Koala Habitats
Koalas' are native to Australia. They live in eucalypti forests or woodland in-lands along the Eastern and South-Eastern coastline. Koalas' need a lot of land to live because they depend on lots other koalas' to survive. When a koala dies it takes around a year for other koalas to move into that area (or when the scent of the koala is gone). Koalas are very lazy and spend most of their time either eating or sleeping.
Koala Extinction
Koalas' are not extinct- yet! They are in a very high stage of being endangered. Breeding is a crucial part of the koala species becoming more populated. The Australia Koala Foundation believes that koala numbers in the wild have dropped to below 80,000. People are the #1 destroyers of the koalas. As much as we think we love them we are fine about deforestation in the Gum trees.
Koala Adaptations
Koalas have lots of adaptations to help them survive in the wild and some even in captivity.
Here are the koala adaptations:
>Sharp claws and padded feet- These help koalas hook onto trees, supplying them with a better grip.
> Back and front limbs- Their arms and legs have enough strength in them to hoist themselves up onto higher branches.
> The back paws- They are fused together and used for grooming. The koalas don't have long tails so they lose a common adaptation that you see on most animals.
> Thick fur- This comforts the koalas. It cushions them, while sitting on trees. It also saves them from extreme temperature changes. Apart from that, the fur has moisture repelling features that help them during times of rain. The scent gland which is on the chest of male koalas, is used for marking their territory (trees).
> A curved spine- Their special spine allows them to rest on tree forks (sticks) comfortably.
> Teeth and tongue- Koalas teeth are specially designed to chew the eucalyptus trees into a paste so they can swallow. The gap in between the teeth, let their tongue move in a way that leaves are rotated inside their mouth for constant chewing.
> Sense of smell- The sense of smell that koalas have is so strong that they can even decide which type of eucalyptus leaves are edible.
>Less energy spent- Koalas have a diet that makes low energy. Koalas have adapted to this by spending less energy. They can do this because it is said that koalas have a smaller brain compared to the size of its body and head. Their low body temperature and very low metabolic rate also help them save energy.
Here are the koala adaptations:
>Sharp claws and padded feet- These help koalas hook onto trees, supplying them with a better grip.
> Back and front limbs- Their arms and legs have enough strength in them to hoist themselves up onto higher branches.
> The back paws- They are fused together and used for grooming. The koalas don't have long tails so they lose a common adaptation that you see on most animals.
> Thick fur- This comforts the koalas. It cushions them, while sitting on trees. It also saves them from extreme temperature changes. Apart from that, the fur has moisture repelling features that help them during times of rain. The scent gland which is on the chest of male koalas, is used for marking their territory (trees).
> A curved spine- Their special spine allows them to rest on tree forks (sticks) comfortably.
> Teeth and tongue- Koalas teeth are specially designed to chew the eucalyptus trees into a paste so they can swallow. The gap in between the teeth, let their tongue move in a way that leaves are rotated inside their mouth for constant chewing.
> Sense of smell- The sense of smell that koalas have is so strong that they can even decide which type of eucalyptus leaves are edible.
>Less energy spent- Koalas have a diet that makes low energy. Koalas have adapted to this by spending less energy. They can do this because it is said that koalas have a smaller brain compared to the size of its body and head. Their low body temperature and very low metabolic rate also help them save energy.
Koala Food Chains
The koala has about 6 basic food chains. (Photo on left)
Plants called Eucalyptus and Gum trees are eaten by the koalas. Unfortunately the food chain does not stop there. Dingos', Owls and Wedge-Tailed Eagles prey on the koalas and eat them- alive or dead!
Predators are a huge problem for the koalas to survive. Fortunately there are programs in Australia, like Parks Victoria: Koala Management, that can change their life threatening conditions.
Plants called Eucalyptus and Gum trees are eaten by the koalas. Unfortunately the food chain does not stop there. Dingos', Owls and Wedge-Tailed Eagles prey on the koalas and eat them- alive or dead!
Predators are a huge problem for the koalas to survive. Fortunately there are programs in Australia, like Parks Victoria: Koala Management, that can change their life threatening conditions.