gretchen andreasen

Thank goodness, she'll have so many future predation prevention plans!

A SURPRISE TO NO ONE. For the horrific (and I'm sure she'll complain scientifically accurate) elimination of Quokka and her joey #WorstMod is @mammalssuck.bsky.social with bonus points for ousting otter. (and 👑 for @midwesternmouse.bsky.social too) #2025MMM

Gravestone for an EJECTED quokka joey, dated 2025-2025 </3

All I can say is... #2025MMM

Alright, I am not saying #2025MMM reactions are predictable... but I also had this video at my hooftips...

PUMA POUNCES, QUOKKA BOUNCES! #2025MMM

Puma closes in on the pouch joey 'amuse-bouche' as quokka hop-sprints away from the field of battle!

#2025MMM

Quokka's pouch joey "flounders on the ground, hissing loudly"!

(Hayward et al., 2005) #2025MMM

EJECTING THE QUOKKA JOEY FROM QUOKKA'S POUCH!!!

(Hayward et al., 2005) #2025MMM

This entrance startles even the Quokka who panic leaps backwards, colliding with with the tree trunk even as her pouch muscles loosen...

(Hayward et al., 2005) #2025MMM

PUMA leaps into the scene landing in front of quokka!

#2025MMM

GIF depicting a close-up view of a quokka chewing on forage and looking quite pleased with itself. Image from Tenor.

Predator-naive from Rottnest Island, Quokka can not tell the dangers lurking in the shadows and scans her head to look around. #SweetSummerChild

#2025MMM

Returning to upright, Quokka discovers herself magically translocated to SoCal mountains... sitting at the base of a tree looking out at a pile of leaves, a strong carcass odor, and evidence of many comings and goings of numerous scavengers and predators.

#2025MMM

MEANWHILE, Quokka is grazing amongst the other quokkas and tourists eager for quokka selfies on Rottnest Island in Australia, bending down to snip some foliage...

#2025MMM

Puma slowly walks through the forest, approaching last week's the deer carcass site in the Santa Susana Mountains. Puma typically hunt every 1-2 weeks, routinely returning to carcass caches and successful kill sites.

(Ironside et al., 2017) #2025MMM

two men in suits and ties are standing next to each other and one of them is wearing a party hat that says teamwork . ALT: two men in suits and ties are standing next to each other and one of them is wearing a party hat that says teamwork .

Quick note before I continue! This battle was written by @mammalssuck.bsky.social with a little bit of my help! 🎉 #2025MMM

While marsupials tend to have smaller brains than other mammals, quokkas are *as good* or BETTER than dogs and cats at spatial learning.

(Bonney & Wynne, 2004) #2025MMM

YouTube video by PLOS Media Puma caterwauling

As solitary creatures, pumas have unique ways of communication. When they visit the same location as a previous puma, they can exhibit a wide variety of behaviors, including caterwauling (a.k.a. SCREAMING), to try and communicate long-distance.

(Allen et al., 2013) #2025MMM

Puma illuminated by a camera trap light, standing atop a log on a leaf-covered forest floor. Image from parliament0f0wls and natureinla on iNaturalist.

Quokka sitting on dirt-covered ground, looking incredibly round, with a young joey peaking it's head out of the pouch, holding it's forepaws together. Image attributed to Beaver, uploaded by ryber on iNaturalist.

Next Up: #2-Seed Puma (Puma concolor) vs. #10-seed Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) #2025MMM

QUOKKA OUTLASTS MARSH MONGOOSE!!!!! #2025MMM

COUGAR CRUSHES STAR-NOSED MOLE!!! #2025MMM

two men sitting next to each other with the words " teamwork makes the dream work " on the bottom ALT: two men sitting next to each other with the words " teamwork makes the dream work " on the bottom

I should mention, this battle is a collaboration with @midwesternmouse.bsky.social & myself! #2025MMM

PUMA in profile

so many furry potatoes in tonight's battle, but this one seems to have sprouted.

NEXT UP: #2 Cougar (Puma concolor) vs. Star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) #2025MMM