Belinda 2021

AUSTRALIAN KOALA

This research paper features the Australian Koala. The Koala’s scientific name Phascolarctos cinereus is derived from the Greek words ‘phaskolos’ meaning pouch and ‘arktos’ meaning bear; and the second word ‘cinereus’ is Latin and means ashy or ash-coloured, referring to the fur colour of the animals first encountered by Europeans around Sydney.

Weighing 4kg to 15kg, Koalas are among the largest tree-dwelling marsupials and males are up to 50% bigger than females. Koalas generally live for 13 to17 years. Females generally start breeding at about three or four years of age, usually producing one offspring each year. She may produce five or six offspring over her lifetime. Once conceived, it is only 35 days before the birth of the baby Koala, called a joey.

Is it an endangered species? NO. However there is support for the koala to be listed as a threatened species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Koala’s diet consists of Eucalypt leaves. They are able to smell the chemical composition of the leaves for suitability prior to eating. Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrients which results in Koalas needing to sleep during the day and feed in the evenings. They rarely need to drink, except in times of drought. Moisture is obtained from the leaves they eat.

The Koala’s predators include dingos and large owls. They are also at risk of getting run over by cars and attacked by dogs, lizards and people. The destruction of native vegetation, including Eucalyptus trees, prevents the Koalas from jumping from one tree to another. This exposes them to a possible attack by predators.

I have chosen this animal because they look so peaceful in the trees.