Adorable Facts You Need to Know About the Koala

Whether they are munching on a branch of a eucalyptus leaves or just chilling out on their own branch, there is nothing more charming than one of Australia’s mascots, the Koala.

The koala is a marsupial animal that is native to the Australian country side. These adorable creatures are widely recognized for their stout, tailless bodies, round, fully ears and spoon shaped noses. The koala can grow up to 33 inches and can weigh up to 15 kilograms. The koala’s body color can range from silver grey to chocolate brown.

And their favorite food is none other than the eucalyptus leaf.

If you love these delightful creatures from the Australian outback, then further amaze yourself with these fun facts.

1. The Koala bear is not really a bear.  It is in fact related to the kangaroo and the wombat.

2. A baby koala is also called a joey.

3. Aside from running and climbing, koalas are also great swimmers.

4. Koalas have fingerprints like humans.

5. Koalas can consume one kilogram of eucalyptus everyday.

6. Koalas tend to smell strongly of eucalyptus and musk.

7. A newborn koala is the size of a jellybean.

8. More than 4,000 koalas are killed each year by cars and dogs.

9. A Koala Bear sleeps 22 hours a day.

10. Koalas can detect the differences between eucalyptus leaves.

11. In Aborigine anguage, the word ‘koala’ means ‘no water’.

12. Once a baby joey becomes too big for the pouch, a koala mom will carry her baby on her back.

13. Koala fur isn’t soft but it has a course texture like wool.

14. Koalas hug trees to cool off on hot days.

15. Koalas typically have a lifespan of 20 years but can live up to more.

Here are other facts you need to know about the koala.