Koalas are native to Australia and have lived there for millions of years. They primarily inhabit the eucalyptus forests of eastern and southeastern Australia.
The eucalyptus forests provide both food and shelter for koalas.
Koalas are perfectly adapted to the Australian bush.
Evolution
Koalas evolved from wombat-like ancestors about 30 million years ago. Their scientific name 'Phascolarctos cinereus' means 'ash-grey pouched bear', though they aren't bears at all.
Koala Species
While there's only one recognized koala species today, there were several prehistoric species. Modern koalas can be categorized by their regions:
Queensland Koala
Generally smaller with silver-gray fur, found in northern regions.
New South Wales Koala
Medium-sized with browner fur, found in central eastern Australia.
Victorian Koala
The largest subspecies with thicker, darker fur for cooler southern climates.
Physical Characteristics
Koalas have several unique physical adaptations that help them thrive in their environment:
Paws
Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each front paw with thick padding and long claws for climbing.
Fur
Their thick fur protects them from both hot and cold weather, and acts as a raincoat.
Nose
A large, leathery nose helps them detect which eucalyptus leaves are edible.
Koala paws are perfectly designed for gripping tree branches.
The fur keeps koalas dry and insulated.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Koalas have fascinating behaviors and habits that make them unique among marsupials.
Daily Life
Koalas spend most of their time sleeping (18-22 hours per day) high in eucalyptus trees. They wake mainly to eat and occasionally move to another tree.
Diet
Koalas eat about 500g of eucalyptus leaves daily. They're very picky, feeding on only about 50 of the 700+ eucalyptus species.
Social Behavior
While mostly solitary, koalas communicate through various sounds and scent marking. Males have scent glands on their chest.
Fun Koala Facts
Baby Koalas
Called 'joeys', they live in their mother's pouch for about 6 months, then ride on her back for another 6 months.
Water Needs
Koala means 'no drink' in Aboriginal languages, as they get most water from leaves.
Brain Size
Koalas have one of the smallest brain-to-body ratios of any mammal, fitting in their skull like a walnut.
Fingerprints
Koala fingerprints are nearly identical to human fingerprints, even under a microscope.
