The koala gets its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning “no drink” because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves, i.e. during droughts etc.
The koala is the only mammal -- other than the Greater Glider and the Ringtail Possum -- which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. When a koala isn't eating, he's sleeping -- up to 18 hrs at a time! Koalas are mostly nocturnal animals. They do not have a true nocturnal lifestyle because they are known to sometimes sleep at night and move around during the day. This occurs because koalas sleep 18-22 hrs each day, and, because of this, their sleep cycle will not always match up with our 24 hr day system. The immense amount of sleep required by the koala is due to their low energy, hard to digest diet. Sleeping conserves energy that is dedicated to digestion.
Koalas spend most of their lives in trees. They can get from tree to tree by jumping. The only time that the koala will come down from the tree is if the next tree is too far to jump to or during the mating season. Their movement on land is awkward, and once they are on the ground they are at risk, whether it be from being hit by a car or an attack from a dog. Little known facts: koalas have the ability to run and are also good swimmers!
Here's a particularly strong one sleeping on a pole!
Though they look cute and cuddly, the little buggers are fiercely territorial. Mature males have a brown scent gland in the center of their chest. The males rub their scent on the tree trunks to deter other koalas, especially other males, from entering their home trees.
(I wouldn't cross him. He's an angry bear.)
They are also naughty. Australian researchers have developed a vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that apparently harms the bears more than it does people. According to Queensland University of Technology microbiologist Peter Timms, the disease is so rampant among koalas -- it could even threaten their long-term survival as a species!
I would pee myself if I were her!! (due to excitement)
The koala is the only mammal -- other than the Greater Glider and the Ringtail Possum -- which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. When a koala isn't eating, he's sleeping -- up to 18 hrs at a time! Koalas are mostly nocturnal animals. They do not have a true nocturnal lifestyle because they are known to sometimes sleep at night and move around during the day. This occurs because koalas sleep 18-22 hrs each day, and, because of this, their sleep cycle will not always match up with our 24 hr day system. The immense amount of sleep required by the koala is due to their low energy, hard to digest diet. Sleeping conserves energy that is dedicated to digestion.
Koalas spend most of their lives in trees. They can get from tree to tree by jumping. The only time that the koala will come down from the tree is if the next tree is too far to jump to or during the mating season. Their movement on land is awkward, and once they are on the ground they are at risk, whether it be from being hit by a car or an attack from a dog. Little known facts: koalas have the ability to run and are also good swimmers!
Here's a particularly strong one sleeping on a pole!
Though they look cute and cuddly, the little buggers are fiercely territorial. Mature males have a brown scent gland in the center of their chest. The males rub their scent on the tree trunks to deter other koalas, especially other males, from entering their home trees.
(I wouldn't cross him. He's an angry bear.)
They are also naughty. Australian researchers have developed a vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that apparently harms the bears more than it does people. According to Queensland University of Technology microbiologist Peter Timms, the disease is so rampant among koalas -- it could even threaten their long-term survival as a species!
Oh, BEHAVE!
I would pee myself if I were her!! (due to excitement)
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