11 Facts About Koalas

Koalas have few natural predators and parasites, but are threatened by various pathogens, such as Chlamydiaceae bacteria and the koala retrovirus.

Koalas are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Koalas make use of a novel vocal organ to produce low-pitched sounds .

Koalas can be found in habitats ranging from relatively open forests to woodlands, and in climates ranging from tropical to cool temperate.

Koalas are herbivorous, and while most of their diet consists of eucalypt leaves, they can be found in trees of other genera, such as Acacia, Allocasuarina, Callitris, Leptospermum, and Melaleuca.

Koalas consume up to 400 grams of leaves a day, spread over four to six feeding sessions.

Koalas are asocial animals and spend just 15 minutes a day on social behaviours.

Koalas usually survive falls from trees and immediately climb back up, but injuries and deaths from falls do occur, particularly in inexperienced young and fighting males.

Koalas are generally not subject to external parasites, other than ticks in coastal areas.

Koalas can be subject to pathogens such as Chlamydiaceae bacteria, which can cause keratoconjunctivitis, urinary tract infection, and reproductive tract infection.

Koalas identified similarities between it and its fossil relatives Diprotodon and Nototherium, which had been discovered just a few years before.