10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Koalas
Posted by Anna on 7th Mar 2023
Unquestionably, koalas are among Australia's most well-known wildlife. It's easy to understand why, given that these adorable marsupials have the power to instantly melt the heart of even the hardiest person. And they're one of the unique critters in the world since they're an indigenous Australian species. These are ten interesting facts about koalas.
Koalas aren't bears; they are marsupials
Interesting facts about Koalas
When referring to these cuddly creatures, you may hear the name "koalas bears" being thrown around. Koalas resemble bears in appearance thanks to their large, black nose and round ears, but they actually have more in common with marsupials like the wombat.
Koala cubs are just too cute (this is, indeed, a fact)
Koala cubs, often known as "joeys," spend roughly six months growing inside their mother's pouch. They will then continue to ride on their mother's back for an additional six months, just using the pouch for feeding and sleeping.
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Southeast and eastern Australia are home to koalas: Interesting facts about koalas
Queensland, Australia
Although being a national emblem of Australia's distinctive biodiversity, koalas are only truly wild on the southeast and eastern coasts of the country, along the borders of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. They typically cling to the tree's forked branches as they live high up in the eucalyptus trees of native bushlands and woodlands.
They have a very understanding but
It takes a lot of support to live in trees and be squeezed between thorny branches! Fortunately, the koala's bent spine contains strong cartilage at the end that allows them to comfortably live in eucalyptus trees.
They are picky eaters: Interesting facts about koalas
Interesting facts about Koalas
Eating up to a kilogram of eucalyptus leaves per day, koalas are able to survive. Given that most animals are poisoned by eucalyptus, this is quite remarkable. The caecum, a unique fiber-digesting organ, aids in the leaves' chemical detoxification.
They only eat less than 50 of the 800 eucalypt species, proving to be rather selective eaters. Even still, they frequently select the leaves at the top of the tallest trees because they are more nutrient- and liquid-rich—only the best for Australia's koalas!
In the Australian Aboriginal language, the word "koala" is supposed to imply "no drink"
Because they are constantly chowing down on juicy eucalyptus leaves, it was believed that koalas didn't need to drink. When necessary, particularly during heat waves and droughts, they do, however, drink from a variety of water sources.
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Koalas are able to sleep up to 18 hours every day: Interesting facts about koalas
Koala sleeping
Contrary to popular belief, eucalyptus leaves do not cause koalas to "get high" or become intoxicated. Koalas need more sleep than normal animals, which essentially helps them store energy because the leaves are so low in nutrients.
A dangerous condition is koala chlamydia
However, the strain of Chlamydia that affects people is different. Chlamydia can strike koala populations in large numbers, and it typically does so when they are under stress. Blindness and infections of the reproductive system are potential effects of the illness.
Due to excessive tree cutting, koalas are losing their homes
Tree cutting in Queensland
When their forest home is lost by deforestation, many koala populations are left with nowhere to go. In New South Wales, tree cutting has increased just in the last two years, severely fragmenting or erasing crucial koala habitats.
Koalas are spending more time on the ground looking for food and shelter since their trees are no longer there. Tragically, this is the time of day when individuals are most susceptible to being hit by cars, being bitten by dogs, and getting sick from stress-related illnesses like chlamydia. Koalas are now in danger in NSW, as well as in QLD and the ACT, as a result of all these escalating pressures.
Regrettably, there are fewer koalas today
Interesting facts about Koalas
Regrettably, koala populations are declining. Because of deforestation and sickness, their numbers have been declining year after year. In QLD, NSW, and the ACT, koalas were formally upgraded to endangered status in early 2022. Many endangered Australian species, including our koalas, are being pushed even closer to extinction, and we must act quickly to stop this from happening.
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