Koala
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Koala (pronounced /kəʊˈɑːlə/; Phascolarctos cinereus), also known colloquially as the koala bear, is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia.
Etymology
The word 'koala' comes from the Dharug word gula, believed to mean "no drink". This is because koalas get almost all their moisture from the leaves they eat, and rarely drink water.
Description
Koalas are easily recognisable by their stout, tailless body; round, fluffy ears; and large, spoon-shaped nose. They have a body length of 60–85 cm and a weight of 4–15 kg. Males are 50% larger than females.
Habitat and Distribution
Koalas are found in habitats ranging from coastal islands and tall eucalypt forests to low woodlands inland. Their range extends from the Atherton Tableland west of Cairns in Queensland to islands off the coast of Victoria and South Australia in the south, and west to central and western Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Diet
Koalas primarily eat Eucalyptus leaves, and they are highly selective about what species of eucalyptus they eat. They consume up to 1 kg of leaves per day.
Behaviour and Lifestyle
Koalas are mostly nocturnal and spend their days sleeping in the forks of trees. They are solitary animals, with males having distinct territories that they defend from other males.
Conservation Status
The koala is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The main threats to their survival are habitat destruction, bushfires, and disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Koala
- Wikipedia's article - Koala
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