| From: | Chris Maxfield cmaxfiel@****.org.au |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Aboriginal Totems |
| Date: | Wed, 14 Jul 1999 02:13:32 +1000 |
>In a message dated 7/11/1999 8:46:30 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
>cmaxfiel@****.org.au writes:
> > Laugh. I almost snorted a cup of coffee all over my copy of MITS when I
> > read that passage. Badger? The Australian Aborigines follow a northern
> > hemisphere animal totem? I presume it's actually suppose to be Wombat
> > interpreted for non-Australians.
>
>You know, until you guys mentioned this, I never noticed this one. Cute, I
>must admit. Question is, the does the descrip match to "Wombat?"
Only in part. A wombat is a medium-dog sized, fat, digging, burrow-dwelling
marsupial that only looks vaguely like a badger (if you squint and only
look out of the corner of one eye). That basic similarity is the only
reason I could explain Badger used as an Aboriginal Totem. However, there
the similarities end. Wombats are plant eaters and although the males get
aggressive in breeding season a wombat could never be described, like
Badger is, with "fighter, hunter and capable of amazing savagery" -
although a wombat's large digging claws (same as a koala's large climbing
claws) can do some very serious damage.
For a picture and more info see:
http://mag-nify.educ.monash.edu.au/acps_animals97/wombat.htm
Chris
