Which animal eats mainly eucalyptus leaves? The slow motion world of koalas and sloths

These funny little animals, photos of which can be seen in various publications about animals, are of interest not only to ordinary lovers unusual inhabitants our planet, but also scientists. Where does the koala live? What does it eat? Which lifestyle do you prefer? We will not leave any of these questions unanswered in our article. We hope that many facts from the life of these charming creatures will be of interest to you.

What continent does the koala live on?

The koala is an animal endemic to Australia. This original representative Koala family. They live on eucalyptus trees. The koala is a marsupial belonging to the two-incisor order. Its range is mainland Australia, but only its eastern and southern parts.

Before the arrival of Europeans, animals were common in the north and west. Much later, koalas were settled by humans on the territory of Kangaroo Island. Small animals that look like teddy bears arouse universal sympathy. These marsupials spend almost their entire lives in trees, deftly walking along the branches. A koala can live in one tree for many days, and only after clearing its leaves does it change its “home”.

You can’t run far on the ground on short legs, which is why slow koalas often die under the wheels of cars or become easy prey for wild dingoes. The animals devote the night hours to feeding, and the rest of the time they sleep, comfortably sitting in the fork of the branches. Koalas sleep very lightly and wake up at the slightest rustle. They prefer to live alone. Each adult animal has its own grounds, which it marks with secretions of odorous glands. Such a male's area sometimes coincides with the possessions of several females.

What does a koala look like?

These are small animals: their body size is from sixty to eighty centimeters, with a weight of six to fifteen kilograms. Koalas have a very small tail: it is almost invisible behind their lush fur. The animal has funny round ears that are completely covered with fur.

It is impossible to describe what a koala looks like without mentioning the fur of these animals. It is soft and thick, quite durable. The color may vary, but most often shades predominate gray. It is much less common to find an animal with bright red-red fur.

Lifestyle

We found out where the koala lives and what it looks like. It's time to tell how these animals live. Koalas are animals that lead a measured and leisurely lifestyle. They sleep almost the entire day (from 18 to 22 hours). Teddy bears are active at night, which lasts no more than two hours. As a rule, this is due to the need to find food for themselves.

It's funny that during the so-called periods of wakefulness, koalas practically do not move: they simply sit on the branches, holding onto the trunk with their forelimbs. At the same time, the koala sometimes shows enviable grace and lightness, deftly jumping from one tree (where all the food has been eaten) to another.

Nutrition

As scientists have found, such a leisurely lifestyle of koalas is not accidental. This is due to their diet. What do koalas eat? Why does nutrition have such an impact on their lifestyle? Knowing where koalas live, it is not difficult to answer these questions. The diet of these animals includes only eucalyptus leaves and shoots, which contain almost no protein. In addition, eucalyptus leaves are deadly for the vast majority of animals. This is due to the huge amount of phenolic compounds they contain.

Interestingly, not all eucalyptus trees are suitable for koalas. In addition, the animals are very selective in choosing leaves: they are good at recognizing the presence of hydrocyanic acid in them, which is dangerous to life. Moreover, animals are able to estimate its dose. In one night, an adult eats more than 500 g of young shoots and leaves. Special bacteria that develop in the intestines help cope with this volume of roughage plant feed.

It is thanks to the special environment that the leaves turn into a nutritious pulp and are produced necessary for the body proteins. The processed food is stored in the cheek pouches, and to speed up digestion, the koala periodically swallows small pebbles and lumps of earth. Sitting on a peculiar diet of leaves saturated with essential oils, the koala is constantly in a state of mild intoxication, which can explain its “lethargy.”

Another interesting fact: given what koalas eat, it would be natural to assume that the animals drink a lot of liquid. However, this is not true: koalas practically do not drink water, except during particularly hot months. Animals have enough fluid, which they receive from plant food.

