![]() ![]() ![]() * The Aboriginals are the indigenous people of Australia. Queenslands adult female koalas on average weigh between 5 and 6kg and adult males weigh between 6 and 8kg, compared to Victoria’s adult female koalas with an average weight of 8.5kg and adult males 12kg. Sadly, around 80% of koala habitat has been lost to human homes, drought and bushfires. Koalas in Queensland are smaller, lighter in colour and have less fur than those in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. If you ever go on a camping trip to Australia, you might be told to beware the dreaded drop bear. Dingoes may prey upon some on the ground and birds of prey such as owls or Wedge-tailed Eagles are threats to young. Giant Flesh-Eating Koala of Legend Was Real. Koalas can live 13 to 18 years in the wild, and have few natural predators. Believe it or not, they can sleep for up to 18 hours a day!ġ0) Although these beautiful creatures are protected by law, and not classed as an endangered species, their habitat is under threat. Often referred to as a ‘bear’, the Koala is actually a tree-dwelling, marsupial whose closest living relatives are wombats. It’s believed this is because koalas get almost all their moisture from the leaves they eat, and rarely drink water.Ĩ) But check this out – eucalyptus leaves are super tough and poisonous! Luckily for koalas, they have a long digestive organ called a cecum which allows them to break down the leaves unharmed.ĩ) Enjoy having a snooze? Well so do our furry friends! Koalas don’t have much energy and, when not feasting on leaves, they spend their time dozing in the branches. Once strong enough, the youngster rides around on its mother’s back for a further six months, only using the pouch to feed.Ħ) Koala’s grow up to become big eaters, shifting up to one kilogram of eucalyptus leaves in a day! They are fussy, too, and will select the most nutritious and tastiest leaves from the trees where they live.ħ) These magnificent mammals get their name form an Aboriginal * term meaning, ‘ no drink’. Unfortunately, their habitats are getting endangered day by day with increased deforestation and tree clearing. Blind and earless, a joey uses its strong sense of touch and smell, as well as natural instinct, to find its way.ĥ) A joey grows and develops in the pouch for about six months. What Animals Eat Koalas Koala bears live on trees. By living so high above the ground, koalas can avoid predators, and are surrounded by their favorite food: eucalyptus leaves. A group of mammals, most marsupials have pouches where their newborns develop.Ĥ) When an infant koala – called a joey – is born, it immediately climbs up to its mother’s pouch. Ask your parents to check out Nat Geo Kids magazine! (AD)ģ) Although you may have heard people call them koala ‘bears’, these awesome animals aren’t bears at all – they are in fact marsupials. ![]()
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