by Hope Lee

Created on: March 14, 2009

The koala is one of those fascinating animals of interest to adults and children alike. Zoos with koalas often have high interest in the koala exhibits. The fact that the koala is one of the unique marsupial animals which raises its young in a pouch adds to its interesting characteristics.

The koala looks something like a teddy bear. It is about the size of a large bulldog, weights fifteen to thirty pounds, and measures from 25 to 30 inches. The koalas that live in more northern regions have light, short, reddish fur coats, while those that live in the south have thicker, longer, dark grey fur. Both kinds have lighter fur on their stomachs and ears. They also have white patches on their rumps with a short, stumpy tail.

The koala has a round head with square-looking fringed ears and a dark, leathery nose. On its front paws, it has five fingers, three facing up and two sticking out of the side. The back paw is much like a human hand, with four fingers facing up and one sticking out to the side like a thumb. The koala has a pouch facing downward, where the baby koala goes after it is born.

Koalas are found in very few places. They are found along the eastern coast of Australia, although they used to be found all over Australia. They don't have a nest or den. Koalas don't mark off territory or claim a tree, but two koalas don't usually eat or sleep in the same tree, unless it is very large. They live in eucalyptus trees and sleep in tree forks, rarely venturing out from the eucalyptus trees. All in all, the koala is a very solitary animal.

The koala has a very specialized diet. It eats almost nothing except certain types of eucalyptus leaves. It eats about a pound of eucalyptus leaves a day, which also gives it most of the water it needs to survive. Although koalas have been said to eat box leaves, mistletoe, bread, and milk, they cannot survive without eucalyptus leaves.

A young koala is called a cub. The mother has one cub every other year. After she is pregnant for about one month, the cub is born. It is pink, hairless, and the size of a grape or jellybean. It climbs into its mother's pouch, where it feeds on her milk. About six months later, it begins to leave the pouch. The cub then begins to feed on pre-digested leaves. After a little while, it begins riding on its mother's back. At about one year of age, the koala is mature enough to leave its mother. When it is three or four years old, it begins to have offspring of its own.

The koala is a unique and fascinating animal with very few close relatives in the animal kingdom. It may be related to the wombat or possum; scientists are not really sure. Preservation of its habitat will allow humans to enjoy this fascinating animal for years to come.

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