Security measures

Due to the fact that most of the traditional habitats of these animals were destroyed, only scattered populations have survived today. About a hundred years ago, koalas were on the verge of extinction. The people who were attracted by the soft and expensive fur of these animals were to blame for this. In 1924 alone, over two million koala skins were exported from Australia.

Today, koalas are under special protection; their extermination is prohibited. Koalas are bred in zoos and nature reserves, restoring their populations.

Reproduction

The decline in the number of animals is also explained by the low natural population growth. Almost 90% of females are infertile, and the rest reproduce slowly: they devote a lot of time to nursing the cub, which, as a rule, is the only one in the litter. Mating season begins in koalas in December and ends in March: for these months in southern hemisphere It is the end of spring or the beginning of summer. During this period, the dominant male in a certain area mates with females who are ready to breed offspring.

Mating occurs at night, high in a tree, and lasts about half an hour. At this time, partners bark, grumble loudly, scratch and bite. After the marriage sacrament is completed, the couple separates, and from that moment the male forgets about the offspring. After about 35 days, a tiny calf is born and is completely dependent on its mother. A blind and completely naked baby the size of a bean seed weighs no more than 3 grams. Its hind limbs are not yet formed at the time of birth, but its front legs with claws are already well developed.

Having been born, the baby crawls into the mother’s pouch along a path that the caring female licks in her fur, and for six months the baby does not leave the pouch, tightly attached to the mother’s nipple. In the first months, he feeds exclusively on mother's milk, but then the mother begins to feed the baby with a gruel of semi-digested leaves secreted with feces.

After six months, the cub comes out, climbs onto the mother’s back and travels with her through the trees. Up to eight months, he periodically hides in the bag, but later he simply no longer fits in it: he has to stick his head into it to feed on his mother’s milk. From nine months old, the mature animal switches to its own bread. A one-year-old female acquires her own territory, and the young male is kicked out by his mother’s adult suitor during the next mating season.

We answered the main questions of people who are interested in these exotic animals: where does the koala live, what does it look like, how is its life organized. And now we want to introduce you to some interesting facts about these animals.

Koalas cannot be seen in European zoos, as in temperate climate Eucalyptus trees do not grow, and animals are in danger of starvation. Outside of Australia, they can only be seen at the San Diego Zoo, where a eucalyptus forest was planted especially for these animals.

Koala - Every day the koala eats about one kilogram of eucalyptus leaves.

Eucalyptosaurus...

Eucalyptus leaf eater

Marsupial bear KOALA Australia

Teddy bear KOALA

Everyone probably knows this - koala

Lifestyle and nutrition

Koala with baby

Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps (18-22 hours a day), sitting on a branch or in the forks of branches; At night it climbs trees, looking for food. Even if the koala is not sleeping, it usually sits completely motionless for hours, grasping a branch or tree trunk with its front paws. He descends to the ground only to move to a new tree, which he cannot reach. Koalas jump from tree to tree with surprisingly dexterity and confidence; fleeing, these usually slow and phlegmatic animals break into an energetic gallop and quickly climb the nearest tree. They know how to swim.

The koala's slowness is associated with its feeding habits. It has adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus shoots and leaves, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds, poisonous to most animals. In addition, young shoots, especially closer to autumn, contain hydrocyanic acid. Thanks to them poisonous properties The koala has extremely little food competition from other animals - besides it, only the ring-tailed possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus and marsupial flying squirrel Petauroides volans.

To avoid poisoning, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus trees that contain fewer phenolic compounds, and prefer trees growing on fertile soils (especially along river banks), whose leaves contain a lower concentration of poison than eucalyptus trees growing on poor, infertile soils. lands. As a result, of the 800 species of eucalyptus, koalas feed on only 120 species. A developed sense of smell apparently helps koalas choose suitable food. In captivity, where the animal usually has fewer choices, it can even become food poisoning as a result of a cumulative effect.

