The koala is a unique animal, one of a kind. Contrary to popular belief, its distant relative is not a bear, but the wombat, a marsupial that resembles a giant hamster.
Why It’s Called That
The word “koala” means “does not drink water” in the local language. It was once pronounced “koola,” but over time it evolved into the form we know today. Interestingly, this name isn’t entirely accurate, as koalas do drink water, especially dew from eucalyptus leaves.
Koalas belong to the species cinereus (meaning “ashy” in Latin) and are the only members of this species. This classification was proposed by biologist Georg August Goldfuss in 1817.
The first Australian settlers called koalas “tree bears” due to their resemblance to cute little bears. Although it was later discovered they were not bears, the nickname “eucalyptus bear” remains in use.
Where Koalas Live
Marsupials, including koalas, are native only to Australia. Koalas’ natural habitat is along the southern and eastern coasts of the continent, where they prefer humid environments that are favorable for eucalyptus growth. They were later introduced to western Australia and nearby islands.
Despite their selective nature, koalas’ habitat covers over 1 million square kilometers across 30 geographical regions. When Captain James Cook’s expedition discovered Australia in 1770, they didn’t notice koalas. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that these animals attracted attention, and later scientists became intrigued by them. There are 19 species of koalas.
What a Koala Looks Like
Koalas look like large wombats or toy bears, with fluffy, thick fur about 2-3 cm long. They have large, round ears, reminiscent of the character Cheburashka from Russian children’s books. Their limbs are long and strong, equipped with sharp claws to help them cling to trees, where they spend most of their time.
Unlike most animals, koalas have a unique papillary pattern on their fingers, much like humans and primates. Their fingerprints are so similar to human ones that it’s almost impossible to tell them apart.
Koalas are exclusively herbivores, with teeth adapted to their plant-based diet—sharp incisors are perfect for shredding leaves. Their brains are quite small, accounting for only 0.02 of their skull, due to their specialized diet. Koalas don’t need to hunt for food; they simply feed on eucalyptus leaves.
Koalas weigh between 5 to 15 kilograms and live about 12-13 years in the wild, though they tend to live longer in captivity.
Lifestyle
Koalas spend almost their entire lives in eucalyptus trees, eating and sleeping. They rarely come down to the ground unless absolutely necessary. Once they’ve eaten all the leaves on one tree, they jump to another.
Koalas sleep a lot—around 16-18 hours a day—to digest the low-nutrient eucalyptus leaves. They are nocturnal, searching for food and eating during the night.
Their diet consists only of eucalyptus leaves and shoots, which are toxic due to their high cyanide content. Koalas select the safest, least toxic types of eucalyptus, and their livers are adapted to process and neutralize harmful substances.
Koalas are usually silent and only vocalize when in pain or frightened. They often suffer from ailments like conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and cystitis, which can lead to pneumonia. However, they have few natural predators, as most carnivores don’t attack them.
Koalas live solitary lives, coming together only during mating season in small groups consisting of one male and 2-5 females. Mating takes place in the trees, and females carry their young for about a month. The joey stays in its mother’s pouch for six months and then clings to her back for another six months.
Interesting Facts About Koalas
- Ancient koalas were giant, 28 times the size of modern ones.
- A koala eats between 0.5 to 1 kilogram of eucalyptus leaves per day.
- Koalas have binary reproductive organs. Females have two vaginas and two uteruses, while males have two penises.
- Females choose mates by their scent, seeking their ideal partner.
- Many koalas perished in the 2020 bushfires, prompting the Australian government to allocate $6 million to save them.
- In the 19th and 20th centuries, koalas were hunted for their valuable fur. Trusting by nature, they didn’t fear humans and were easy targets. Today, hunting koalas is illegal, and their population is carefully monitored.
- Newborn koalas are only 15-18 mm long.
- Koalas are difficult to keep in captivity because they eat only certain types of eucalyptus. However, they are easy to tame and quickly become attached to people.
- Koalas have their own “viral plague”—the KoRV retrovirus, which is transmitted genetically and weakens their immune system.
How We Didn’t Get a Koala
Here’s a funny story from my childhood involving koalas. My mom often bought dried eucalyptus leaves in large white boxes from the pharmacy to brew as a throat gargle during colds. I loved their exotic tropical scent.
I often suggested to her that we get a koala, since we already had the food. But she explained that “eucalyptus bears” don’t eat just any leaves, so the dried “store-bought food” might not be suitable for them. At the time, her argument didn’t seem convincing, but now I realize she was right.