Koala

// P hascolarctos cinerus adustrus //

Contrary to prior belief, koalas are not actually bears! That’s right, they’re actually marsupials. They have a pouch that gives their offspring protection defines them as marsupials. The gestation period for a koala is about 35 days; they also give birth one to two times a year. Koalas at birth weigh 5.7 grams and are ludicrously small (as small as a thumbnail)! A koala reaches adulthood at age four and can live to be 20 years old. And don’t let anyone tell you that they are lazy because they are not. Koalas must climb 150 foot tall trees to find their favorite food, eucalyptus leaves. These leaves are important because they store all the water for a koala’s needs. Yes that’s right, koalas don’t drink their water, but they can if they must. Like humans, they too can get STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydia causes blindness and infertility to koalas. This is a threat because 80% of their environment has been destroyed by urbanization. With 20% of their habitat, they still have to suffer from Chlamydia.

The koala belongs to the mammal classification. They give to live offspring. Koalas have hair, or fur, and they produce milk for their young. Just like humans, they breath oxygen and are warm blooded.

When it comes to getting food for the koala, they climb up Eucalyptus trees (150 feet) and leap from one tree to the other. These “pouched animals” are quick tempered and very muscular. Koalas are also excellent swimmers. They are nocturnal and they spend their days lounged in trees and their nights consuming up to 2.5 pounds of eucalyptus leaves. Koalas communicate by a “bellow” sound.

Koala Eucalytpus, vines Leaps, climbs, sleeps Natures teddy bear Koala

Created by: Olivia, Quin, Christian.