Koala eats eucalyptus leaves

The koala's metabolic rate is almost half that of most mammals (with the exception of wombats and sloths), which helps it compensate for the low nutritional value of its diet. A koala needs from 0.5 to 1.1 kg of leaves per day, which it carefully crushes and chews, accumulating the resulting mass in its cheek pouches. Like all mammals that feed on fibrous plant foods, koalas have digestive tract There is a rich microflora, including bacteria that convert indigestible cellulose into digestible compounds. The cecum, where the digestion process takes place, is extremely developed, reaching a length of 2.4 m. Toxic substances, getting into the blood, they are neutralized in the liver.

"Koala" in the language of the New South Wales tribes means "not to drink" - the koala gets all the moisture it needs from the leaves of eucalyptus trees, as well as from the dew on the leaves. They drink water only during periods of prolonged drought and during illness. To compensate for the deficiency of minerals in the body, koalas eat soil from time to time.

There is no natural regulator of the number of these animals in nature - native predators do not hunt them; Koalas are attacked only by dingoes and feral dogs. But koalas often get sick. Cystitis, periostitis of the skull, conjunctivitis, sinusitis are their common diseases; sinusitis often leads to pneumonia, especially cold winter. Epizootics of complicated sinusitis, which greatly reduced the number of koalas, occurred in 1887-1889 and 1900-1903.

Eucalyptus - Latin name Eucalyptus - is a tall, fast-growing species of trees and shrubs. Homeland of green giants flora is the most small continent— Australia and the islands closest to the mainland. Europeans brought evergreen eucalyptus (tree) to France in the mid-19th century to grow in gardens, and dwarf forms - in greenhouses. Since then, these green skyscrapers, natural pumps and the threat of microbes have spread throughout the world.

Plant that “changes skin”

There are not many representatives of the flora known on Earth that free themselves from the bark on their own. The Russian writer V. Soloukhin was amazed by this fact when he was vacationing in the Caucasus. He noted that eucalyptus is a tree that “eternally rejuvenates.” It is also capable of shedding its bark on its own. For this feature, the tree is popularly called “shameless.”

Powerful and durable trunks are widely used for healing essential oil, leaves that the eucalyptus (tree) does not shed. The description of this includes many interesting details. For example, the outer layer of crust falls off in March, when autumn begins in the southern hemisphere. Then the trunks and branches of eucalyptus trees become gray, greenish, yellow, and sometimes bluish.

Description of eucalyptus

The leaves of the tree are opposite and alternate, and their size depends on age. The main features of the leaf apparatus are the solid shape of the plate and the presence of intercellular glands with essential oil. Mature leaves are lanceolate, with a pointed tip. Length is 12 cm, width is 2.5 cm. at a young age they have a more pronounced silvery tint, rounded or

Eucalyptus is a tree that does not provide shade because the leaf blades turn edge-on towards the sun. White flowers are bisexual, collected in umbellate or paniculate inflorescences, and are also found solitary. The sepals grow together with the ovary, and the petals become lignified, resulting in the formation of a fruit - a box with a lid. Inside there are small seeds that spill out when the doors are opened.

Genus "Eucalyptus"

Flowering evergreen trees and shrubs belong to the myrtle family. In Australia, back in the last century, 90% natural plantings were eucalyptus forests. There are about 700 species that belong to the genus Eucalyptus, most of them are native to Australia, only 15 owe their origin to the islands of Oceania.

For more than 100 years, eucalyptus (tree) has been cultivated in tropical and temperate latitudes, on Africa and America. Widespread Several heat-loving species have been obtained, which are grown in the Mediterranean, the United States, Brazil, the Middle East, and China. These include eucalyptus:

• rod-shaped;
• almond;
• ball;
• ashen.

They do not have a strong aroma, but attract bees. These nectar and pollen collectors in Australia prefer eucalyptus. Essential oils different types eucalyptus are used in alternative and official medicine, used in perfumery and cosmetology. The leaves of these amazing Australian plants also have medicinal properties.

