Native to Australia, adorable koala are often shown perched on trees while clutching a stalk of eucalyptus leaves with their paws.
Here are some amazing facts about koalas:
The Power of the Pouch
Like kangaroos, koalas are marsupials, meaning females have a pouch in which they keep their young. This is where their cubs develop during the first months of their life. Their pouch has a drawstring muscle that allows the mother to tighten or loosen the pouch to secure their young.
From Bee to Bear
Remember never to call koalas “koala bears.” While they have a striking resemblance to bears, the name “koala bear” was mistakenly give to them by early European settlers who were confused as to whether to consider these creatures monkeys or bears.
Who would have thought that these creatures are actually the size of a bee at birth? Yes, you read that right, they are as small as the stinging insect when their mother gives birth to them.
Death of the Giants
Koalas once had many different species. However, all of these species died except for the one left today.
Browser, a kind of koala that lived 15 million years ago, was the earliest known member of this family. However, a giant koala two times the size of the one you see today existed 40,000 years ago.
Little Hermits
Koalas are not family creatures, but solitary animals. They probably hate dealing with in-laws or keeping a big family intact.
Sleepyheads
Ssshhhh! Make sure not to disturb koalas when you visit their habitat. Remember that these creatures are used to sleeping for about 18 hours a day. Don’t blame them for being sleepyheads for their favorite food eucalyptus leaves makes them sleepy.