What is Koala?

About Koala:

• It is an iconic Australian animal.
• Often called the koala “bear,” this tree-climbing animal is a marsupial—a mammal with a pouch for the development of offspring.
• Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus
• It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae, and its closest living relatives are the wombats.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • The koalas live in eastern Australia and range from northern Queensland to southwestern Victoria.
  • They are primarily found in regions with abundant eucalyptus trees, which are essential for food and shelter.
  • Koalas are arboreal, remaining mostly in the branches of the eucalyptus trees, where they are able to feed and stay out of reach of their predators.
  • Generally solitary, individuals move within a home range of more than a dozen trees, one of which is favoured over the others.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable