Mysterious creature in Aussie front yard baffles neighbours—what could it be?
- Replies 0
In the quiet suburban neighbourhood of Malvern East, Melbourne, a peculiar creature has been causing quite a stir.
A pair of neighbours were left scratching their heads when they stumbled upon an unusual animal in their front yard.
The creature, which they initially identified as a 'yabby', was far from their natural habitat, leaving the residents puzzled about its origins.
'A neighbour found this “yabby” in his…front yard,' a Melbourne resident posted to an online group for local naturalists.
'It’s got five pairs of legs including three pairs of nippers—and is about 15 cm long,' they said.
Now, while some harrumph at this story—’Has the SDC run out of things to share?’ some might ask—it’s another detail that was perplexing: the creature was found right smack in the middle of suburbia!
'No obvious signs of any burrows, but the house is on stumps. Also no free water within a kilometre, and the water table is at least two metres under,' the resident added.
But the mystery was soon solved when a marine expert from Museums Victoria confirmed that the creature was indeed a Common Yabby (Cherax destructor).
These yabbies are typically found in ponds, lakes, and other bodies of still water throughout south-eastern Australia. However, its presence in a suburban yard in Malvern East left people intrigued.
Theories about the yabby's unexpected appearance ranged from being an escaped pet, bait, or food to possibly being dropped by a bird.
'It’s definitely a Yabby…but possibly someone’s escaped pet, bait or food, or it could be natural, I’ve seen stranger things happen,' one person commented.
‘My best bet is it is an escaped captured one, intended for someone’s dinner, due to its size,’ another social media user said.
A third person wrote: ‘Maybe looking for a new dam or creek. They will travel a long way in cool or damp weather. Could possibly be an aquarium escapee, good on him if it is.’
‘I reckon a bird has dropped it mid-flight,’ someone guessed.
A Closer Look at the Common Yabby
The Common Yabby is a freshwater crustacean native to Australia. They are known for their hardy nature and ability to survive in various environments, from clear mountain streams to turbid, slow-moving waters.
They are also known for their ability to burrow into the ground during dry periods, which allows them to survive in areas with seasonal drought.
Yabbies are omnivorous and eat almost anything they can find, including plants, insects, and other small animals.
They are also known for their aggressive behaviour, often fighting with other yabbies over food and territory. This competitive nature could explain the missing claws or legs often found on yabbies, as they can lose limbs during these confrontations.
Despite their aggressive nature, yabbies are a popular choice for home aquariums due to their interesting behaviour and attractive blue colouring.
However, they are notorious escape artists and can often be found attempting to climb out of their tanks. This could explain the presence of the yabby in the suburban yard, as it may have escaped from a nearby home.
Yabbies are also a popular choice for fishing bait and are often used by anglers to catch larger fish. It's also possible that the yabby found its way into the yard after being discarded by a fisherman.
The Mystery Continues
While the mystery of the yabby's appearance in a suburban yard may have been solved, it has sparked a renewed interest in these fascinating creatures. Residents are now keeping a closer eye on their yards, wondering what other unexpected visitors they might find.
This isn't the first time yabbies have made headlines. Earlier this year, a video went viral on social media showing thousands of yabbies emerging from a river in remote western New South Wales.
So, next time you're out in your yard, watch for any unexpected visitors. You never know what intriguing creatures might be lurking in your backyard.
Have you ever found an unexpected creature in your yard, members? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
A pair of neighbours were left scratching their heads when they stumbled upon an unusual animal in their front yard.
The creature, which they initially identified as a 'yabby', was far from their natural habitat, leaving the residents puzzled about its origins.
'A neighbour found this “yabby” in his…front yard,' a Melbourne resident posted to an online group for local naturalists.
'It’s got five pairs of legs including three pairs of nippers—and is about 15 cm long,' they said.
A yabby was discovered in the front yard of a suburban home in Melbourne. Credit: Facebook
Now, while some harrumph at this story—’Has the SDC run out of things to share?’ some might ask—it’s another detail that was perplexing: the creature was found right smack in the middle of suburbia!
'No obvious signs of any burrows, but the house is on stumps. Also no free water within a kilometre, and the water table is at least two metres under,' the resident added.
But the mystery was soon solved when a marine expert from Museums Victoria confirmed that the creature was indeed a Common Yabby (Cherax destructor).
These yabbies are typically found in ponds, lakes, and other bodies of still water throughout south-eastern Australia. However, its presence in a suburban yard in Malvern East left people intrigued.
Theories about the yabby's unexpected appearance ranged from being an escaped pet, bait, or food to possibly being dropped by a bird.
'It’s definitely a Yabby…but possibly someone’s escaped pet, bait or food, or it could be natural, I’ve seen stranger things happen,' one person commented.
‘My best bet is it is an escaped captured one, intended for someone’s dinner, due to its size,’ another social media user said.
A third person wrote: ‘Maybe looking for a new dam or creek. They will travel a long way in cool or damp weather. Could possibly be an aquarium escapee, good on him if it is.’
‘I reckon a bird has dropped it mid-flight,’ someone guessed.
A Closer Look at the Common Yabby
The Common Yabby is a freshwater crustacean native to Australia. They are known for their hardy nature and ability to survive in various environments, from clear mountain streams to turbid, slow-moving waters.
They are also known for their ability to burrow into the ground during dry periods, which allows them to survive in areas with seasonal drought.
Yabbies are omnivorous and eat almost anything they can find, including plants, insects, and other small animals.
They are also known for their aggressive behaviour, often fighting with other yabbies over food and territory. This competitive nature could explain the missing claws or legs often found on yabbies, as they can lose limbs during these confrontations.
Despite their aggressive nature, yabbies are a popular choice for home aquariums due to their interesting behaviour and attractive blue colouring.
However, they are notorious escape artists and can often be found attempting to climb out of their tanks. This could explain the presence of the yabby in the suburban yard, as it may have escaped from a nearby home.
Yabbies are also a popular choice for fishing bait and are often used by anglers to catch larger fish. It's also possible that the yabby found its way into the yard after being discarded by a fisherman.
The Mystery Continues
While the mystery of the yabby's appearance in a suburban yard may have been solved, it has sparked a renewed interest in these fascinating creatures. Residents are now keeping a closer eye on their yards, wondering what other unexpected visitors they might find.
This isn't the first time yabbies have made headlines. Earlier this year, a video went viral on social media showing thousands of yabbies emerging from a river in remote western New South Wales.
So, next time you're out in your yard, watch for any unexpected visitors. You never know what intriguing creatures might be lurking in your backyard.
Have you ever found an unexpected creature in your yard, members? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