Eucalyptus is the tallest tree in the world

The trees are characterized by stormy, rapid growth. You can find quite large specimens that have reached only ten years of age. Here are some amazing facts:

• almond eucalyptus already in the first few years of life grows up to 3 m with a trunk thickness of up to 6 cm;
• trees in natural conditions can have a height of 12 m at 5 years, a thickness of up to 20 cm; old specimens are known to be more than 150 m high (the girth of this reaches 30 m;
• the height (eucalyptus) of the trunk at 20 years of age is usually 30-40 m;
• genetically modified trees reach 27-30 m in height by 5-6 years.

The famous Russian naturalist writer K. Paustovsky compared eucalyptus and conifers. It turns out that at the age of five this amazing plant produces more wood than spruce or fir at 120 years of age.

The benefits of a “green skyscraper”

The height of a 20-year-old eucalyptus tree is as tall as a 15-story building. Plantings are fully mature and ready for industrial felling at the age of 25-30 years. By age 40, trees can be taller and thicker than two-hundred-year-old oaks. Paper and cardboard are obtained from eucalyptus. World fame got it hard and durable wood, comparable in quality to black walnut. It hardly rots, sinks in water, and repels wood-boring insects.

Eucalyptus trunks are used where durability of the material is required. Piles made of straight and smooth trees will stand in sea ​​water two decades without signs of rotting. Wood various breeds unevenly colored, different in texture. Yellow, olive, white and reddish tones predominate, which are especially valued in the furniture industry and building decoration.

Transgenic trees

Eucalyptus wood is difficult to light, but the charcoal produced from it is different high quality. Biotechnology departments of industrial companies have created genetically modified specimens that grow 40% faster even in dense plantings and produce more wood and coal. Plantations of transgenic plants - eucalyptus, pine, poplar, papaya and other fruits, rapeseed, soybeans, vegetables - occupy all more space on Earth. Their experimental cultivation has been carried out since the 1980s in different countries. With the help of these plants, food and raw materials problems can be solved, and the ever-increasing global energy needs can be satisfied.

Israeli biotechnologists have been studying the possibilities for more than 10 years industrial cultivation GMO eucalyptus and poplar trees. The mass introduction of such commercial plantings is limited only by laws in the field of biological safety. They regulate the circulation of transgenic products, but are not accepted in all countries.

The consequences of the introduction of GMOs have not been sufficiently studied, but it is already clear that transgenic eucalyptus trees are more resistant to pests and may have an unaccounted effect on the soil and living organisms. Possible consequences associated with in ecosystems. Eucalyptus and poplar trees disperse pollen over a wide area and live for decades, so harmful effects last longer.

How can modified eucalyptus (tree) be dangerous? Where does the transgenic specimen grow, surrounded by natural forms, their mutual cross-pollination can occur there. This, according to biosecurity experts, is fraught with uncontrollable consequences. Nightmarish scenes from science fiction films when shoots grow at incredible speed and break through walls.

Eucalyptus in landscape design

The evergreen plant has excellent windproof properties and drains damp soils. Eucalyptus roots are capable of absorbing an unusually large volume of water, which is why the tree is called the “green pump”. The landscape architect will name many other valuable features that eucalyptus has.

The tree is grown more and more often at home; it is unpretentious and requires minimal care. More time and care will be required to form a bonsai by trimming branches and the main shoot. In landscape design, eucalyptus is suitable for stabilizing soil on slopes, slopes and banks of reservoirs, to prevent erosion. The plant prefers moist but well-drained sandy loam soils (pH value - from neutral to slightly acidic).

Healing properties of eucalyptus

Australian hospitals have long hung eucalyptus branches to disinfect the air. The phytoncides secreted by the plant have an antiseptic and calming effect. An infusion of leaves is used in folk medicine as an expectorant, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent. Infected wounds are washed with a 15% decoction of eucalyptus leaves (pre-sterilized).

