KOALA
The
Koala is an Australian mammal that looks like a teddy bear, but
is not related to any kind of bear. Koalas have soft, thick gray
or brown fur on their back and white on the belly. A large, hairless
nose; round ears; and no tail. Koalas have sharp, curved claws;
long toes; and a strong grip. They spend nearly all their time in
trees and come down only to move to another one. Koalas are active
mainly at night, and sleep 18 hours of the day in the fork of a
eucalyptus tree. Koalas eat and drink the liquids from eucalyptus
leaves. Female Koalas give birth to tiny, poorly developed offspring.
A joey remains in the pouch for seven months and then spends the
next six months riding on its mother’s back. At one time, Koalas
were hunted for their fur. During the 1920’s and 1930’s Koala skins
were exported in such vast numbers that the animals had been almost
wiped out. The trade has stopped, but destruction of the Koala’s
habitat has not. People have cut down eucalyptus forests for housing
developments, resorts, and farmland. Many Koalas are hit by cars.
The Koala’s long-term survival will rely on its open forest and
woodland habitat being retained and restored.
The 'Australiana Collection' wildlife design portrays the beauty of the cute and adored Koala of Australia.
Australiana Collection |
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