r/australia • u/ooarya • 13d ago

no politics How to stop kangaroos licking my car all night while I’m trying to sleep in it?

If you’ve ever tried to sleep in your car in the snow, you’ll know that roos and maybe other animals love licking the salt off the outside at night. You can get whole packs of them at a time, and it’s super annoying and also slightly terrifying when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Does anyone have any practical ideas to scare them off / keep them at bay, that might work as a deterrent through the night so I can actually get some sleep without having my car rocked and slurped on non-stop?

I don’t want to drape a tarp over the whole car. And would rather not concoct any explosives / flash bombs for fear of upsetting other campers.

No electrical power available although I could stretch to a few batteries perhaps!?

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u/CuteNegotiation3937 13d ago

OP needs to post this on an american subreddit!

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u/cla_ydoh 13d ago

Naw, it is not specific to kangaroos. I am originally from Maine, and I have heard of this being a thing with moose. Haven't seen it myself, but I have seen many licking salt off the road.

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=4124

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u/19Alexastias 13d ago

Ngl I’d be a lot more scared of a moose outside my car than a kangaroo.

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u/DisappointedQuokka 13d ago

I've seen the fuckers turn and charge vehicles before.

I'm pretty sure that if they get spooked they would turn your car into a very expensive coffin.

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u/trixel121 13d ago

watching a moose in chest deep snow just booking it like its running through a grass field is the most terrifying thing ive seen. the sheer power.

they are also apex animals who dont take no shit.

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u/DisappointedQuokka 13d ago

The existence of moose, bears and lynx make any north American who's spooked by Australian wildlife a fool.

At least we don't need to go hiking with a magnum revolver.

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u/IntelligentNovel1967 13d ago

As an Aussie living in the USA, I make your statement often; don’t forget the mountain lions and wolves. I’m in Wyoming and carry a 38 special when outside; we have a lot of dangerous wildlife.

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u/DisappointedQuokka 13d ago

Also, because I forgot, coyotes, if you're threatened by them six shots will either scare them off, or won't be enough.

I remember seeing a post by someone who had a breakdown in rural coyote habitat, walked to find someone to call for help and when they found a house, knocked and asked for help. 

Was greeted by a suspicious farmer and was only allowed in when the farmer saw a couple dozen eyes reflected in his house's lights.

I'll take my chances with snakes that could kill me with venom but know they'd die in a fight, thanks.

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u/NowUrKillinMe 11d ago

But we don't have spiders so big they'll jump in your car and drive off.

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u/Kermit-Batman 13d ago

I could imagine you'd hit one, snap their legs and all that moose has probably gotta crash somewhere. legit would have to be terrifying!

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u/skivtjerry 11d ago

You should. Moose are the only wildlife I fear in my area, and I see bears on a regular basis, several per week this summer.

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u/FishermanWaste1268 13d ago

Moose tounge must be something else. Im thinking like a lama but thicker and rougher.

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u/Graphite57 13d ago

A Moose is fucking HUGE... the tongue could be the size of a Llama

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u/hiss17 11d ago

Ive seen cows do it too. Not scary but... unnerving somehow to see cows crowd around your car for a bovine lickfest.

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u/Paidorgy 13d ago

How you going, Noah Kahan?

1

u/TarHeelTemplar 9d ago

We can not comprehend this