Built for a life in the trees
A compact, grey marsupial with a specialist climbing kit and a very low-energy routine.
A koala is unmistakable: thick ash-grey fur, a white chest, a round head and fluffy ears. Australian Museum: Koala The Australian Museum gives a size range of 68–82 cm. Australian Museum: Koala
Koalas in Queensland are smaller, lighter in colour and have less fur than those in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Queensland Government: Koala facts In Queensland, adult females weigh about 5–6 kg on average and adult males about 6–8 kg; in Victoria, average weights are about 8.5 kg for females and 12 kg for males. Queensland Government: Koala facts
They have two opposable thumbs on their fore paws, which helps them grip smooth-barked gum trees. Queensland Government: Koala facts Koalas are arboreal — they live in trees — but they do climb down to move between trees, walking slowly on the ground and, if disturbed, bounding at up to about 30 km an hour. Queensland Government: Koala facts
A male marks trees and attracts females with a scent gland on his chest, which oozes a strong, musky oil. Queensland Government: Koala facts They have an acute sense of smell, used to detect other koalas and favoured food trees. Queensland Government: Koala facts
Why so much sleep?
Koalas can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, because their diet is low in energy and breaking down the toxic leaves takes work. Queensland Government: Koala facts They are mostly active at night, and around dawn and dusk, though they will move in daylight if they are disturbed, too hot or too cold, or need a new tree. Queensland Government: Koala facts
