The Koala, or marsupial bear (scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus), is a herbivorous marsupial native to Australia and is the only surviving species in the family Phascolarctidae. Koalas are found along the eastern and southern coasts of the mainland, specifically in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Koalas are known for their climbing habits and leaf-eating, and they are considered one of the symbols of Australia. With their smooth gray fur, round bodies, and large ears, Koalas are regarded as one of the cutest animals in the world.
Koalas, or marsupial bears, typically measure between 63cm and 88cm in length and weigh around 13kg or less.
Newborn Koalas are less than 2.5cm long.
Newborn Koalas stay in their mother’s pouch for six months.
Koalas primarily eat eucalyptus leaves and rarely drink water.
In fact, Koalas are not bears.
A Koala sleeps about 20 hours a day.
Male Koalas mark their territory using scent glands located on their chest.
An adult Koala can consume about 1kg of leaves in one night.
Newborn Koalas are hairless, and their eyes and ears are closed. Koalas are primarily found in Australia.
Eucalyptus trees serve as both food and habitat for Koalas.
Koalas are not social animals and often prefer solitude.
Female Koalas give birth to only one joey each year.
They communicate through grunts or growls, and sometimes even yell.
They also have different types of fur in various regions.
Koalas reach full maturity in their fourth year of life.
Their bushy tails allow them to sit comfortably in trees for hours.
Currently, the declining population of Koalas is a concerning issue. Over the past 20 years, it is reported that at least 80% of the Koala population has disappeared due to climate change. The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has warned that only about 80,000 Koalas remain, insufficient for a sustainable breeding population, putting the species at risk of extinction.
A shocked Koala after being rescued from a fire.
Moreover, following the recent bushfire disasters in Australia, the Koala population has faced severe declines due to being burned, suffering heat stress, or losing their habitats. Images of Koalas trembling as they cling to tree trunks waiting for the fire to pass or appearing on roads begging for water from humans evoke deep sympathy for the consequences of the bushfires in Australia…
