Drop bears are a fictional creature from Australian folklore, described as large, predatory marsupials related to koalas that supposedly drop from trees onto unsuspecting prey. They are often portrayed as fierce and carnivorous animals about the size of a large dog or leopard, with orange fur and dark mottled patterns, known for ambushing prey by dropping from heights up to eight meters. The legend is used mainly to scare or prank tourists, and no real evidence of their existence has ever been found; they are entirely fabricated as part of Australian humor and tall tales.
The mythology of drop bears includes suggested folk remedies to repel them, such as putting Vegemite behind the ears or sticking forks in the hair, but these are part of the prank. Despite detailed stories about their behavior and habitat, drop bears do not exist in reality and are a humorous cultural myth.
