[Image of a koala life cycle diagram]
1. Birth
Koalas are born after a gestation period of about 35 days. They are born blind and hairless, and weigh only about 1 gram (0.035 ounces). They are carried around in their mother's pouch for about six months.
2. Pouch Life
During their time in the pouch, koalas nurse on their mother's milk and begin to grow fur. They also start to develop their sense of sight and hearing.
3. Weaning
Koalas are weaned from their mother's milk at around six months old. They begin to eat eucalyptus leaves, which are their main source of food throughout their lives.
4. Independence
Koalas become independent of their mothers at around one year old. They leave their mothers' territories and find their own home ranges.
5. Adulthood
Koalas reach sexual maturity at around three years old. They can live for up to 12 years in the wild.
6. Reproduction
Koalas mate in the summer months. Males compete for females by fighting and calling out. The female koala gives birth to a single joey every two years.
7. Death
Koalas die from a variety of causes, including disease, predation, and habitat loss.