Chocolate Bilbies for Easter
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382259)
Rockingham, Australia
March 14, 2016 1:12am CST
Anna (@LadyDuck) just commented that in Switzerland, the bear is the national symbol and at Easter you can buy chocolate bears. For a few years now, Australia has been selling chocolate bilbies. These were introduced as a fund-raising idea to help in the preservation and protection of these little marsupials, also known as rabbit-eared bandicoots.
They have compact bodies and are from 29 to 55cm in length. The forelimbs are strong as they may dig a dozen burrows a day within their range. They have large ears, long tails and long, silky fur. The tongue is long and slender. They eat fungi, insects, seeds, bulbs and fruit. Once found throughout Australia, they are now confined to isolated pockets in hot, dry, arid regions.
We saw them first-hand at Barna Mia, a wildlife sanctuary close to where our home farm used to be – and still is! Have you seen other chocolate animals or shapes this Easter?
17 people like this
17 responses
@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Nov 16
I didn't take much notice either. I'm trying to avoid looking at chocolate!
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
14 Mar 16
not odd animals but i did see a Pot Noodle easter egg recently - seen them bearing sweets but never a Pot Noodle before - rather revolting idea
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
14 Mar 16
@JudyEv basically a dehydrated soup reduced to powder in a big plastic cup to which you add boiling water - some are edible but not very nice
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
14 Mar 16
not much aside eggs and rabbits and the occasional carrot shaped chocolate
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv that or spring or something I guess lol
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
24 Mar 16
I have a friend who bought a business opportunity to be a Dove (brand) Chocolatier. I have not seen animals other than bunnies, but she has also made chocolate high heels. I found that different.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
Anything a bit quirky probably helps with sales. I bought a chocolate camel in Dubai to bring home to my brother.
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
14 Mar 16
It's a good idea to protect the bilbies, and hopefully bring more awareness to others. I didn't know much about them, and thank you for sharing.
Easter is not very popular in my country, and I haven't been going shopping for quite some time, hence I haven't seen any chocolate shapes yet. I remember seeing chocolate eggs and bunnies when I was in Australia. That was the first time I knew about Easter. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Mar 16
Chocolate kiwis!! How cool! Is it a fund-raiser for something? Did you know, on QI, they said the kiwi has the shortest beak of any bird because the measurement is from the nostril to the end of the beak and the kiwi's nostrils are at the very end of the beak? That's pretty cool too.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Mar 16
I think any and all animals can be found in chocolate form now days. But I'd prefer to bite off the ears of a bunny compared to the tail of any other animal LOL
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv I think I have seen that. I have to admit ever since they invented the remote control there aren't many commercials that I watch. Soon as they come on I flip.
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@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
Have you seen the cartoon of two chocolate bunnies facing each other? One has no ears, the other no tail. The tail-less one says 'my bum hurts' and the other one replies 'Wha..'? It comes on a email every year but I always have to laugh.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
15 Mar 16
At first glance I thought that you said chocolate bibles.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
What a cute critter he is. I think all we've seen is bunnies, eggs and lambs. I will have to pay attention at the store to see what else is available.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
14 Mar 16
I've seen bilbies before at the zoo and realized they're nocturnal creatures because of the setting they were placed in. They're super cute because they remind me of chinchillas - fluffy and nimble. I've only had chocolate rabbits and eggs for Easter.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
14 Mar 16
@JudyEv Yes and cool, you've been to our night safari. 
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
24 Mar 16
wow those are weird looking little critters. No, I have only seen bunnies, chicks and maybe ducks.
@teamfreak16 (43627)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Mar 16
No, just the usual chocolate bunnies. Of course, I haven't exactly been actively looking, either.
1 person likes this
