Species: Phascolarctos cinereu
Koalas are iconic Australian marsupials, often confused with bears due to their appearance but they’re not bears at all? Koalas are actually marsupials, more closely related to kangaroos and wombats! Koalas have thick, soft fur that ranges from light to dark grey, with white patches on their chest, bottom, and ears and are known for their large black noses and small, expressive eyes. They have five digits on each hand — three function like fingers and two like oposible thumbs, perfect for gripping tree branches. Their feet are uniquely adapted for climbing, with two toes fused together and separate claws.
Koalas are herbivores with a highly specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves. They feed on leaves from certain species of eucalyptus trees, carefully selecting the most nutritious and least toxic ones. Koalas consume up to 500 grams of leaves daily, extracting both food and water from their diet. Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrients and high in toxins, but koalas have a unique digestive system with a long cecum and specialized bacteria to break them down.
The conservation status of koalas varies across their range in Australia. As of February 2022, the Australian government has listed koalas as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory due to significant population declines. These declines are primarily caused by habitat destruction, climate change, bushfires, vehicle collisions, dog attacks, and diseases like chlamydia. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their habitats and ensure the species' survival.
While you can't cuddle a Koala in NSW, at Featherdale Sydney you can get close to a Koala and possibly event pat one in our Koala Encounter.
Colony
Australia
60 to 85 cm
Joey
Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests and woodlands in the eastern and southeastern regions of Australia. They are arboreal animals, meaning they live in trees, primarily in tall eucalyptus trees. Their habitat range includes coastal and inland areas, with koalas often found in regions with a high density of eucalyptus trees, which provide both food and shelter. Koalas prefer areas with plenty of tree cover to help them remain hidden from predators and to maintain a cool, shaded environment.
Despite their small size, male koalas produce deep, resonant bellows during the breeding season to attract mates and establish territory. These calls can travel over long distances and are surprisingly loud, sounding more like a large animal than a cuddly marsupial. This unique vocalisation is made possible by an extra pair of vocal cords located outside their voice box, a rare feature among mammals.
Not Bears: Koalas are often called "koala bears," but they are not bears at all. They are marsupials, meaning they carry their young in a pouch.
Unique Fingerprints: Koalas are one of the few non-primates with fingerprints. Their fingerprints are so similar to humans that they can be mistaken for ours under a microscope!
Built-in Seat Cushion: Koalas have a thick pad of cartilage at the base of their spine, which acts like a built-in cushion, making it comfortable for them to sit on tree branches for long periods.
Eucalyptus-Scented: Koalas often smell like eucalyptus leaves, a result of their diet, which may help repel parasites and make them less appealing to predators.
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