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Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

Photo by DarrenC
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

they are often mistakenly called a Koala Bear, when in fact they are not related to the bear family in anyway, they have a pouch simular to the kangaroo

Habitat:

The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands.

Even though they are native to the area
This one was photographed in captivity

Reference Links:

Koala

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)
DanielePralong
Hi DarrenC! If this koala was at the Healesville Sanctuary please add this information to the Habitat field. You can also add it to the Captive animals mission. http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/7973468
SargonR
Great photo, so much better than the ones I got while visiting back in 2011. I saw some Koalas at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, in ACT, but they were pretty shy it seemed.
DarrenC
cranky with sharp claws, a nasty combination :-)
DarrenC
cranky with sharp claws, a nasty combination :-)
lori.tas
Yep, they're basically a great big gut/fermenter for digesting for Eucalyptus leaves, which doesn't leave them much energy for powering their brains. But don't let their sweet faces fool you, they can be very cranky if disturbed. Also, their closest relative is the wombat, who went the other direction and is actually very active and smart.
SheaEckert
Sweet! I learn something new everyday :D Thanks Darren!
DarrenC
its because the gum leaves they eat take a lot of digesting and doesn't provide that much in the form of energy, and they dont eat anythin else.. so they just sleep a lot :)
SheaEckert
It is so amazing! I wonder how they are all not too big from the lack of movement...
DarrenC
they are such funny animals, they sleep 16-20 hours a day
SheaEckert
"I'm eating Eucalyptus, leave me alone." "But you are always eating Eucalyptus!" hahahaha He is such a cutie....
DarrenC
thanks for the favorite AshishNimkar

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Photographed
PublishedMay 14, 2011

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