Questions people actually ask
Short answers, with the same sources as the rest of the site.
Are koalas bears?
No. Koalas are marsupials: mammals that give birth to underdeveloped young. Queensland Government: Koala facts The scientific name is Phascolarctos cinereus: the genus draws on Greek for a pouched ‘bear’, and cinereus is Latin for ashy-grey. Queensland Government: Koala facts Their closest living relatives are wombats, and both have a backward-facing pouch. Queensland Government: Koala facts
Why do they sleep so much?
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 The leaves are low in energy, with only about 5% sugars and starches on average, and they contain toxic oils that most animals cannot eat. Queensland Government: Koala facts
Do they ever drink water?
Most of their water comes from the leaves, which can be up to about 50% water, so they often have no need to climb down for a drink — except in very hot or dry periods. Queensland Government: Koala facts
What is pap?
The mother passes those bacteria to the joey in a sticky, runny faecal substance called pap, which the young ingests instinctively. Queensland Government: Koala facts
How long does a joey stay in the pouch?
The joey stays in the pouch for about six months before emerging, then rides on its mother’s back for between six and 12 months. Queensland Government: Koala facts The Australian Museum likewise notes six months in the pouch, then a gradual weaning from milk to leaves and pap from the mother. Australian Museum: Koala
Are they endangered?
The IUCN Red List assesses the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as Vulnerable globally, under criteria A2b+3bce+4bce. The assessment date is 27 May 2014 (published 2020, and annotated as needing an update). IUCN Red List: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) · checked 12 Nov 2026 The combined koala populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have been listed as Endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act, in effect from 12 February 2022. Australian Government conservation advice for the listed koala (in effect 12 February 2022) · checked 12 Nov 2026 Other koala populations, in Victoria and South Australia, are not listed as threatened under the EPBC Act. Australian Government conservation advice for the listed koala (in effect 12 February 2022) · checked 12 Nov 2026
How many koalas are left?
The IUCN population trend is decreasing, with a global estimate of 100,000–500,000 mature individuals (best estimate 300,000). IUCN Red List: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) · checked 12 Nov 2026 CSIRO’s National Koala Monitoring Program 2025 national estimate is between 729,000 and 918,000 koalas. CSIRO cautions that this may reflect increased monitoring effort rather than a substantial rise in numbers. CSIRO: Calling out the koala legends (November 2025) · checked 12 Nov 2026
What is chlamydia doing to koalas?
Chlamydiosis, a bacterial disease, threatens many koala populations. Two forms can infect koalas: Chlamydia pecorum (the most common cause of disease) and Chlamydia pneumoniae. NSW Environment and Heritage: Understanding chlamydia in koalas · checked 12 Nov 2026 The disease can cause infertility, particularly in females, and can lead to blindness, weakness, and greater vulnerability to dogs and extreme weather. NSW Environment and Heritage: Understanding chlamydia in koalas · checked 12 Nov 2026