Apparently obesity isn't just for American's anymore... make that humans in general. First we have George, the greedy little pig as old British women would call him. This hedgehog was delivered to the Wildlife Aid centre in Leatherhead, England five times heavier than his natural weight. At 5lbs, George is dangerously obese and a testament to the fattening properties of garden insects, fruits and mushrooms.
Remind anyone else of this?
More of a trailer park tiggywinkle if you ask me.
Next we have Peaches, the fat baby wombat, from Tomerong, north of Sydney. In this series of caught-in-the-act photos, Peaches has become trapped in her caregiver's flower pots after eating all the flowers and then burrowing her way in.
This happened to Benny once after a night of drinking.
Credit for both stories to the premier scientific journal of the Old Continent, the Daily Mail, and NK for forwarding them along (who, for the record, knows that wombats are not British).
Life Science
Comments
i object to your use of the word "fat." it should be "of size."
Posted by: razib | January 3, 2008 1:03 AM
George is darling. Hedgehogs make me laugh anyway with their round bodies and tiny feet (and what must they think of me?) but George is just precious. He needs a hat.
Doesn't this have something to do with their hibernation cycle? I think I remember reading something about English hedgehogs in general, something about their not being able to eat enough before hibernation to ensure the adequate fat stores they need. Or something. Man I wish I could remember that link.
Posted by: Jenbug | January 3, 2008 9:29 AM
Jabba may have worked as a hedgehog instead of a frog. Spines instead of slime?
Posted by: Raging Wombat | January 3, 2008 9:51 AM
i think hedgehogs add about 30% to their bodyweight before hibernation and that inadequately fatty hedgehogs should not be allowed to hibernate, as they tend to get too cold. their quills don't afford much protection so they rely on adipose tissue to be their fur coat. that being said, george needs a stomach staple.
Posted by: Andrew | January 3, 2008 10:15 AM
After seeing these pictures I believe I will pass on that second piece of pie! LOL!
Dave Briggs :~)
Posted by: Dave Briggs | January 3, 2008 5:42 PM
the alternative mascot for the 2000 Olympics was Fatso The Fat-Arsed Wombat. I'ld wondered what he'd been up to, since.
Posted by: Drhoz! | January 4, 2008 3:49 AM