Koala Bears - Range and Habitat
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Headweb com
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Koalas are found in eucalyptus woodlands of eastern Australia. These mammals use the eucalyptus tree as food and home. Therefore, they are greatly dependent on eucalyptus forests. Reduction of habitat is considered the number one threat for the Koala Bear. Once abundant on the territory of the whole continent, Koalas range is now restricted to a few areas in Australia. Koala Bears - Feeding Habits
Despite a great number of eucalyptus tree species, the Koala Bear prefers just a few of them. This bear-like mammal feeds on only about 35 eucalyptus species of 800+ ones known. Koalas are mainly nocturnal animals. They explore eucalyptus trees in search of succulent leaves at night. It is interesting to note that Koala's water needs are met with these leaves. The Koala almost never drinks. The name of the species translates from aboriginal language as a "no drink animal."
Koalas have a well-designed digestive system that allows them to do well on low in protein and rich in fiber eucalyptus leaves. Due to Koala's slow metabolism rate, food remains up to 100 hours in the digestive system. The nutritional processes of the species are adjusted to extract the most energetic value from the food. The caecum, a fiber-digestive organ, is one of the Koala's adaptations.
Koala Bears - Reproduction
Like other marsupials, Koalas deliver immature young that continue to develop inside the mother's pouch. Koalas give birth to only one young a year. Females are usually sexually mature at the age of 1.5-2 years. As a rule, a Koala female will start breeding no sooner than 3-4 years of age. In poor quality habitats, females do not breed yearly. They give birth to one offspring every two to three years. A female will stop breeding at about 13 years.
As for male Koalas, they reach sexual maturity at the age of two years old. However, they will not start breeding because of their low hierarchy status. They have to grow larger in size to establish their dominant status before breeding. Usually, males start mating after 4 years of age.
Koalas breed in October through May. These are the spring and summer months in Australia. Koalas do not form lifelong pairs. Males try to mate with every other female in sight. Some attempts of theirs turn out to be unsuccessful. It happens because some females are in non-estrus state. Estrus is the only time when a female is receptive to mating. The gestation period of the Koala is about 35 days. The newly born is very tiny. It continues to develop in the mother's pouch for about seven months. A little Koala, also called a joey, grows very rapidly, especially once it leaves the mother's pouch and starts feeding on eucalyptus leaves. A joey is usually weaned at the age of 12 months. However, Koalas tend to spend another 6 to 12 months near the mother. Koala Bears - Links
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Picture source:
Headweb com
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1Up Info - Koala - Examine facts on diet, ecology, behavior, habitat, habits, fur, cub, pouch, anatomy, and distribution of pouched nocturnal animals, Koalas, aka Koala or Australian bear.
Animal Diversity Web - Koala - Read about the misnomer marsupial at this animal database. Learn about their selective diet, reproductive habits, and current biodiversity.
Animal Teachers: Koala - Information on Koalas and their specifics.
Australian Koala Facts - Interesting facts about the Australian Koala. Why does it sleep so much? Find out, plus some other things you might not have known about the Australian Koala.
Australia's Lost Kingdoms: Koalas - Discover fascinating facts about Koalas. Contains information on Koala ancestors and fossils found.
CNN.com - Albino Koala Adds Color to San Diego Zoo - Cable news channel reports on this extremely rare mammal's coming out party at the world-famous zoo. Watch a QuickTime movie of the albino.
Cool Koalas - What are Koalas? What do they look like? Where do they live? How do they take care of their young? How do they survive? To find out read this article about Koalas and how they survive.
Critter Corner: Koala Bears - Overview of the Koala. Info for kids.
Discover Koalas - Includes a cute photograph and information on the Koala's diet and breeding.
Information on Koalas - Information about Koalas, the marsupial including graphics and forum.
Koala Bears - Fascinating facts about Koalas. Learn how they feed and sleep.
Koala Education - Learn about Koalas in Forest Glen, along with pictures.
Koala Facts - Brief information, pictures, and range map.
Koala Factsheet - General factsheet gives notes on the life and distribution of Phascolarctos cinereus, with photo of the classic "asleep in a tree-fork" pose.
Koala Information and Pictures - Contains pictures and links to Koala sites.
Koala Overview - Includes habitat of the Koala, breeding, and diet.
Koala Posters, Wallpaper and Information - General information on the species and posters with wallpaper.
Koala Printout (Kids) - Provides information about Koalas such as diet and body structure.
Koala Resources - Links to Koala sites with information and pictures.
Koala Review - Description, range, habitat, and other information on the species.
Koalas and Grim Ecological History - An Ecological History of the Koalas of the Lower Hunter.
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Picture source:
Koala Bears
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Koalas: Who are They? - Key facts about Koalas.
Koalas: WhoZoo - Pictures and information about Koalas.
Kool Koalas - View pictures of the Australian marsupial interspersed with quotes from famous philosophers. Links to Koala and animal rights sites.
Mammals found in NSW Wetlands - Koalas - Characteristics of the Koala and pictures.
Marsupials: Koala - A snippet of information on the deceptively cutesy marsupial. Includes a good colour photograph.
Morwell National Park: Phascolarctos cinereus - Brief information on Koalas and pictures.
MSN Encarta - Koalas - Profile of this tree-dweller includes details on its appearance, feeding habits, and scientific classification. Find related links.
National Geographic - Koalas - National Geographic 'Creature Feature' about Koala's. Including video and audio fragments.
Koalas in America - San Diego Zoo - Page with information about the Koala. The San Diego Zoo even seems to be successful in breeding Koalas.
The Big Zoo: Queensland Koalas - Pictures and facts about the Koala. Plus Koala books, videos, toys and posters you can order online.
Perth Zoo - Koalas - Detailed yet succinct information on the status of the Koala in Australia. Find out how Koalas survive in the wild and view photograph.
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens - Koala - Read this entry on the cute looking marsupial that is really not a bear at all. Find out the physical characteristics.
The Australian Koala - Information on the species and movies.
The Australian Reptile Park - Description of the Koala, reproduction, behavior, and other facts.
The Koala - (Kids/Teens/Mature Teens ) - Includes information about the size, appearance, habitat, life span, and diet of these eucalyptus leaf eating marsupials.
The Koala : Phascolarctos cinereus - Information and pictures.
The Virtual Zoo: Koalas - General information on the Koala.
WILDsound - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Australian TV network archives several native mammal audio files, including three Koala sounds. Find out if they sound as cute as they look.