Eucalyptus oil

The most suitable for treatment is the essential oil obtained from the eucalyptus globulus species. Only old leaves of the plant are suitable as medicinal raw materials. They are collected in summer and autumn, when the percentage of oil increases. Both fresh and dried leaves can be extracted to obtain volatile aromatic substances. Eucalyptus oil is a colorless, yellow or greenish liquid with a pleasant odor. This leaf processing product perfectly refreshes the air, saturates it with a healthy and pleasant aroma. Eucalyptol, which is part of the oil, has an antiseptic and expectorant effect, helps with diseases of the mouth and throat. It is used in sprays and lozenges for sore throats and flu.

To grow eucalyptus indoors, it is better to use seeds of relatively low-growing species and place seedlings and saplings in a small container. It will require annual transshipment or replanting, intense sunlight and good moisture.

The fragrant leaves of each type of eucalyptus have their own aroma, which combines notes of lemon, rose, violet, and lilac. Most of all, the oil smells like laurel, turpentine, and camphor. In rooms where eucalyptus is grown, the trees delight the eye with elegant and healthy foliage and purify the air with phytoncides.

What animal eats only eucalyptus leaves? and got the best answer

Answer from Igor Yudakov[master]
koala

Reply from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What animal eats only eucalyptus leaves?

Reply from Nikita Timchenko[active]
Koala

Reply from Arkady Vishnevyi[newbie]
Koala

Reply from Maxim Volosnikov[newbie]
koala

Reply from Irina Lanskaya[active]
Koala, of course!

Reply from Angel[expert]
Lifestyle and nutrition
Koala with baby
Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps (18-22 hours a day), sitting on a branch or in the forks of branches; At night it climbs trees, looking for food. Even if the koala is not sleeping, it usually sits completely motionless for hours, grasping a branch or tree trunk with its front paws. He descends to the ground only to move to a new tree, which he cannot reach. Koalas jump from tree to tree with surprisingly dexterity and confidence; fleeing, these usually slow and phlegmatic animals break into an energetic gallop and quickly climb the nearest tree. They know how to swim.
The koala's slowness is associated with its feeding habits. It has adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus shoots and leaves, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds, poisonous to most animals. In addition, young shoots, especially closer to autumn, contain hydrocyanic acid. Due to their poisonous properties, the koala has extremely little food competition from other animals - besides it, only the ring-tailed possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus and the marsupial flying squirrel Petauroides volans feed on eucalyptus leaves.
To avoid poisoning, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus trees that contain fewer phenolic compounds, and prefer trees growing on fertile soils (especially along river banks), whose leaves contain a lower concentration of poison than eucalyptus trees growing on poor, infertile soils. lands. As a result, of the 800 species of eucalyptus, koalas feed on only 120 species. A developed sense of smell apparently helps koalas choose suitable food. In captivity, where the animal usually has fewer choices, it can even become food poisoning as a result of a cumulative effect.
Koala eats eucalyptus leaves
The koala's metabolic rate is almost half that of most mammals (with the exception of wombats and sloths), which helps it compensate for the low nutritional value of its diet. A koala requires from 0.5 to 1.1 kg of leaves per day, which it carefully crushes and chews, accumulating the resulting mass in its cheek pouches. Like all mammals that eat fibrous plant foods, koalas have a rich microflora in their digestive tract, including bacteria that convert indigestible cellulose into digestible compounds. The cecum, where the digestion process takes place, is extremely developed, reaching a length of 2.4 m. Toxic substances, entering the blood, are neutralized in the liver.
"Koala" in the language of the New South Wales tribes means "not to drink" - the koala gets all the moisture it needs from the leaves of eucalyptus trees, as well as from the dew on the leaves. They drink water only during periods of prolonged drought and during illness. To compensate for the deficiency of minerals in the body, koalas eat soil from time to time.
There is no natural regulator of the number of these animals in nature - native predators do not hunt them; Koalas are attacked only by dingoes and feral dogs. But koalas often get sick. Cystitis, periostitis of the skull, conjunctivitis, sinusitis are their common diseases; Sinusitis often leads to pneumonia, especially in cold winter. Epizootics of complicated sinusitis, which greatly reduced the number of koalas, occurred in 1887-1889 and 1900-1903.

