With their big furry ears and striking black noses, koalas are one of Australia’s most popular animals. But our furry unofficial mascots are under threat.
Although not yet classed as an endangered species, the koala’s habitat is being lost at a rapid rate. Koalas use trees for food and protection from predators and weather, so the clearing of trees for farming and housing has had an enormous impact on their survival.
A typical koala will eat around 500 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day. It is through licking the dew on these leaves that the koala gets moisture, as they don’t often drink water. The leaves provide very little energy so koalas conserve their energy by sleeping up to 18 hours a day.
Find out what you can do to help these eucalyptus-loving marsuipials here.
Despite the koala’s scientific name Phascolarctos cinereus, meaning ash-coloured pouched bear, it is not a bear but a marsupial.
A koala’s fur and size are dependent on the area in which it lives. Koalas from the north of Australia exhibiting paler grey fur than their southern counterparts.
The smallest koalas (around 5 kilograms) are found in North Queensland, while the largest (up to 10 kilograms) live in Victoria.