The koala is a little, leaf-eating marsupial from Australia, which many people recognize as quickly as the kangaroo. They are also called koala bears even though they are related to wombats more than bears. Part of this is because their faces are circular with round ears, big eyes, and fluffy ears like a teddy bear. I will say that I’ve seen the phrase used much less as an adult than I did as a child, so maybe it’s a kid thing.
Koalas was least as vulnerable until Australia listed them as endangered in 2022. Their population is between 100,000 and 500,000. Threats to the koala are the usual suspects due to humans living nearby. Many get hit by cars or killed by dogs. Habitat destruction is an issue since they can be very picky eaters even with eucalyptus species. Climate change is damaging the eucalyptus trees as well, so their only food source is not as plentiful. Finally, they have a major problem with chlamydia, which causes blindness and infertility. Populations being pushed into smaller territories makes this disease more likely to spread.
So, what are some fun koala facts?
- They have 5 digits on each hand with the front ones have 2 digits opposed to help with climbing.
- The hind paws have the 2nd and 3rd digits fused together to act as a grooming claw.
- Koalas are nocturnal, but usually sleep 18-20 hours a day.
- They sleep a lot because it takes a lot of energy for them to safely digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves, which give them very little nutrition in the first place.
- Each koala has a collection of home trees to create their territory. They are the only ones to visit these trees for food and rest.
- Females are fully mature by age 2 and males by age 3 or 4.
- Koalas get all of their water from the leaves they eat, but they will drink during droughts or fires.
- They have keen senses of smell, which allows them to pick out the best, most nutritious leaves on a tree.
- Males have scent glands in the middle of their chests to mark their territory.
- Males can live up to 12 years while females live up to 15.
- Babies are called joeys and are born blind and without ears, so they find the pouch by touch and smell.
- Babies stay in the pouch for 6 months before coming out to ride on their mother’s back.
- Koalas can eat 0.5 to 1 kilogram of eucalyptus leaves per night.
Now for the pictures and videos everyone enjoys.
Legends of Windemere 
Bush fires are also a terrible danger for koalas.
Like pandas and bamboo, it is strange that some animals evolve to only survive on one food, but perhaps for millions of years supply was not a problem!
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It is a strange adaptation, especially when the food is toxic and not very nutritious. I think you’re right that the foods were more common back then. Only explanation that makes sense.
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Hi Charles, this is a wonderful post about Koala bears. So sad what humans have done to the environment. Like you, I try to share information about wildlife to create awareness.
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Thanks. Really hope humanity can change course, but too many don’t care.
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We may have no option in the future.
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Depends on if we can reverse the damage. Earth will live on whether we make it or not.
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How can you resist that face?
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True. Though I’ve heard they have sharp teeth, so probably best not to boop their nose.
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Thank you, Charles. What a precious animal. The facts are as wonderful as the photos.
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You’re welcome. 😊
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Those are some great facts, and photos are wonderful.
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Thanks.
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They are adorable. Such a pity we can’t look after our wildlife better.
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Some people are trying. Then again, it isn’t our wildlife, which might be why so many don’t care.
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Possibly, but it’s all ‘our’ wildlife.
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They look so cute!
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I agree.
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