


Since they have no natural predators in Australia, this adaptation is not to their disadvantage. In addition to eating large amounts, koalas are able to survive on their diet since they have a slow metabolic system to conserve nutrients and energy. One of the main reasons koalas are endangered in some areas is the destruction of native eucalyptus forest habitats.Įucalyptus leaves are high in fiber and low in nutrients. Baby koalas acquire their taste for specific varieties by adulthood. In fact each koala is particular about what kind they will eat. Plant specie information about eucalyptus trees indicate there are many different varieties in the wild. Eucalyptus leaves have a fair amount of moisture hence koalas seldom drink water. The majority of their front and back teeth act like scissors to chop the leaves into pieces suitable for digestion. The koala has special teeth adapted for their eucalyptus diet. Their diet includes up to one pound of leaves a day. Although the leaves are poisonous to most animals, they have special bacteria that live in their stomachs to break down and digest them. WHAT DO KOALAS EAT?Įucalyptus leaves is the only food koalas eat. When the next joey is born it is time for last season’s baby to say goodbye. Some baby koalas want to use the safety of the pouch longer than necessary but their size prohibits them from climbing back inside. It continues to nurse off the mother’s milk for up to a year and eats eucalyptus leaves.
#Bany koala free#
When it emerges from the pouch it takes on the familiar cute and cuddly appearance of an adult.Įventually the baby koala transfers itself to the mother’s back to hitch a free ride. In fact it lives in the mother’s pouch for about six months. It then develops its eyes, legs, and fur. Upon birth the joey makes its way to the mother’s pouch and attaches itself inside. A joey measures under one inch in length.

A newborn kaola baby is called a “joey” and does not resemble an adult since it is born blind with undeveloped features. During the mothers lifecycle she will produce up to six cubs. Mothers give birth and raise only one baby koala at time. Koalas are adored by many for their small size and cartoon-like features. Spending most of its lifecycle in the trees, it only descends to the ground if necessary. It lazily makes it way through the tree branches to eat, sleep, and nurse its young. It has gray to brown colored fur with a white underbelly. * Brown Bear * Kodiak Bear * Sun Bear * Kermode Bear * Sloth Bear * Moon Bear * Spectacled Bear * Bear Cruelty * * * Polar Bears * Panda Bear * Koala * Grizzly Bear * Black Bear * Red Panda *
