Ready for some information about one cute creature? 17 Interesting Facts About Koalas. Read National Geographic's latest stories about animals. The coat efficiently protects them from hot and cold conditions. Koalas are marsupials, related to kangaroos. The color of the fur varies depending on what part of Australia the koala habitats. The Koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. These marsupials eat eucalyptus leaves and sleep most of the day. Find out where this interesting animal lives and … Koalas eat eucalypt leaves and almost nothing else. It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae and its closest living relatives are the wombats, which comprise the family Vombatidae. As soon as it's born, this tiny creature makes its way from the birth canal to its mother's pouch. Hundreds of the most breathtaking locales-both natural and man-made-are illustrated with vivid images taken by the organization's world-class photographers. Read National Geographic's latest stories about animals. The brain size of modern koalas has reduced substantially from their ancestors, possibly as an adaptation to the low energy they get from their diets. The closest living relative of the koala is the wombat. National Geographic takes you on a photographic tour of the world's most spectacular destinations, inspiring tangible ideas for your next trip. A newborn koala is only the size of a jelly bean. Egg-laying mammals are called monotremes. A koala mother usually gives birth to one joey at a time. - Rough pads on the palms and soles of the paws helping to grip tree trunks and branches. Another important adaptation to the koala is the dense, wooly coat. It has gray to brown colored fur with a white underbelly. Subscribe for full access to read stories from National Geographic. Learn about our nonprofit work at NationalGeographic.org National Geographic showcases leading explorers, scientists, environmentalists, film makers and renowned photographers. We have gathered complete sets of Koala Facts For Kids that will provide you all the Koala Information For Kids you need. The koala or, inaccurately, koala bear[a] (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. Here are some interesting facts about these adorable koalas! Koala bears are actually not bears at all. Australia’s Marsupial Destruction Act (1877) officially sanctioned and encouraged the industry and by 1894 between 10,000 and 30,000 Koala skins were reportedly being exported to London annually. Koalas! Even though the koala is often called a “bear,” it’s actually a marsupial, an animal with a pouch on its stomach that holds young inside until they are old enough to brave the outside world. ... Koala Babies. As soon as Australia is heard of, Koalas and Kangaroos come into our mind and vice versa. [5] Koalas sleep for up to 18 hours a day. Koala. To learn more and to download free activity sheets, visit www.abicushman.com. Explore National Geographic. © 2015-2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. National Geographic explores the people, places and events of our world. Called a joey, the baby is blind, naked, and earless. The tiny Iowa Pleistocene snail, a relic from the Ice Age, can only be found in a very specific habitat in the United States. Most marsupials have pouches where the tiny newborns develop. Eucalyptus leaves are very fibrous and low in nutrition, and to most animals are extremely The koala is about 60 to 85 cm (24 to 33 inches) long and weighs up to 14 kg (31 pounds) in the southern part of its range but only about half that in subtropical Queensland to the north.to the north. There are only three kinds of monotremes in the world: the long-beaked echidna, short-beaked echidna, and duck-billed platypus. Koala is one of the cutest animals that are only found in Australia.They are marsupials just like Kangaroos and have a pouch to carry its babies. Latest Stories. Here is a brief compilation of their adaptations. [5] I'd love to hold a koala. A worldwide symbol of Australia! National Geographic showcases leading explorers, scientists, environmentalists, film … Learn more with these koala facts. Her debut picture book, Soaked!, comes out on July 14, 2020 from Viking Children's Books. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration. * The Koala was protected in Victoria in 1898, in NSW in 1903 but despite some protection in Queensland from 1906, the slaughter of Koalas continued. Spending most of its lifecycle in the trees, it only descends to the ground if necessary. They sleep 22 hours a day, eat eucalyptus leaves and just hang out. you need. About the Author. Read National Geographic's latest stories about animals. In the skeletal structure of the koala there is an indication that at some point in its history a tail was present.