Maybe they were surprised at both things? Some people just don't understand how freaking inspiring and exciting-making nature is. :D I do the same thing when I see a new species of wild orchid in the bushland that I haven't seen before.

There were similar reactions to my explaining how tree kangaroos climbed without the benefit of the little instructional video

The answer is; 'not very well.' Those guys take more drops out of trees than just about any other tree climbing mammal/marsupial. It's hilarious. It's like they got hired for a job that no one is willing to fire them for, because they're so adorable.