Where are Koala found in the wild?

In the picturesque woodlands and forests of Oceania, adorable creatures find their home among the tall eucalyptus trees. These cuddly marsupials thrive in habitats that provide plenty of eucalyptus leaves, their favorite snack, while also offering cozy spots to sleep and hang out!

"Koala in Zoo Duisburg" by Till Niermann is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Koala

Meet the adorable tree-huggers with a taste for eucalyptus!

"Koala in Zoo Duisburg" by Till Niermann is licensed under CC BY 3.0

The Basics

Scientific Name

Phascolarctos cinereus

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Location

Australia

Average size

2 to 3 feet tall

diet

Eucalyptus leaves

lifespan

10 to 15 years

Let’s Explore

Overview

Koalas are cuddly creatures that belong to the mammal family. These marsupials roam the trees of Oceania, munching on their favorite food: eucalyptus leaves!
Koalas stand about 0.6 to 0.9 meters (2 to 3 feet) tall. With their round faces, fluffy ears, and charming noses, they look like furry little teddy bears—nature's very own plush toys.
Did you know that koalas have a special diet? They eat only eucalyptus leaves, which are tough and toxic to many animals. But koalas have a superpower—they can digest these leaves with the help of special bacteria in their guts!
Koalas love to snooze, spending up to 18 hours a day sleeping. This is because eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrients and high in fiber, making them need a lot of rest to conserve energy.
These adorable marsupials can live for about 10 to 15 years in the wild. While they may look slow and sleepy, koalas can actually be quite agile, climbing trees like it's a walk in the park!
Koalas are not just cute; they are fascinating. Their scientific name is Phascolarctos cinereus, which sounds like a magic spell but really means "ash-colored pouched one." Talk about a name fit for a wizard!

Where can you find a Koala in the wild?

What does a Koala eat?

How big can a Koala grow?

How long does a Koala typically live?

What is the conservation status of the Koala?

What are the main threats to the Koala?

wowzerful facts

Koalas have a thumb that is specially designed to grip and climb trees easily. It looks a bit like an opposable thumb, which makes them pros at hanging onto their fluffy tree homes!

These adorable marsupials can make different sounds to communicate! From grunts to snores, they have a special language that lets them chat with each other while they nibble on tasty leaves.

Koalas have a unique social structure. They can be quite picky about their friends and often prefer to hang out alone or in small groups, choosing the best eucalyptus trees as their own private dining spots!

Koalas can sleep up to 18 hours a day! Their busy schedule of munching and snoozing is necessary because their favorite food doesn't give them much energy, so they take a lot of naps.

These fascinating animals are very picky eaters—they usually only munch on about 30 different types of eucalyptus trees! They choose leaves that are less toxic and tastier, making them gourmet eaters of the eucalyptus world.

Koalas have a special skin that helps them be very good at staying cool. They sweat less than many other mammals, making them masters at conserving water!

Their noses are not just cute; they are super sensitive! Koalas can smell and taste the difference between eucalyptus leaves to find the most delicious ones.

Koalas have a special pouch for carrying their babies. When a joey is born, it makes its way into the pouch to continue developing. It stays there for around six months, snuggling with mom while it snacks on her milk!

If koalas keep eating the same eucalyptus trees, they risk running out of food. That's why they occasionally move around to different trees, like a leaf-hopping adventure!