We’ve all seen cute koalas hugging trees in pictures, right? But behind those sleepy eyes and fuzzy ears lies a unique creature with some fascinating habits.
Today, let’s dive into the world of koalas together and discover how they live, what they eat, and how they manage to survive in their leafy kingdom.
What Do Koalas Really Look Like?
Koalas may look cuddly, but they’re built tough for life in the trees. They usually grow between 0.6 to 0.85 meters long and weigh anywhere from 9 to 33 pounds. Interestingly, koalas in southern regions like Victoria can be much heavier than those in Queensland. Their fur is thick and mostly grey, with creamy or yellow tones on the chest and a patchy back. Males even have a bare patch on the chest — that’s a scent gland they use for marking territory.
Koalas have no tails, but they do have strong limbs and sharp claws to help them climb. Their thumbs face opposite to the other fingers, giving them an excellent grip. Females also have a pouch on their belly to carry their young safely.
Where Can We Find Koalas?
Koalas live mostly in the eastern parts of Australia. Their range covers about 1 million square kilometers, but their distribution is patchy. They’re more common in the forests of Victoria and less so in places like southeastern Queensland. This is mainly because they rely heavily on eucalyptus trees, and not all regions have the right types. If eucalyptus is plentiful, koalas will likely be nearby.
The Kind of Homes Koalas Love
These animals are tree dwellers, and they prefer forests dominated by eucalyptus trees. Koalas tend to live in areas with mild temperatures between 68°F to 77°F and moderate rainfall. In Queensland, they can survive in hotter and drier places too.
The perfect home for a koala has:
1. The right kind of eucalyptus trees — with juicy, nutritious leaves.
2. Nearby water sources like rivers.
Koalas are picky about where they settle. Trees, temperature, and water all matter.
What’s for Dinner? Koala Edition
Koalas spend 2.8 to 4.7 hours a day eating, mostly in the late afternoon and night. They take their time, sometimes nibbling for just a few minutes, sometimes for hours. Wet and cold weather makes them curl up and wait things out.
When eating, they sniff leaves carefully before choosing one. If it’s not up to their standards, they move on. They prefer the outer canopy leaves, which they grab and pull close before chewing. Koalas eat from the tip of the leaf down, using their sharp front teeth to slice through.
What’s Actually on the Menu?
Koalas mainly eat eucalyptus leaves — about 2.8 pounds a day! These leaves are full of toxins and not very nutritious. That’s why koalas evolved a super-long digestive system (almost 6.5 feet!) packed with special bacteria to help break down the toxins.
Even though they mostly stick to eucalyptus, some koalas occasionally try other trees like acacia or swamp mahogany. But don’t be fooled — they’re still pretty loyal to eucalyptus. If too many koalas live in one area, they can quickly eat up their favorite trees.
How Do Koalas Drink?
Koalas get most of their water from the leaves they eat. However, in the wild, they’ve also been spotted drinking rainwater from tree branches or rivers. When they drink, they lower their mouth to the water and flick their tongue rapidly to scoop it up.
Are Koalas Social?
Not really. Koalas like their personal space. Each one has its own territory, though sometimes the edges overlap. Males have larger territories than females, and they often mark trees with scent and loud bellows to warn others to stay away.
Female koalas are more protective, especially when raising their babies. The only real social interactions happen between mothers and their young, or briefly during mating.
What Do Koalas Do All Day?
Mostly… sleep. Koalas rest 18 to 22 hours a day! They’re most active at night, especially around sunset. During hot days, they don’t move much and may lick their arms to cool down.
At night, they move from tree to tree, often on the ground. Even then, they’re careful and quiet. They don’t mark new spots every time — only when it matters.
How Do Koalas Change with Seasons?
Though their daily routines are similar year-round, small changes do happen. In warmer months (February, November, December), koalas sleep more. Females especially get extra rest.
Eating habits also shift with the seasons. In winter, both male and female koalas eat more at night. Males show more seasonal changes in feeding than females. They eat more in early winter and less again in spring.
Let’s Keep Exploring Together!
Isn’t it amazing how koalas manage to live such a laid-back life while surviving ontoxic leaves and avoiding unnecessary social drama? Now that we know more about them, maybe we’ll appreciate these sleepy creatures even more next time we see them.
Lykkers, what surprised you most about koalas? Drop your thoughts or share which animal you want to learn about next — let’s keep the wild journey going!
Koalas 101 | Nat Geo Wild
Video by Nat Geo Animals