Reply from [Wowan][expert]
Koala

Reply from POTAP[active]
Marsupial bear KOALA Australia

Reply from Natasha Krasinskaya[active]
koala

Reply from Yevchenko Tatiana[newbie]
Teddy bear KOALA

Reply from Cattycat[active]
Koala

Reply from New Born[guru]
Eucalyptus leaf eater

Reply from Natalia Pechenkina[guru]
Koala.

Reply from Loza[guru]
koala

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koala

Reply from ***SKARLETT***[guru]
Koala - Every day the koala eats about one kilogram of eucalyptus leaves.

Reply from Igor Neznayka[active]
koala

Reply from Danik Donkey[guru]
koala

Reply from Yimur[active]
Panda!

Reply from 2 answers[guru]

The marsupial bear is one of Australia's most famous animals. Despite the external resemblance to ordinary bears, this representative of the Australian fauna has nothing to do with them. The eucalyptus bear is found only in certain parts of Australia and few people have the opportunity to see this miracle of nature with their own eyes.

The marsupial bear is one of Australia's most famous animals.

Not every zoo can provide these animals with the amount of eucalyptus leaves they need. Koalas demand special attention from the human side, since they are an endangered species. Their numbers were able to increase only recently, when measures were taken to ban hunting and protect the eucalyptus forests that serve as home to these amazing creatures.

What do we know about marsupial bears (video)

History of the development of the species

The marsupial is a two-incisor marsupial and is the only living member of the koala family. The modern eucalyptus bear is a small animal. The weight of adult individuals varies from 5 to 14 kg. Females are usually smaller than males. In the process of evolution, these animals' bodies were ideally adapted for living in a tree and eating low-nutrient foliage. For a long time, these creatures were believed to be related to pandas, kangaroos and opossums, but this is not true.

Archaeological excavations in different parts Australia. Thanks to fossilized remains, it became known that the first marsupial bears began to appear in this area about 30 million years ago. In those distant times, more than 18 species of koalas lived on this remote continent, and some of them were real and giants. They were 30 times larger in size than their contemporaries.

It is believed that the giant marsupial bears became extinct due to climate change, which became excessively dry, as the eucalyptus trees they bypassed and some other plant species began to rapidly disappear.

During this period, many marsupials that had successfully survived in the vastness of this continent for millions of years became extinct. The plush-looking modern koalas only appeared in Australia 15 million years ago. This species turned out to be the most successful, and therefore outlived its relatives. Australian koalas, unlike their ancient relatives, have a relatively small brain. Scientists attribute this to the fact that animals eat low-calorie eucalyptus leaves and lead an inactive lifestyle, so they simply do not need a developed brain.

The marsupial is a two-incisor marsupial and is the only living member of the koala family.

These creatures have fine, rich gray fur, making them difficult to spot in the foliage. They were first described in the 19th century, when the new continent was being actively explored. Because of their beautiful, warm coat, by the beginning of the 20th century, koalas were almost universally exterminated. Their fur long time was perhaps Australia's most valuable export product, which had an extremely negative impact on this species. In addition, their numbers were negatively affected by the widespread destruction of eucalyptus forests.

Besides everything else, attractive appearance and gentle disposition led to the fact that many people in the 20th century wanted to have such a pet. However, keeping a koala at home is almost impossible. These marsupial herbivores consume only the leaves of certain types of eucalyptus trees, therefore, when trying to keep them at home, the animals, as a rule, quickly died from exhaustion.

