Koala

Koalas

       Koalas are actually marsupials, closer related to wombats and kangaroos.

Wombat

        Koalas are found in coastal areas of the mainland's eastern and southern regions, inhabiting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

        Koalas have special physical characteristics that support their tree-dwelling lifestyle. They have a body length of 50-85 cm and weight 4-15 kg. With two opposable digits, their forepaws are well-adapted to gripping branches and picking eucalyptus leaves. Tough textured skin on the soles of their feet with long sharp claws provide tranction and strong muscles help in climbing. Extra thick fur on their bottoms at the base of their backbone provide cushioning so they can sit comfortly on branches for hours. They also have a curved backbone and fewer pairs in ribs than most mamals (11-13) that creating a curled skeletal structure that fits into the branches of tree.

Koala's skeleton

      Koalas have special adaptations that enable to feast on eucalyptus leaves. They use their excellent sense of smell to select the best taste. Eucalyptus leaves are highly fibrous and poisonous to other animals but koalas have bacteria that can break down the fiver and toxic oil which allow them to absorb 25% nutrients. To survive on such a low calories diet, they conserve energy by moving slowly and sleeping around 20 hours/day.

Koala's eating eucalyptus leaves

  Koala's pregnancy lasts 35 days. When their baby (called Joey) is born only 2 cm long. It is hairless,blind and undeveloped ears. But it has very strong forelimbs and an instinct to climb from birth canal into mother's pouch. There the baby can found the nipple which swells that can keep joey stay in place. A joey spends 6 months more in the pouch.