Koalas are dietary specialists. They feed exclusively on the leaves and bark of eucalyptus trees. As a rule, a koala will not feed on more than five to ten different species of eucalyptus tree within its territory. The animals are very fussy, as the leaves contain toxins. To a certain extent, the koala can tolerate these. However, if it eats too many of them, it can die as a result.
Using their sense of smell, koalas tend to choose slightly younger or older leaves, depending on the species and the season. It is important that the leaves contain as few toxins as possible. Before eating the leaves, the koala sniffs them thoroughly and then chews them at length in its mouth before swallowing.
Koalas face many dangers in the wild: their natural predators include dingoes, eagles, monitor lizards and pythons. Stray dogs, swimming pools and cars also pose significant risks. Prolonged dry spells, bushfires and construction projects can have dramatic consequences. If a road is built through its territory, the koala will remain on the side where it was when roadworks began. It will rarely cross the road again. The territory on the other side of the road is lost to it.
Taxonomy
Phascolarctidae, genus Phascolarctos
Habitat
sparse eucalyptus forests
Behaviour and ecology
tree-dwelling; rarely moves on the ground; nocturnal; sleeps for up to 20 hours a day
Social structure
solitary, but with overlapping territories
