Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

Vulnerable

The koala is a marsupial native to Australia, easily recognizable by its stout, tailless body and large, fluffy ears. Koalas have a distinctive nose that is large and leathery, which aids in their keen sense of smell. Their fur is thick and soft, varying in color from grey to brown, providing insulation against both heat and cold. Koalas are arboreal, spending most of their time in eucalyptus trees, which are also their primary food source. They are known for their sedentary lifestyle, sleeping up to 18-22 hours a day to conserve energy, as their diet of eucalyptus leaves is low in nutrients and high in fibrous content. Koalas are solitary animals, with each individual having its own home range that overlaps with others. They communicate through a range of vocalizations, including bellows and grunts, especially during the breeding season. An interesting fact about koalas is their highly specialized digestive system, which includes a long cecum that helps break down the tough eucalyptus leaves. Despite their sleepy demeanor, koalas are excellent climbers and can leap between branches with agility.

Quick Facts

Habitat: Eucalyptus Forests
Diet: Herbivore

Fun Facts

Koalas have fingerprints that are so similar to humans that they can confuse crime scene investigators!
Despite their cuddly appearance, koalas sleep up to 18-22 hours a day to conserve energy from their low-nutrient eucalyptus diet.
Koalas have a special digestive organ called a cecum, which helps break down the tough eucalyptus leaves they eat.
A baby koala, called a joey, is born the size of a jellybean and spends about six months developing in its mother's pouch.
Koalas communicate with each other using a range of sounds, from snores to bellows, that can be heard up to a kilometer away!
Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each front paw, which help them grip and climb trees with ease.
Each koala has its own unique scent, which they use to mark their territory and identify each other.

Test Your Knowledge

See how much you know about Koala!

In which type of habitat are koalas primarily found?
What is a distinctive physical characteristic of koalas?
What unique feature helps koalas grip tree branches?