THE KOALA By: Irene García 1ºB

Habitat: The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock.

Description: Koalas are usually ash grey with a white chest and the males are larger than female’s. They have thick fur, fluffy ears and a broad flat nose gives them their "cuddly" appearance. They have strong limbs and large hands to help with climbing trees. Surprisingly they have a short stumpy tail which is of no assistance to them in climbing at all.

Feeding: The koala survives almost exclusively on Eucalypt leaves not just any type of Eucalypt as their choice changes with seasons, local conditions and personal preferences.

Koalas´ predators: The main predators, which are mostly a problem to younger koalas, are domestic dogs, foxes, feral cats and dingoes.

How human activities influence on the life of koalas: When we cut trees to make things, the koala loses its house and its food. When we cut trees there is less oxygen to survive. Koala colonies have declined due to a disease called chlamydiosis.