Koala how many species

This myth possibly arose as a way of explaining why Koalas sleep for up to 22 hours a day. They need more sleep than most animals because eucalyptus leaves contain toxins and are very low in nutrition and high in fibrous matter so they take a large amount of energy to digest.

Sleeping for long periods is a strategy for conserving energy. Yes, mostly Koalas do smell like cough drops or certainly a pleasant eucalyptus smell. Mature males tend to have a stronger odour because of their scent gland and it can be a strong musky odour than eucalyptus.

Juvenile males are more likely to give off a very slight eucalyptus smell. Koala mothers teach their joeys how to eat different species of trees so they have a balance diet and yes, all these different leaves act like a natural insect repellent. Very clever of Mother Nature. There is only one species of Koala. Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction and the incursion of developments into existing Koala habitat, many Koalas are now forced to live in the same places as humans.

Guidelines on what to do when Koalas are in danger in your area. National parks — and other types of protected habitat — are a great concept and can be very important for small pockets of habitat and wildlife.

In Australia, however, only a tiny fraction of habitats are lucky enough to have this protection. These parks tend to be the more rugged and unusual areas less suitable for agriculture — whereas Koalas prefer the same fertile lands that people like for agriculture and urban development. Eighty percent of Koala habitat is situated on privately-owned land eg. This is why the AKF wants legislation that will prevent people from cutting down habitat on their land and provide incentives for them to protect and manage habitat for Koalas and other wildlife.

To support our efforts to ensure there is adequate and effective legislation to protect Koala habitat, click here. Land clearing, logging , and bushfires—especially the devastating season —have destroyed much of the forest they live in.

Koalas need a lot of space—about a hundred trees per animal—a pressing problem as Australia's woodlands continue to shrink. Koalas are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which has named the species one of 10 animals most vulnerable to climate change.

Increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is decreasing the nutritional quality of eucalyptus leaves which is already quite low and causing longer, more intense droughts and wildfires. In response to drought, koalas are forced to stop napping and come down from the trees to find water , spending precious energy and putting them at a higher risk of predation. Predators include dingoes and large owls. Chlamydia is widespread in some koala populations and can cause blindness, infertility, and sometimes death.

Koalas lost substantial portions of their habitat in the bushfire season and have been identified by the Australian government as one of animals requiring urgent help. Wildlife hospitals, rescue organizations, zoos, and volunteers have stepped up to care for injured koalas, with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild.

Though there are some koala sanctuaries and reserves, many live on private, unprotected land. There are conservation efforts by the Australia Zoo and others to buy large tracts of land to set aside for koalas, and state governments are also creating new koala reserves.

Campaigns urging landowners not to cut down eucalyptus trees are also ongoing. Research is another important component of conservation efforts. All rights reserved. Common Name: Koala. Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus. Type: Mammals. Diet: Herbivore. Size: Weight: 20 pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. If you have any questions about your donation, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Supporter Services team by phone or email at enquiries wwf.

If you have any questions about your donation, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Supporter Services team either by email: enquiries wwf. Share this page with your friends and family to help endangered animals even more. Our stories News Blogs. Adopt Koala Turtle Tree International species. Adopt Donate. What we're doing See our conservation work on koalas. Helping koala in care The destruction and fragmentation of habitat means koalas must spend more time on the ground moving from tree to tree.

Protecting and restoring koala habitat Excessive tree-clearing for agricultural and urban development has led to the destruction and fragmentation of large areas of koala habitat.

Latest reports. Why it matters The koala is the quintessential Australian animal, known globally and much loved. Phascolarctos cinereus Species Bio. Common Name Koala.

Scientific Name Phascolarctos cinereus. Did you know? Tree-clearing Global warming. Recommended reading. Adopt a koala Adopt a koala and help protect these Aussie icons.