Get to know the most unique Koala

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The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a mammal endemic to Australia known for its cute appearance and love of eucalyptus leaves. Although often referred to as "koala bears," they are actually more related to kangaroos and wombats than to bears.

Physically, koalas have small, round bodies with large ears hidden among their thick gray and brown hair. They have strong claws to climb trees and maintain their balance while they sleep most of the time. They have low vision, but good smell and hearing help them in defending their territory and communicating with fellow koalas.

The main food of koalas is eucalyptus leaves, which are low in calories and difficult to digest. They choose younger, tenderer leaves, which are easier to digest than older leaves. Koalas can spend up to 18 hours a day eating and sleeping, spending more than 80% of their lives in eucalyptus trees.

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Koalas are relatively inactive social animals. They spend their time alone or in small groups referred to as "colonies" or "paintings". Each koala has its own territory called a "tree house" which they use to eat, sleep and shelter from bad weather.

Koala populations have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades, largely due to loss of their natural habitat, disease infections, and climate change. Although considered an endangered species in some areas, extensive conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore their population.

Culturally, the koala has become an internationally recognized symbol of Australia, often referred to as the "koala bear" outside Australia. However, it is important to remember that they are not true bears but marsupials, similar to kangaroos and wombats.

In conservation and research, many efforts are being made to better understand the lives and behavior of koalas, including studies of their reproduction, responses to climate change, and ways to expand and maintain their habitats to enable them to survive in an increasingly threatened wilderness.