Koala
Phascolarctos cinereus · Mammal, Vertebrate, Warm-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Phascolarctidae, Order Diprotodontia, Class Mammalia
Animal Category
Wild Animal
Breed / Variety
Phascolarctos cinereus cinereus (Northern koala), Phascolarctos cinereus adustus, and Phascolarctos cinereus victor (Southern koala)
Conservation Status
Vulnerable, with a decreasing population trend due to habitat loss, climate change, and disease outbreaks.
About This Creature
Stout-bodied arboreal marsupial with a large head, round fluffy ears, spoon-shaped black nose, and thick gray fur. Adults typically weigh between 4 and 15 kg and measure 60 to 85 cm in length.
Physical Characteristics
Lacks a tail, features long muscular limbs with sharp claws adapted for climbing, two opposable thumbs on forepaws, and rough pads on paws for gripping bark. Thick woolly fur acts as protection against rain and temperature extremes.
Behavior & Temperament
Solitary, nocturnal to crepuscular lifestyle, spending up to 20 hours a day resting or sleeping. Communicates through loud bellows and low-frequency grunts. Highly specialized diet and docile demeanor.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Eastern and southeastern Australia
Habitat
Eucalyptus forests and woodlands; Arboreal
Diet & Nutrition
Foliovore specialized almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. They extract water and nutrients from these toxic leaves, requiring very little additional drinking water.
Lifespan & Health
Lifespan is around 10 to 15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity. Threatened by diseases like chlamydia, habitat destruction, bushfires, and vehicle collisions.
Special Characteristics
Possesses specialized gut bacteria to digest toxic eucalyptus leaves, fingerprint patterns remarkably similar to human fingerprints, and a slow metabolic rate.
Ecological Information
Acts as an arboreal herbivore regulating eucalyptus foliage growth and cycling nutrients back into the forest floor via feces. Serves as an umbrella species for Australian eucalyptus woodlands.