Mammal Characteristics of Koalas

Koalas are mammals with round, fuzzy ears and furry bodies that make them appear cute and cuddly. They are native to Australia, but they can be found at most zoos; rarely are they kept as pets. A few classic mammal characteristics of koalas provide a basic understanding of these animals.

  1. Live Young

    • Koalas are in the order of mammals known as Marsupialia, or marsupials, which means pouched mammal. As mammals, koalas give birth to live young. The offspring then travels in the pouch of the mother koala for approximately six months. When it emerges from the pouch, it will then cling to the stomach or back of the mother until it is about 1 year old.

    Food

    • Like other mammals, koalas feed their young with milk. Adult koalas survive on eucalyptus leaves, eating an average of 2.5 pounds of leaves a day. The mother's body converts the nutrients from the eucalyptus leaves into milk while the young is in the pouch.

    Warmblooded

    • Koalas are warmblooded like other mammals. This is a classic and necessary characteristic of mammals. They regulate their metabolism to control heat production, and sweat glands help them cool their bodies. This way, regardless of the environment's temperature, they can maintain a relatively constant body temperature.

    Other Characteristics

    • Koalas are covered in fur, or hair, like most mammals. The color can vary slightly depending on region. Most koalas live in Australia, with some on nearby islands. They prefer tall eucalyptus forests and low eucalyptus woodlands. The biggest threat to the survival of koalas' is the destruction of their habitat by the large scale of clearing of land in Australia.