What kind of gut digestive tract do koalas have?

Koalas have a specialized digestive tract that is adapted to their diet of eucalyptus leaves, which are low in nutrients and high in toxins.

Here are the key features of their gut:

* Large caecum: This is a pouch-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestines. It's packed with bacteria that break down the tough cellulose in eucalyptus leaves, extracting nutrients and detoxifying harmful compounds.

* Slow digestion: Koalas have a very slow digestive process, which allows time for the bacteria to work their magic. This means they can spend up to two days digesting a single meal.

* High water content: Eucalyptus leaves are low in moisture, so koalas rely on absorbing water from their food and minimizing water loss through their feces.

* Hindgut fermenters: This means that the majority of their digestion occurs in the large intestine rather than the stomach.

This unique gut system allows koalas to thrive on a challenging diet, but it also makes them highly susceptible to changes in their environment. For example, habitat loss and introduced diseases can disrupt their gut bacteria and lead to health problems.