The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae.The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. Although three subspecies have been described, these are arbitrary selections from a cline and are not generally accepted as valid. Following Bergmann's Rule, southern individuals from the cooler climates are larger.A typical Victorian koala has longer, thicker fur, is a darker, softer grey, often with chocolate-brown highlights on the back and forearms, and has a more prominently light-coloured ventral side and fluffy white ear tufts.
Ten Facts about Koala
- Typical and New South Wales koala weights are 12 kg (26 lb) for males and 8.5 kg (19 lb) for females.
- The koala's five fingers include two opposable thumbs, providing better gripping ability.
- The koala lives almost entirely on eucalypt leaves.
- Females reach maturity at 2 to 3 years of age, males at 3 to 4 years.
- A healthy female koala can produce one young each year for about 12 years. Gestation is 35 days.
- Mating normally occurs between December and March, the Southern Hemisphere's summer.
- A baby koala is referred to as a joey and is hairless, blind, and earless. At birth the joey, only a quarter of an inch long.
- Young remain hidden in the pouch for about six months, only feeding on milk.
- Koalas can live for up to 18 years for females and a bit less for males.
- Koalas are killed every year by Dogs, Cats, Dingoes, Goannas, Eagles, and Owls. They also die of disease and accidents.
