ANIMAL: Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Type of Animal: Koala Habitat: Eucalyptus areas, eucalyptus forest/woodland, brush box areas, turpentine areas, cypress pine areas, areas w/ mix of eucalyptus/brush box/turpentine/cypress pine trees, dense woodland, woodland along watercourses of eucalyptus/paperbark/bloodwoods/brush box w/ fertile soils, open forest along watercourses of eucalyptus/paperbark/bloodwoods/brush box w/ fertile soils, low inland woodland, spaced-out forest, partially cleared eucalyptus/paperbark/bloodwood/brush box areas, urban areas w/ eucalyptus/paperbark/bloodwoods/brush box, semi-arid landscapes w/ eucalyptus trees, semi-arid riparian areas w/ nearby streams/creeks, temperate forest, subtropical/tropical forest, bushland, coastal islands Location(s): E Australia. Introduced population in Western Australia in Yanchep National Park. Appearance: Fur ranges from light gray to chocolate brown, large dark leathery nose, large round fluffy ears, Queensland/Northern subspecies smaller than Southern/Victoria subspecies, lean muscular stout body, Southern koalas furrier & darker than Northerns, lacks tail, whitish chest fur Food/Diet: Eucalyptus leaves, brush box leaves, paperbark leaves, bloodwood leaves Status in Wild: Threatened Conservation: Breeding in zoos & wildlife parks. Rehab centers rescuing sick/orphaned/injured koalas. Koala crossings reducing collisions w/ vehicles. Planting of koala corridors. Vaccines for chlamydia. Lifestyle: Solitary, though females can sometimes be found in pairs or trios, occasionally accompanied by single male Additional Info: Called: Male: Buck Female: Doe Young: Joey Group: Colony Weight: Male: 13.22-26.45 lbs Female: 11.02-18.73 lbs Young: 3.5 lbs Gestation: 5 weeks Life Span: 10-12 years in wild, up to 20 years in captivity Height: Male: 2.31-2.56 ft Female: 2.25-2.35 ft Body Length: Male: 2.31-2.56 ft Female: 2.25-2.35 ft Main predators of adults are dingoes, dogs, foxes, owls, eagles, monitor lizards, pythons, cats, & crocodiles. Quolls prey on juveniles. Threatened due to habitat loss/fragmentation, deforestation, vehicle collisions, road mortality, climate change, development, fires, attacks by dogs/cats/foxes, & diseases (especially chlamydia). They make a bellowing sound. Since most of diet consists of poisonous leaves, they have special liver enzymes & symbiotic gut bacteria to break down poisonous compounds. One of the most iconic Australian animals. They sleep around 18-22 hours a day. Fun Fact(s): While called koala bears, they’re not bears at all. Since they get most of their water from their diet, they don’t need to drink often. While cuddly-looking, they can be dangerous if provoked. They’re typically docile.
