Many of us have known about koalas living in Australia since childhood from books and programs about animals. Koalas are not bears, although they are proudly called "marsupial bear". From Latin koala translates as "ashen", which corresponds to the color of the coat.
The animal prefers to live in Australian eucalyptus forests, eating leaves of the plant - for humans, eucalyptus is poisonous, but not for koalas. Due to the fact that the marsupial animal uses eucalyptus leaves - the koala is not someone else's enemy in the animal kingdom, since toxic substances accumulate in its body.
The sweetest thing that each of us probably pays attention to is the koala baby - after birth, he stays for some time in his mother’s bag (6-7 months), eating her milk. In addition, a lot can be said about a bizarre animal. If you love animals and are happy to learn something new about them, we suggest you read about 10 interesting facts about koalas!
10. Koalas are not bears
In appearance, the koala really resembles a bear, however the animal is neither a panda nor a bear. Koala is a representative of a large group of marsupial animals, their cubs are born prematurely, and subsequently are hatched in a bag - a leather fold or on the mother’s stomach.
Other marsupials are considered close relatives of koalas, by the way, of which there are not so many on our planet - about 250 species, mostly all of them live in Australia. Koala in itself - this animal does not belong to any species.
9. Inhabit only in Australia
Cute and pretty little animals like koalas live in Australia, mainly in its western part, in eucalyptus forests. They prefer to climb trees, and they do it very skillfully.
For a marsupial animal, a humid climate and palm trees (or eucalyptus) are important, on which a koala can sit and chew leaves for a long time. The forest provides the herbivore with food. Speaking of nutrition, the koala is very selective in this matter, and will not eat what horrible, but prefers only eucalyptus.
8. Relatives of wombats
Today wombats are considered the largest among mammals, these little animals are relatives of koalas. Because of their fur and cute face, wombats look like soft toys and at the same time like pigs. Wombats spend most of their lives in burrows, resting in them during the day, prefer to lead a nocturnal lifestyle.
By the way, their underground dwelling cannot be called simply burrows - wombats are building entire settlements where tunnels and streets are included. According to the built labyrinths, wombats are deftly moving along with their families.
Wombats, like koalas, live in Australia, and can also be found in Tasmania. To date, there are only 2 types of wombats left: long-haired and short-haired.
7. Has fingerprints
We all know about the coincidences of humans and monkeys, humans and pigs, etc., but you may not have heard of matches between humans and koalas. Now you will find out that Australian resident and human fingerprints. Each animal has its own unique pattern on "soles of hands».
These cute marsupials are somewhat similar to humans - of course, they are behind in terms of intelligence, and our food preferences are different. However, fingerprints are what unites us. If you look at them under a microscope, you will not find any differences ... Moreover, in 1996, scientists due to this discovery suggested that vortices and lines increase the tenacity of the limbs.
6. Stationary most of the day
Most of the day, Australian people are koalas, motionless. In the afternoon they sleep for about 16 hours, and even if they do not, they prefer to sit still and look around.
The main thing is that when they sleep, so that no one shakes the tree and the wind does not blow, if this happens, the koala will fall from the tree, and the consequences can be sad. Sitting motionless, in this way the animal retains its energy - this allows him to digest food, given that it takes a lot of time.
Interesting fact: when meeting with a man, the koala shows friendliness - lends itself perfectly to training, in captivity the animal is very attached to those who care for him, and becomes moody. If they leave them, they begin to "cry", and calm down when you return to them and are near.
5. When scared, they make a sound like a baby crying
It’s better not to frighten the koala once again, because it’s amazing and sweet the animal makes a sound reminiscent of a crying little child... He can not leave anyone indifferent. A wounded or frightened koala cries, but usually this animal does not make any sounds, it prefers to be silent most of the time.
At the age of one year, a koala can begin to lead an independent life, but if her mother leaves her before that, the animal will cry, because it is very attached to it.
Interesting fact: there is a video on the network in which the koala squeaks loudly and cries, it seems that the animal sheds tears of bitterness. A case that touched the entire Internet occurred in Australia - the male threw a small koala from the tree and even bit it a bit. We do not know why he did this, but the poor baby burst into tears. Interestingly, only males roar loudly.
4. Pregnancy lasts one month
Koala pregnancy lasts no more than 30-35 days. Only one cub is born into the world - at birth it has a body weight of 5.5 g and a length of only 15-18 mm. More often females are born than males. It happens that twins appear, but this is rare.
The baby stays in the mother’s bag for six months, eating milk, and when this time passes, another six months “travels” on her back or stomach, clutching her claws in her fur.
3. In Australia, lianas are stretched for them
Conservatives in Australia are saving koalas. In order to prevent the death of these beautiful animals under wheels, the Organization for the Protection of Nature came up with an interesting idea.
For the safety of movement over roads, artificial lianas from ropes were stretched in some places - animals move in this way from one tree to another and do not interfere with local residents moving. Stops on the track due to moving koalas are not uncommon in Australia.
2. Eat poisonous leaves
You already know that koalas spend a lot of time sleeping, what they have left goes to food, namely to the use of shoots and leaves of poisonous eucalyptus. In addition, the leaves are also very hard. Bacteria help digest their koalas.
After receiving mother’s milk, koalas do not yet have the necessary bacteria in their bodies, so for the first time, babies eat their mother’s litter. Thus, they get semi-digested eucalyptus foliage and microbiota - in the intestine, it does not take root immediately, but gradually.
1. Very poor eyesight
Cute koalas have very poor eyesight: -10, that is, animals see almost nothing, the image in front of them is completely blurry. The koala does not need clear and color vision - during the day the animal sleeps and eats at night.
Koala distinguishes only 3 colors: brown, green and black. Poor vision is compensated by excellent sense of smell and developed hearing.