroyed. If you've lost any loved ones amongst the flames, know that we are all grieving with you. And many thanks to all the CFA and CFS crews who are trying to contain the damage.

[ithinkiatetoomuch]

look! I think he is going to the opera after he cools off, that is why he is wearing those above the elbow black gloves.

[Scott in L.A.]

The koala ate my face