Gallery: marsupial bear (25 photos)

Habitat of koalas in nature

The natural habitat of the koala bear is extremely limited. These amazing creatures found predominantly in coastal areas in eastern and southern Australia. There is a small population of koalas in the north of the continent. In addition, koala bears are currently found on a number of coastal islands, where optimal conditions have been created for them.

Koalas feed exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, so their habitat is limited to humid tropical and subtropical forests, in which there are many trees that can become a food source for them.

The koala tree - eucalyptus - can only grow in regions with high humidity Therefore, only in certain regions can these animals flourish, which causes them to conflict with human interests. There are several types of eucalyptus trees, which different times animals eat for years. This is no coincidence. The leaves of certain types of eucalyptus are distinguished only for a short period by a reduced amount of hydrocyanic acid.

Despite the fact that the koala bear can determine the degree of toxicity of foliage by smell, poisoning in these animals is not uncommon.

Plush-looking modern koalas appeared in Australia only 15 million years ago.

In addition, it is known that of the almost 800 species of eucalyptus, the koala can feed on the leaves and bark of only 120 species. Vast areas of forest in south-eastern Australia were cleared in the 20th century, which adversely affected the life of the koala. To increase their numbers, these animals were brought to a number of coastal islands with dense eucalyptus forests, where marsupial bears are less susceptible to anthropogenic influence, which allows them to gradually increase their numbers.

Islands where koalas were settled by people include:

• Yanchep;
• Kangaroo;
• Tasmania;
• Magnetic island.

Thanks to environmental measures, the habitat of this species currently exceeds 1 million/m². Despite the fact that these unique animals could have gone extinct in the middle of the 20th century, now their numbers are gradually recovering.

Koala in the wild of Australia (video)

Reproduction and habits of koalas

The Australian eucalyptus bear leads a secretive lifestyle, so for a long time little was known about their behavior. These creatures are covered with thick fur 3 cm long, which makes them invisible in the foliage. During the day they eat about 1.5 kg of young leaves and bark of eucalyptus trees. These creatures sleep approximately 18-20 hours a day. It is currently unknown how long koalas live in their natural environment habitat.

In captivity at creation optimal conditions Koalas often live to be 18 years old. In their natural habitat, koalas have no enemies, so they do not know how to defend themselves. Despite the fact that koalas have long claws and strong prehensile paws designed for climbing trees, when attacked, these animals simply do not know what to do. When severely frightened or injured, the koala makes a sound similar to the cry of a human child. In addition, koalas can cry.

For most of the year, koala bears are extremely silent and try not to give away their location in the eucalyptus thickets, but during the breeding season everything changes. At this time, the males begin to make inviting grunting sounds, demonstrating their strength. Considering that colas usually live nearby, since their habitat is quite limited, this method is very effective. Female koalas are ready to breed in their second year of life. Mating occurs 1-2 times a year. Males can mate at 3-4 years of age. During the breeding season, male koalas can get into fights, causing serious injuries to rivals with their claws.

Females ready for mating listen to the calls of roaring males and choose the largest representatives. Pregnancy in female koalas lasts from 30 to 35 days. Koala cubs are born very underdeveloped, so they can look very strange by human standards.

After birth, the cub, which has only developed front legs, clings to the thick fur of its mother, crawls into the pouch, where it begins to feed on milk. At this time, its weight is about 5 g, and its length ranges from 15-18 mm.

Koala bears are marsupials. Their offspring are fed in a pouch for 5-6 months. After the baby leaves the pouch, it continues to travel on its mother's back for about 6 months. Thus, a koala with a baby is a common occurrence. At this time, a transition period begins.

The mother begins to feed the cub with undigested droppings made from eucalyptus leaves, which contain the necessary bacteria for the cub that are involved in digestion. Typically, females stay with their mother for about a year, after which they begin to look for a territory. Males can stay with their mother for about two years, since they lead a predominantly nomadic lifestyle and are not tied to a specific area.

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