People used to incorrectly refer to koalas as “koala bears.” But koalas are actually marsupials, closer related to wombats and kangaroos.
Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. They rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. They doze during the day, tucked into forks and nooks in the trees, and can sleep for up to 18 hours.
When not asleep a koala usually eats eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not need much water as they get most of their moisture from leaves.
Koalas live separately in their own home ranges. A home range consists of suitable trees that provide food and shelter and overlaps slightly with other koalas’ home ranges. Koalas define their territories by making scratch marks on trees; males also secrete a sticky brown substance from a scent gland in their chests that they rub on the bark.
Koalas can live around 10-15 years, and they have only a few natural predators, including dingoes, large owls, eagles, and goannas, which generally only target juveniles.
Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. They rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. They doze during the day, tucked into forks and nooks in the trees, and can sleep for up to 18 hours.
When not asleep a koala usually eats eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not need much water as they get most of their moisture from leaves.
Koalas live separately in their own home ranges. A home range consists of suitable trees that provide food and shelter and overlaps slightly with other koalas’ home ranges. Koalas define their territories by making scratch marks on trees; males also secrete a sticky brown substance from a scent gland in their chests that they rub on the bark.
Koalas can live around 10-15 years, and they have only a few natural predators, including dingoes, large owls, eagles, and goannas, which generally only target juveniles.