The Koala is an iconic Australian animal that is often incorrectly called a Koala “Bear”. Koalas are cute animals with thick wool-like fur, small eyes, large hairy ears and a big nose. They have large sharp claws with four fingers and a thumb which allows them to grip tree branches. They usually live in loosely organized groups in areas with a single individual per tree.

Sleeping

Koalas are known for sleeping most of the time and they actually do sleep up to 18 hours per day so there is a good chance that they will be sleeping when you see them.

Fighting

Koalas are normally quiet animals but they can be aggressive when threatened. I actually had a chance to witness a confrontation between a mother and another koala (seen in the photos below).

In addition to defending themselves they also make a loud crying that sounds like a crying baby which is seen in the next two photos (sorry, no sound effects).

On the move

During normal times they are moving around in the trees between the branches. I had a chance to see them in action and show two sets of photos. The first is a koala backing down a branch.

The second is a koala walking on top of a large branch.

About the Koala

Location: Live in eucalyptus forests in eastern and southeastern Australia.

Life Span: 15 years

Size: Females are 24 to 34 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.

Interesting Fact: A baby koala is known as a joey. The joey lives in the pouch of its mother until around 7 months old but normally clings on her back. At about 1 year old the youngster becomes independent and a few months later it leaves to live on its own.

Diet: Eucalyptus leaves.

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