One would like to take these lovely little animals by the handles, or even just touch them: they are cute, funny and look very much like a soft toy. Their appearance causes emotion for absolutely everyone and wins hearts at first sight. Of course, these are koalas, the description of their appearance and habits that truly deserve attention! Let's get acquainted with these wonderful animals!
Bear or not a bear?
Many people mistakenly believe that the koala is a bear, moreover, marsupial! In fact, this is not entirely true. A koala is a marsupial animal that has nothing to do with bears, except that its appearance resembles a teddy bear. Scientists did not come to a consensus, but it is assumed that the koala is a wombat that evolved many years ago, which migrated from the ground to a tree. But since it is generally accepted that the koala is a bear, we will not dispute this fact.
Description
This animal looks very funny: it reaches 82 centimeters in length, and weighs about 16 kilograms. The koala has a large head with large round fluffy ears and tight cheeks. The eyes are small, round, brown or amber. A funny black nose stands out noticeably - this is the only part of the koala’s body that is not covered with hair. The marsupial beast has 4 fingers on each limb. The coat is dense, thick and unusually soft, gray on the back and light on the abdomen. The bag in which small koalas are displayed opens back. These animals do not like rush, they are such phlegmatic people who live for their pleasure. They like to sleep during the day, and eat at night.
Fatal defenselessness
The only natural habitat of these unique animals is Australia, whose population dearly loves these touching animals. Another fact that makes it possible to doubt that the koala is a bear is its peaceful and completely non-aggressive disposition. This defenseless animal cannot stand up for itself. There was a time when koalas were mercilessly killed for fluffy skins, which were in great demand and exported to other continents. In addition, these animals have weak immunity and poor adaptability to climate and environmental changes.
In addition, koalas often die during fires, occasionally spanning eucalyptus forests. Frightened by animals, instead of fleeing to a safer place, they only cling harder to the trunk of their native tree house, leaving no chance to survive.
As a result, the number of koalas is rapidly declining, and today there are very few of them left - only about 80,000 individuals.
Menu for marsupial
It is also interesting what the koala eats. These animals are very picky in food and do not eat anything except eucalyptus leaves, which are very nutritious - they have practically no protein. In addition, eucalyptus leaves are poisonous - their fibers contain phenols and terpenes, as well as hydrocyanic acid, which can cause almost instant death.
Why is this animal not poisoned by what it eats? After all, a koala is slowly chewing poisonous eucalyptus and feels great at the same time! The fact is that animals only eat young leaves from those trees that grow along rivers - the concentration of toxic substances in them is much lower. In addition, marsupials have a unique liver, which has a function that neutralizes poison. An interesting fact is that koalas practically do not drink water - the moisture contained in the leaves is quite enough for them.
Almost like people
Koalas live separately or in small families, which consist of one male and several females. In a word - a harem. Koalas breed in the first half of autumn. The female’s pregnancy lasts about 30 days and ends with the birth of one cub, whose weight is extremely small - only 6 grams! Only the mother brings up the baby - the father does not take any part in this time-consuming process.
The little koala lives in her mother’s brood bag for about 7 months and eats milk and gruel from semi-digested leaves of eucalyptus there. At the age of 7-8 months, the cub leaves his cozy little world and moves to her back. Koalas are very good mothers, one might say an example to follow. They patiently carry their older baby on their back for the next 5 months. In addition, the koala mom protects the baby from all sorts of misfortunes, and during sleep or dank weather, presses her child to herself, warming him with her warmth. Little koalas love to sleep in their mother’s arms, and only after they turn one year old do they start an independent life.
An amazing animal is a koala. Whether it is a bear or not, it’s definitely not clear, but one thing is known: this marsupial does not endure any haste, including its own maturation: during puberty, the koala enters 3-4 years, and in all its life expectancy reaches 20 years .
Home, Home
Despite the fact that koalas are easily tamed and very attached to those who care for them, keeping them in captivity is practically impossible - after all, they need 1 kilogram of fresh eucalyptus leaves per day! Moreover, koalas can not eat the leaves of those eucalyptus trees that grow, for example, in Sochi or in the Crimea. They are only good at home - in Australia.
In connection with the threat of the complete disappearance of cute pussies, the country's government took them under protection and assigned koalas the status of vulnerable animals, whose existence is threatened with extinction. Especially for these charming little animals, eucalyptus groves are planted in the parks. In addition, koalas are listed in the Red Book of Australia, and there is hope that the efforts of caring people will be justified, and defenseless marsupials will delight the planet with their existence for many, many millennia.