DJ Geribo

The Koala - although many call it 'a bear' it isn't really a bear at all. A Koala is actually a marsupial, like a Kangaroo, which means their young are born immature and are carried in its mother's pouch. They stay here for 6-7 months drinking only their mother's milk until they can tolerate gumleaves which are toxic for most mammals.

They have 5 digits on each front paw, two of which, like our thumbs, are opposed to the others which helps them hold onto branches and also hold their food. On their hind paws, their 2nd and 3 digits are fused together for grooming. They are mostly nocturnal and can sleep 18-20 hours a day. They eat 1-2 pounds of eucalyptus leaves a day. Although there are some 700 varieties of Eucalypts, Koalas only eat some of these. A forest, therefore, can only carry a certain number of Koalas, similar to a pasture for sheep. 

As usual, humans are the biggest threat to Koalas. As a result of the loss of their habitat, nearly 4000 Koalas are killed each year by dogs and cars. Also, with Australia having one of the highest land clearing rates in the world, around 80% of Koala habitat has disappeared. 

Consider supporting Koala habitat by donating to organizations like the Australian Koala Foundation to protect Koala habitat and the Eucalypts they need to survive. Althought Koalas can be seen in many zoos, how sad would it be if there were none left in the wild?