# Koala (*Phascolarctos cinereus*) Koalas are cuddly, tree-loving marsupials from Australia. They spend most of their time sleeping in eucalyptus trees! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Eucalyptus forests in Australia - **Also known as:** Koala Bear ![Koala](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424250/objects/4523.jpg) ## Appearance The Koala is a stout, tailless marsupial with thick grey or reddish-brown fur and a creamy white chest. It has large, fluffy ears tipped with white fur and a prominent dark, leathery nose. Its strong, clawed paws are adapted for gripping tree branches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Diprotodontia - **Family:** Phascolarctidae - **Genus:** Phascolarctos ## Interesting facts - Baby koalas, called 'joeys,' are born tiny, blind, and hairless. - Koalas have unique fingerprints, just like humans do! - Males have a scent gland on their chest to mark trees as their territory. - Their loud, deep bellows can travel through forests for nearly a mile! ## Special abilities - **Eucalyptus Digestive Power:** Koala has a super-long gut that helps them digest tough, often toxic, eucalyptus leaves for energy. - **Master Climber Grip:** Koalas can grip branches tightly with two thumbs on each front paw, helping them climb with ease. - **Water-Free Living:** Koalas get almost all the water they need from eucalyptus leaves, so they rarely need to drink! ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-85 cm - **Weight:** 4-15 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 30-35 days ## Diet & Feeding Koalas are very particular eaters, only munching on certain types of eucalyptus leaves. - **Age differences:** Young joeys consume a special faecal pap from their mother, which helps them digest eucalyptus. - **Primary Foods:** Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus tereticornis - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Dingo (*Canis dingo*) — Dingoes are a natural predator of koalas, especially young or ill individuals. - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — Large birds of prey occasionally hunt young or smaller koalas. - **Depends on:** Manna Gum (*Eucalyptus viminalis*) — Koalas heavily rely on specific Eucalyptus species for both food and shelter. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Koalas are gentle and not dangerous, but it's best to admire them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Koala? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Koala? 60-85 cm ### How much does Koala weigh? 4-15 kg ### How long does Koala live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Koala move? 20 km/h ### What does Koala eat? Koalas are very particular eaters, only munching on certain types of eucalyptus leaves. ### Where is Koala usually found? Eucalyptus forests in Australia ### How does Koala hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cleveland Metroparks Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-metroparks-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Los Angeles Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/los-angeles-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Madrid Zoo Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madrid-zoo-aquarium) — Spain, ES · Aquarium - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [San Diego Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-diego-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Zoo Miami](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-miami) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Koala](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/koala) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Koala: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/koala)