3 of 30

Write now Article Tools

During the bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria in October 2008, a little koala gained international fame. Later named Sam, the koala's image was flashed round the world as she drank from a bottle of water offered to her by a fire-fighter. Sam recovered from the injuries she sustained through being caught in the bushfire but she wasn't able to overcome her next big challenge. Sam passed away recently while being operated on for cysts caused by chlamydia. Chlamydia is a disease endemic among koalas and is just one of the trials and tribulations faced by these endearing animals.

John Price was the first European to record koalas in 1798. Koala-like fossils date back 25 million years. They were slaughtered in their millions during Australia's early settlement days for their fur. By 1924 koalas were on the way to becoming extinct. They were declared a 'Protected Species' by the late 1930s.

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus phaskolos meaning pouch, arkton meaning bear and cinereus ash-coloured) is no relation to the bear family. It is a tree-dwelling, herbivorous marsupial. This means it gives birth to a live young which it carries in a pouch. 'Koala' is an ancient Aboriginal word meaning 'no drink'. The koala gets over 90% of its water from eucalyptus (gum) leaves. In times of sickness, drought or distress it will seek water.

Its nearest relation is the wombat. Only the koala, the Greater Glider and the Ringtail Possum survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. Koalas are fussy eaters and have strong preferences as to the type of leaves they prefer. They also eat the leaves of some non-eucalypts.

Socially stable populations occur only when favourite tree species are present. Of the 600 available eucalypt types, koalas eat 40-50 with about 10 being preferred. Wattle and ti-tree provide a change a diet. Koalas in different parts of Australia will have vastly different diets. A diet of gum leaves is very fibrous and very low in nutrition. The koala has developed specific adaptations to deal with these factors. These include a very slow metabolic rate which allows maximum extraction of energy from their food. A slow metabolic rate also minimises energy requirements with koalas sleeping up to 18 hours a day to conserve energy. Between 200 and 500 grams of leaves are eaten per day. The front incisors are sharp and nip the leaves off while the molars are shaped to cut and shear rather than just grind the leaves. A gap

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Animal facts: Koala bear?
We want to hear your view. Write now!