Order: |
Marsupial Mammal. |
Genus & Species: |
Phascolarctus cinereus (ash-grey pouched bear). |
Common Name: |
Koala. An Aboriginal name meaning "no water". |
Weight: |
6kg to 9kg (koalas in southern states are heavier). |
Eyes: |
Brown. |
Fur Colour: |
Silver grey and cream. |
Lifespan: |
15 to 18 Years in captivity - Unknown in wild. |
Sexual Maturity: |
Male 3 to 4 Years, Female 2 Years. |
Gestation: |
30 to 35 Days, mates at night in the treetops. |
Young: |
Newborn is the size of a Broad Bean (2cm
and referred to as a "Pinkie"), blind and hairless.
At birth the young forces its way through its mother's fur
to reach her pouch and attach itself to one of two teats. At
6 months it leaves the pouch and moves to the mother's back
or chest (referred to as a "Backrider"). At 12 months
the baby usually becomes independent. |
Number of Young: |
One - rare instances of twins. |
Pouch: |
Backward facing (prevents bark and leaves from entering
the pouch - similar to the Wombat). |
Habitat: |
Solitary tree dweller (non-social animal). |
Diet: |
Eucalyptus leaves. Adult eats about 500g each day. |
Digestion: |
Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrition and contains
20% in fibre, with tannins more than 10%, water 50% and minerals
2%. Koalas have developed a special intestinal chamber called
the caecum, which contains bacteria, which ferments the leaves
to make them more digestible. |
Food Trees: |
Feeds on about 12 of the couple of hundred eucalyptus
species that grow in Australia. |
Hydration: |
Eucalyptus leaves, only drinks in severe drought
or sick |
Call: |
Harsh call like a female screaming or guttural like a
wild pig. |
Distribution: |
Dense populations in coastal regions with sparse
populations in outback Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria
and Parts of South Australia |
Conservation: |
Protected species, classification "common",
although classified as "regionally vulnerable" in S
E Queensland. Pine Rivers identified as having "the healthiest
urban population in Australia." |
Threats: |
Habitat destruction, disease, domestic dogs and vehicles
(in the wild from dingos, eagles and feral domestic animals |
