Phascolarctus cinereus

Often called the Koala Bear due to its bear-like

appearance, the Koala is a tree-dwelling, herbivorous marsupial. Koala fur is thick and usually ash-grey in colour with brown patches in some places. Arms and legs are nearly identical in length and quite strong to support its weight while climbing. The fur on a Koalas bottom is densely packed to provide a cushion for sitting on hard branches for long periods of time.

Habitat and Diet

Koalas feed on a rather specific diet of eucalyptus leaves and few other allied genera such as Corymbia, Angophora and Lophostemon. This plants can be toxic to other animals but the Koala has a specially developed digestive system that allows them to break down the toxins and digest the leaves. The moisture content in these leaves provides the all the water Koalas require. As these are the only plants that Koalas will eat, it limits the area in which they can inhabit. This area is lessened further by deforestation and logging. The accompanying map shows the areas of distribution now compared to previous years. (Wildlife Queensland, 2013)

Since European settlement, approximately 80% of Australia's eucalypt forests have been decimated. Of the remaining 20% almost none is protected and most occurs on privately-owned land. (TheKoala, 2009) Land clearing for infrastructure, mining, agriculture, housing and roads has significantly decreased the habitable areas for Koalas. These human affects generally occur on the richest soils which are of greatest benefit to the agricultural industry, but are also the preferred habitat of koalas. Logging and burning the eucalyptus trees causes injury to many koalas and those who survive need to migrate to another plantation of eucalyptus trees. This migration also makes them more vulnerable to predators due to the lack of vegetation cover.

Also resulting from deforestation: Degradation of soil quality from carcinogenic and chemical substances that effect that nutritious value of the eucalyptus trees. Soil and wind erosion in areas where geology has been disturbed resulting in die back of remaining trees. Increased competition for food due to overcrowding in new environments. Increased stress resulting in decreased immunity animals become more vulnerable to disease.

 Australias summer months are

notorious for wide spread and destructive bush fires. In isolated areas of vegetation caused by loss of habitat, one bush fire can wipe out the entire population of koalas in that area. Localised extinction is an everpresent danger during fire season. Usually very apprehensive and wary creatures, koalas have been known to approach humans after bushfires in search of water.

In areas where eucalyptus has been cleared for housing and infrastructure, the interaction of humans in Koala environments has many detrimental effects: It has been estimated that over 4000 koalas are killed each year by dogs (domestic and feral) and by cars. Cats have been known to attack young koalas when they come down to ground level to move to another tree. Absorption of fertilisers and pesticides into the soil affects the production and acidity of gum leaves.

 Droughts can have devastating effects on the

population of koalas in isolated areas as a reduction in moisture from the plants means the have to seek water, making them vulnerable to a multitude of predators. Koalas suffer from 4 common diseases associated with the chlamydia organism conjunctivitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections. The increase in feral foxes and feral cats in the Australian ecosystem has also had an effect on the koala population due to their predatory instincts.

TheKoala. (2009). Koalas: Phascolarctus cinereus. Retrieved from: http://www.thekoala.com/koala/

Wildlife Queensland. (2013). Koala Profile. Retrieved from: http://www.wildlife.org.au/wildlife/speciesprofile/mammals/koala.ht ml