Koala
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ID#27
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Classification: mammal
Endangered Status: near threatened Habitat: Eucalyptus Trees The koala is about 2 feet tall, it weighs up to 33 pounds and has tufted ears. The koala has small eyes with black vertical pupils, a small stub of a tail and a beak-like snout. It is covered with fur; it is an ashy color, with the top being a brownish color and near the hindquarters more of a yellow-brown. The koala’s belly is a creamy color. Koalas are tend to be solitary or live in small groups. They enjoy eating the shoots, leaves, bark, and sap of eucalyptus or gum trees. They are active at night, but they are not nocturnal animals. These furry guys eat only two things; eucalyptus or gum trees, and if available, they will eat mistletoe leaves. Koalas also have storing pouches in their cheeks to store food. Breeding season for Koalas is from September-February. Male koalas bellow to communicate, and mark their territory with musk from their scent glands. At breeding time, a male koala forms a small harem, which he guards. Their gestation period is between 34-36 days, and they have one baby called a joey. When the joey is born, it is 3-4 inches long, and it is hairless, pink, blind, and deaf. And not only that but they don’t have ears either. After the babies are born, they transfer to the mother’s pouch on her belly where the baby stays for up to 7 months. Then when they get out of the pouch, they continue to nurse for another 4 months. A koala’s life span is up to 20 years. Koalas are marsupials, which is why they have the same name for their babies: joeys. In Australia, koalas are known as the Australian Teddy Bear. |