Koalas are amazing mammals that do not have any related species among those living on the planet. And, despite some outward resemblance to bears, koalas are completely different creatures. Their friendly disposition, funny habits and attractive appearance have long made them the favorites of the public in many countries. They even became one of the symbols of Australia. In this article, we will reveal interesting facts about koalas and help you better understand these creatures.

1. The only continent they inhabit is Australia.

2. Koalas are one of the few marsupial animals in the world.

3. Newborn cubs are not yet fully developed embryos, like, for example, kangaroos, and therefore, after birth, they spend about 6 months in their mother's pouch.

4. Koalas do not have any different species - only one. Although a certain biological similarity with wombats is still traced, the latter are more reminiscent of huge hamsters.

5. The first settlers in Australia considered koalas to be bears because of their appearance. However, further research showed that they were wrong.

6. In our time, the habitat of koalas in the wild is about 1 million square kilometers. This is about twice the area of ​​Spain.

7. The basis of the diet of koalas are eucalyptus leaves. They are low in calories, and therefore these animals are rather slow, and they constantly eat most of their lives.

8. The first food to which koalas teach their cubs is the excrement of the mother. From them, the cubs receive nutrients that are not fully digested, and thus their body learns to assimilate eucalyptus.

9. Koalas usually form harems, where there are 3-4 females per male, or even more.

10. The gestation period of a female koala usually does not exceed a month. This is very small for such a relatively large animal, therefore, the development of a newborn cub continues in the mother's pouch.

11. James Cook, who opened the coast of Australia for Europeans, did not see any koalas.

12. They were first noticed and investigated only after several decades.

13. Koalas have a very slow metabolism, it is about 2 times slower in comparison with other warm-blooded mammals. Because of this, they survive on a low-calorie diet of eucalyptus leaves.

14. Despite the seeming awkwardness, koalas run pretty fast.

15. They swim, by the way, very well.

16. Koalas have five toes on their feet, but only four of them have claws. They help these animals climb trees.

17. Koalas living in the south of Australia are noticeably larger than their relatives from the north of the mainland.

18. On the front paws of koalas there are two thumbs, but no index.

19. The fur of these animals is very soft and delicate to the touch, and the thickness of the fur coat reaches 2-3 centimeters.

20. Whenever possible, koalas move by jumping from tree to tree.

21. They drop to the ground extremely rarely, as they are afraid of predators.

22. Eucalyptus leaves are almost never eaten by other animals, as they are poisonous. However, koalas have adapted to eating them, however, even they eat only 120 species out of almost 1000 - those in which there is less poison. In addition to leaves, they also eat young shoots.

23. The cry of a frightened koala is very similar to the cry of a baby.

24. Most of the koala's life is motionless.

25. They either sit and chew the leaves melancholy, or they just don't move. This is a consequence of the aforementioned slow metabolism.

26. During the mating season, male koalas, attracting a female, can scream so loudly that these screams are heard at a distance of 2-3 kilometers.

27. A study of the fossil remains of koalas showed that their ancestors had much larger brains. Over time, it degraded, most likely due to a low-calorie diet.

28. Male koalas have two penises, while females have two vaginas and two uterus.

29. The ratio of brain mass to body mass in these animals is one of the smallest among all mammals. On average, in an adult koala, the brain accounts for only about 0.2% of the total body weight.

30. Koalas have fingerprints, which are almost indistinguishable from human ones. Apart from them, only humans and monkeys have fingerprints.

31. The average lifespan of koalas in the wild is still unknown. The official record in captivity is 18 years.

32. Koalas spend almost their entire life in the crowns of eucalyptus trees.

33. Koalas are the only modern representatives of the family of the same name.

34. Contrary to popular belief, koalas are not bears and do not have any family ties with them.

35. The Latin name of the species of koalas is translated as "ashen".

36. Tenacious fingers, which have a special structure, allow koalas not only to climb trees, but also to sleep, clinging to the nearest branch or trunk.

37. Frightened or injured koalas scream like little children.

38. Pregnancy of koalas lasts about a month.

39. The body length of newborn koalas is only 15-18 mm.

40. The ancestors of the koala lived on our planet 25 million years ago. The animal was called Coalemus.

41. Koala is not afraid of sun rays and precipitation.

42. In the zoo, koalas live up to 18 years.

43. Koalas don't see very well. The deficiency is fully compensated for by excellent hearing and smell.

44. It's no secret that the most expensive coffee in the world is luwak. It is made from the excrement of small animals.

45. Due to the lack of competition in eating eucalyptus leaves, animals never need food.

46. ​​Koalas practically do not move on the ground. They descend from the tree, only to climb the next one.

47. Despite the use of eucalyptus leaves, animals often get sick.

48. Koalas do not hesitate to ask people for help. This happens during illness or moisture deficiency.

49. During the forest fires in Australia 10 years ago, koalas came to people in droves for water. However, even in the absence of cataclysms, it is often possible to meet an animal not far from the road.

50. Koala is on the list of animals that have a harmless appearance and at the same time are quite dangerous.