Australian Museum

Comments

• It is often asked why Australians generally don't require the use of a smear of Vegemite to ward of attacks by Drop Bears. Hopefully this will help to answer that. Studies have shown that it is the by-products of the interaction between chemicals found in Vegemite and those found in human sweat that actually repel these animals. Most Australians or those immigrants who have lived here for some time tend to eat Vegemite consistently, usually at least once and often twice a day, so they exude these chemicals through their skin permanently and are thus protected. Visitors on the other hand don't have that "natural" protection and are therefore advised to apply a liberal amount to the skin, the best area being just behind and towards the top of the ear as this area is prone to sweating and is closer to the top of the head and hence any T. plummetus that maybe lurking in the flora canopy. While this is by no means a certain protection and constant vigilance is advised it is far better than no protection at all.