Agility on the ground

A koala is surprisingly agile considering the time it spends perched high up in a gum tree comparatively stationary.  From time to time however it will descend to change trees.  When it does so it can be observed coming down bottom first.  Whilst on the ground they are at their most vulnerable if other animals such as dogs, dingos or foxes are in the vicinity.  It is during this time that they are quite regularly hit by cars if they happen to cross a roadway.

When crossing a road they often seem oblivious to the danger that can befall them as they take their time to get to their new destination.  If they do happen to become aware of any danger however they can run quite fast.  Some have even been seen swimming across a stream of water.

Climbing

When climbing a tree from the ground a koala will initially jump in the first instance and catch the bark firmly with its front claws. It will then continue the climb in a series of bounds.  Trees that koalas have used frequently are often found to have quite deep claw marks on them that are quite recognizable.

At home

Once safely settled in their own habitat a koala can be seen moving around the tree to keep its body in the sunlight to obtain warmth on the cooler days.  When sleeping on cool days they curl their bodies up to hold their body heat in whilst on warmer days they can be seen with limbs outstretched trying to remain cool.

Communication

The rather unassuming small brained koala has a quite distinctive range of sounds it uses in communicating with another over both long and short distances.  The males bellow quite loudly to determine dominance over each other in preference to fighting. Fighting would be a far more energy expending practice, that they appear to try to avoid, and only call on when all else fails.

After the loud grunting, the male then settles on a low deep grunting sound when satisfied with the position he has either obtained or been forced to accept.  He also uses a loud bellowing noise to broadcast his position to any female who may be within distance of the sound during the mating season.

The female koala is much quieter but they too can bellow to determine social standing between each other as well as when mating.  This is sometimes mistaken as fighting.

All koalas cry like a human baby when distressed.  Both mother and her joey can often be heard softly murmuring away to each other as well as emitting gentle grunts with a tone that clearly depicts pleasure or displeasure.

Interesting facts about the Koala

• Koalas eat the leaves of about 50 out of 600 odd species of the eucalyptus tree.
• Koalas get most of the water they need from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree but do drink from puddles after rain especially following a drought.
• Koalas generally stay in the same trees for many days.
• Koalas are only found in Australia. Then only In the eastern and southern regions.
• Southern koalas have longer, thicker fur. In the warmer north Australian areas their fur is shorter.    
• Koalas were once hunted for their fur. But this practice has now ceased.
• Koalas do not nest nor search for a shelter. They reside in the open in eucalyptus trees.
• Koalas appear to be cuddly and soft like teddy bears, but they are not bears at all. They are marsupials like the Kangaroo, they both carry their young in pouches.
• The Koala is one of only two other mammals with a digestive system that can digest eucalyptus leaves. The leaves of a eucalyptus tree are very poisonous if eaten by a human.
• Koalas eat mainly during the night and can consume about five kilograms of leaves at a time.
• Koalas sleep most of the time. They sleep for 19 hours a day in the branch of a tree.
• The front paws of a koala have two thumbs and curved sharp claws on all its digits; this allows the Koala to carry out its extraordinary climbing ability. The rear paws, second and third toes are fused together and it has rough pads. The paws are used for both grooming and climbing.
• A Koala can be as quick as a rabbit if roused.
• The fingerprints of a Koala are amazingly the same as those of a human being.
• The Koala is the only such arboreal marsupial that hasn’t got a tail.
• A Koala has a very sharp sense of  hearing and smell .
• Koalas are solitary creatures, outside the breeding season.
• Koalas make a grunting and wailing sound when communicating with each other.
• The Joeys can’t digest eucalyptus leaves naturally. They have to eat special bacteria from the excreta (or pap) of their mothers first, whilst still in her pouch.
• Any given area can only accommodate a limited number of Koalas, for them to remain healthy and well nourished.
• When becoming anxious due to losing their habitat, Koalas can become prone to a disease named ‘Chlamydia’.
• There are around 80,000 to 100,000 wild Koalas living in Australia today.
• Koalas are killed by both wild and domestic cats and dogs as well as wild dingoes and goannas and birds such as eagles and owls. They also die from motor car accidents and diseases.