Sneaking off to the zoo isn’t exactly an easy (or feasible) way to spend your lunch break, especially when that zoo happens to be in Sydney, Australia — requiring, at the very least, a boat ride to get to the Taronga Zoo, if you live in the city. Or, if you’re like me and live in the States, a 21-hour plane ride.

Actually spending an afternoon there may not be possible for most of us, but if you’re craving a 5-minute mental vacation, these photos from the zoo can help transport you. (Plus, how can you not feel at least a smidge better when you see these adorable little faces?)

Now, without further ado, onto the photos! Full disclosure: I’m a rusty tour guide at best, but I tried to include random facts whenever possible.

Koalas have 2 fewer sets of ribs than most mammals — 11, compared to 13 — making it easier for them to curl up in trees (or wherever they may be).

Kangaroos can’t walk backwards.

Wallabies, like this sleepy little fellow, tend to live just 9 years in the wild, according to National Geographic.

Laughing kookaburras only get up to about 16.5 inches tall, but they’re known for eating snakes up to double their size!

Yes, as in, this little guy eats 3-foot-long snakes!

Who’s laughing now? Lil’ bird means BUSINESS.

Speaking of creatures that mean business, have you seen the arms on this red kangaroo? He’s jacked. (Red ‘roos are the largest type of kangaroos.)

Quick: A look from the zoo to check out the Sydney Opera House. Pretty awesome, right?

Oh, look. Just a pelican, lounging by the water. (He can hold up to 3 gallons of water in his bill.)

“Hello from the other siiiiiide…”

This wee little pygmy hippo is the OG introvert. (He’s reclusive and nocturnal.)

This little guy only grows to about 39 inches tall. That slick, oily look to his skin? It’s “blood sweat,” which sounds much more disgusting than it actually is. It’s really more of a built-in sunscreen the animal secretes to protect his thin skin.

This bird is not to be trifled with, clearly.

Can you even?! This is Rigby, the red panda. You can find even more absurdly cute photos of him here.

This giraffe seriously only wanted to lick the walls. All day, every day. Hope the snozzberries taste like snozzberries, pal!

Wombat! He may look pudgy, and yes, he waddles as he walks, but wombats can run up to 25 miles per hour. Seriously.

 

Lake Placid was real, y’all. Or at least it could be in Oz.

One last glance of the view from the Taronga Zoo. Beautiful (albeit with a slight Jurassic Park vibe), isn’t it?

 

Photos: Nathan Davison