The
koala lives almost exclusively in the top
branches of eucalyptus trees. Its strong legs
and sharp claws help it to grip the tree trunks.
A nocturnal animal, the koala feeds on the
young shoots and leaves on high branches,
and spends the day sleeping curled up in the
tree.
Koalas
mate between December and February, depending
on location. A single baby is born after a
35 day gestation period. It is blind, hairless,
and only 3/4 inch long. By instinct, it drags
itself into its mother’s pouch, which opens
to the rear instead of the front as with most
other marsupials. Inside the pouch, the baby
koala feeds first on mother’s milk, and later
on half-digested food that is passed through
the mother’s rectum. After six months, the
young koala leaves the pouch and clings to
its mother’s back, remaining with her until
the following mating season. It then moves
to another tree and lives independently for
two to four years until it is sexually mature.
