Koalas are cute but feisty. Originally mistaken as bears by Europeans, koalas are a type of marsupial, that are stronger than one might think.
The claws on koala's paws are great for climbing eucalyptus trees and even better for fighting. When two males start to fight over territory or a mate, their claws spring into action and they spar by scratching each other. Whoever wins the fight gets the territory or the mate.
Koalas are picky eaters. They typically eat eucalyptus leaves in addition to a variety of other types of leaves. Koalas have a great sense of smell, which makes it easier for them to find many kinds of leaves. The variety in their diet helps keep the koala healthy and resistant to eucalyptus poison.
Baby koalas, or joeys, are really small when they are first born, like the size of a jellybean. They cannot see and are hairless, so they must rely on smell and touch to get to their mom's pouch. Once inside the pouch, joeys can consume “pap,” which is a poopy soup from their moms that helps keep joeys resistant to eucalyptus poison.
Experts say that there are fewer than 80,000 koalas left in the wild. Koalas are declining in population because people keep building cities, highways, and homes, which is destroying koalas habitats. Some organizations like the Australian Koala Foundation are currently working to protect and preserve the koala species, however.
[Source:
National Geographic Kids
]
