Introduction
Koala bears are commonly identified through their large round head, furry ears and a big black nose. The much-loved koala bears are mostly found in Australia. They are on the verge of being extinct so that is why they have been included in the list of protected species. Koala bears are a type of mammal called marsupials. They have been categorised into their own family called Phascolarctidae. Koalas spend most of their life on eucalyptus trees. They rely on them for food, shelter and their overall survival. They can produce more than a pound of eucalyptus leaves a day. They are very not so active or we can say lazy animals which sleep most of the time.
What are Koalas?
Koala is a wild animal found on trees. Koalas are very popular because they are very interesting in appearance. Usually, koalas are found in forests. Koalas are mammals which means they give birth to their young ones. They are marsupials, like kangaroos; they also keep their babies in a small pouch near their stomach areas. They are herbivores and they mostly like to eat eucalyptus leaves.
Where are they Found?
Koalas are a very special kind of animal which are found in eastern Australia, where eucalyptus trees are found in abundance. This tree is so fond of koalas that koalas never leave these trees and rarely land on the ground.
Characteristics of Koalas
The height of the Koala is only 23 to 35 inches and the weight of a koala can be around 4 - 15 kg.
The lifespan of a koala is about 13 - 18 years.
They are nocturnal, which means they generally sleep during the day and awake at night.
Koalas are good swimmers.
The speed of a koala can be up to 32 Km.
This animal is herbivorous and fills its stomach only with the leaves of the eucalyptus.
Koalas Fill their Stomach with the Leaves of Eucalyptus.
Fun Facts About Koalas
Interesting Facts about Koala bears are given below:
The child of a Koala is called Joey.
A koala sleeps for about 18 to 22 hours a day.
Koalas Sleep on the Trees.
The koala hangs on the tree with the help of its claws and its structure has also been made in such a way that it can hang on the tree and sleep.
When the Europeans came to Australia, they named it "Koala Bear".
Koalas' brains are much smaller than their bodies. The brain of a koala is only 0.2% compared to its body.
Koalas found in the southern region of Australia are brown and those found in the northern region are of silvery colour.
Koalas do not need to drink water separately, they get water only from the leaves.
Solved Questions
1. What is a koala child called?
Ans: A Koala child called "Joey".
2. Where do koalas are found?
Ans: Koalas are generally found in Australia, where eucalyptus trees are found. As they are wild animals, they are found in the forest.
3. Which trees are mostly fond of koalas?
Ans: Eucalyptus trees are mostly fond of Koalas. These trees are found in eastern Australia.
4. What do koalas eat?
Ans: Koalas are herbivorous and fill their stomach only with the leaves of the eucalyptus.
Learning by Doing
Write True or False.
Koalas can't swim.
Koala is a marsupial animal.
Koalas are often called Koala Panda.
Koalas are found in Australia.
Summary
In this chapter, we have read many things about Koalas. Now we know Koala is one of the wild animals which is found on trees. That means this animal is generally found in the forest. Normally, Koala bears are found in eastern Australia, where eucalyptus trees are found. Many people called this animal a koala bear. They are good at many things like swimming. As they eat only eucalyptus leaves, they are herbivores. A koala sleeps for more than half a day. And many more facts we have seen above.
FAQs on Koala Interesting Facts
1. What is a very surprising feature of a koala's hands?
A koala's fingerprints are surprisingly similar to human fingerprints. They are so alike that it can be difficult to tell them apart, even with a powerful microscope. This is a very rare trait in the animal kingdom.
2. Are koalas really bears?
No, koalas are not bears, even though they are often called 'koala bears'. They are a type of mammal called a marsupial, which means they carry their young in a pouch, just like their relatives, the kangaroos.
3. What do koalas eat to survive?
Koalas have a very specific diet. They almost exclusively eat the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. An adult koala needs to eat a large amount of these leaves, up to a kilogram each night, to get enough nutrients.
4. How can koalas eat eucalyptus leaves when they are poisonous to most other animals?
Koalas have amazing adaptations to handle their toxic diet. They possess:
A highly developed sense of smell to select the least toxic leaves.
A special digestive system with a long organ called a caecum, which helps detoxify the poisonous compounds in the leaves.
5. What does the name 'koala' mean?
The name 'koala' is widely believed to originate from an Aboriginal language, meaning 'no drink' or 'no water'. This name was given because koalas get most of the water they need from the moisture in eucalyptus leaves and are rarely seen drinking.
6. Why is it important to protect eucalyptus forests for koalas?
Protecting eucalyptus forests is critical for koala survival. These forests are their only source of food and their primary habitat. The main reason koala populations are decreasing is the loss of their eucalyptus environment due to land clearing for agriculture, urban development, and bushfires.
7. What makes a koala so unique in the animal kingdom?
Koalas are exceptionally unique because they are the only surviving members of their entire scientific family, Phascolarctidae. Their closest living relative is the wombat, but they remain distinct. This biological solitude, combined with their specialised diet and human-like fingerprints, makes them truly one-of-a-kind.
8. How much do koalas sleep every day?
Koalas are famously sleepy creatures, resting for up to 18 to 22 hours per day. This long sleeping time is a survival strategy. Their eucalyptus diet is low in energy and difficult to digest, so they must conserve as much energy as possible by sleeping.
