Drivers in Small Louisiana Town Shocked to See Exotic Animal in Roadway

(Ethel, Louisiana) - In Louisiana, we are accustomed to seeing wildlife on the road or alongside the roadways, but I don't think anyone would ever expect to see a wallaby on the road in Louisiana.

People often mistake these small exotic animals for kangaroos, but they are much smaller.

Wallabies, like kangaroos, are marsupial mammals in the family Macropodidae, which means they have an external pouch to carry their young.

What is A Wallaby?

The main difference between a wallaby and a kangaroo is their size. While kangaroos can grow up to or over 6 feet in height, wallabies grow up to only about 3 feet in height.

Both have very strong legs, and they prefer to move by hopping.

Well, a couple of drivers in the small rural community of Ethel, Louisiana, in East Feliciana Parish, recently came across a wallaby, and it didn't seem bothered by their presence.

A video posted on social media shows the animal standing on its hind legs, then hopping past a driver who got out of their vehicle to get a better look.

Facts About Wallabies

Wallabies often live alone, and they are primarily found in places like Australia, Tasmania, and Papua New Guinea. So, what is this wallaby doing in Louisiana?

At first, I thought it might have made its way here for the gumbo and seafood, but that isn't part of this exotic animal's diet. However, after reading comments on a social media video of the animal on the road, I learned there's a nearby wildlife area or park, and some locals suspect the animal may have escaped.

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To see the wallaby enjoying life in Louisiana, click the link below, and we hope he's returned safely to where he belongs.