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Phascolarctidae - koalas

There is only one species of marsupial in this family. The koala is found in the eucalyptus forests eastern Australia.

The koala has thick gray to brown fur; a round head; large, furry ears; small, round eyes; and a large, black nose. The koala has large front paws with five long, sharp claws on each paw that it uses to climb trees. It has two opposable toes on its front paws that it uses to grab branches. It has five claws on its rear paws - two climbing claws, two grooming claws, and one grabbing claw.

The koala eats the leaves, stems, and flowers of eucalyptus trees. The eucalyptus tree contains chemicals that are poisonous to most animals, but the koala has a special digestive system that lets it digest eucalyptus. It usually stays in a tree until it has taken all the leaves within its reach or when it needs to get water. It usually feeds at night and spends up to 20 hours a day resting or sleeping in a tree.

Koalas mate from October through February. The male mates with more than one female. A single baby koala is born 34-36 days after mating. The baby koala is tiny and weighs less than two ounces. It attaches itself to a teat in its mother's pouch, where it stays for seven months. When it comes out of the pouch, it clings to its mother's back for about five months. Koalas were once hunted for their soft fur, but they are now a protected species in Australia.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds N.H. Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

None

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH
Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus
Additional Information Key: Profile Photos Video Audio Interactive Game Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus The koala is found in eastern Australia from north Queensland south to the southeastern corner of South Australia, Australia. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus The koala is arboreal and spends most of its time in the trees. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus A koala baby is called a joey. Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus A newborn koala is only the size of a jelly bean. Source: National Geographic Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus Koalas store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks. Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus Koalas are not bears. They are most closely related to wombats. Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus Koalas almost never need to drink; they get most of their water from the eucalyptus leaves they eat. Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus There are fewer than 100,000 koalas in the wild. Source: Defenders of Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus The koalas dense, wooly fur repels water and provides insulation. Source: Los Angeles Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus The koala has a very low metabolic rate for a mammal and rests motionless for about 18 to 20 hours a day. Source: Lowry Park Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No

Phascolarctidae - koalas

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

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