Actually, the Koala is a marsupial, tree-dwelling plant eater. It's babies are born only semi developed, so they live in their mom's pouch for another six to seven months. (It's a strange way to look after newborn, but, well, that's how marsupials do it.)
The Koala has a stout, tailless body, with fluffy ears, and a spoon shaped nose. Koalas can grow up to 85 cm (33 in.) tall and weigh as much as 15 kg. (or 33 lbs.). (So says Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala, accessed April 2, 2013.) Their pelage, meaning fur or hair, ranges from silver grey to chocolate brown (that's from Wikipedia, too; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelage, accessed April 2, 2013). The Koala is somewhat related to the wombat. Also distantly related to the Tasmanian Devil (as San Francisco is related to New York — distantly). The Koala is not a member of any Bear species.
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| Koala, Perth Zoo, Australia |
Koalas live along the eastern side of Australia, from the north of Queensland, down into New South Wales, and on a small part of the southern coast (east of the Great Australian Bight).
Because they eat so much eucalyptus, which doesn't have much protein, Koalas sleep about 20 hours a day. (We all need protein; Bears and Humans would sleep a lot, too, without protein.) But Koalas eat eucalyptus, just as Giant Pandas eat bamboo. (But, unlike Pandas, Koalas aren't Bears.)
The Koala population is declining. Too much Human encroachment (sneaking in) on their habitat (trees — groves of Eucalyptus trees; forests, even). So, if you're going to get a building permit in Australia, you have to prove no Koala will be harmed by the construction of whatever you're creating. That's the truth; that's the law! (Even Wikipedia says so.)
Oh, and did I mention that Koalas are not Bears? They're not Bears, even if people call them Bears.
They're Koalas.
K is also for kite, kick, kitchen, king, and kleptomaniac (which some people think is an alternate word for "politician").
Blessings and Bear hugs, friends.
Dear Rob-Bear
ReplyDeleteVictor Guinea Pig asked me to drop by and see you. He's not been well, but is better now. He's not a to z-ing this year but I am. I'm doing a theme of stories, some of which you may like.
Happy A to Z-ing and I like your new home.
Jemima at Jemima's blog
My best wishes to Victor. Hope he continues to do well.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Good to know! I think they're adorable. ☺
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Friday.
Bear, you've got great stamina to Keep the alphabet going.
ReplyDeleteOther favorite K words...key, knowledge, kind, knitting. Some folks might suggest kale and kebab, even ketchup or kipper.
And, of course, kisses!
xo
What? Koalas aren't bears? Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThey are still adorable.
Koala hugs to you today, Bear!
Very nice Koala, thanks for sharing.
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hahahaha, i thought you were taking a break from blogging!
ReplyDeleteare you half way through the alphabet (stopping to count...) (....)
no, up to letter 11. my favorite word so far is coffee, my second favorite is goose :^)
i did not know koalas are not bears. i didn't know that at all. so now i'm glad i do. i am going to try to weave that knowledge into a conversation as soon as i can. :^)
love!
kj
But, they are so cute, like bears. :) Sorry couldn't resist. Thanks for an interesting read on Koalas. I did not know that they were in decline. I'm glad to learn that Australia has a building permit to help the Koalas, even if they are not bears. :)
ReplyDelete#1329
A to Z April Blogging Challenge
http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/k-is-for-kismet/
I didn't know that about koalas, Bear. I learn so many interesting things from you! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad to find you here!
ReplyDeleteOh, but they are so cute! My oldest did a report on them when she was in elementary school. Such incredible creatures, they are!
ReplyDeleteYou know I knew the marsupial thing but didnt put 2 and 2 together that a koala therefore is not a bear. Hmmmmmm. I wonder what else I am in denial about?
ReplyDeleteA major river in Egypt?
DeleteYou learn something new everyday. I thought they were bears. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThese are one of the cutest animals ever! Nice choice of post :)
ReplyDeleteFour Leaf Clover
I went to a nature preserve in Tasmania that included a talk about the various marsupials. They'd bring out each animal as they talked about it, so I got to pet a koala, a tasmanian devil and a womabt, and feed a bunch of kangaroos. Interesting creatures. Koalas have hard bony plate sin their rears to help wedge themselves into tree forks.
ReplyDeleteSome days I wish I was a koala...just for the sleep. I'm not sure I could subsist on a diet of eucalyptus though. Maybe I could be a past-eating koala...a carboala. Jennifer a.k.a. Urban Gypsy Girl
ReplyDeleteso let me get this straight- they're not bears? Haha just kidding. I'm glad you pointed it out :) I love Koalas and it's nice to find out some interesting things about them beyond that they are incredibly cute. I'm also glad that there are "Koala laws" for building and such. Good post :)
ReplyDeleteI shall cease calling Koalas "Koala Bears", in that case. I knew they aren't bears . . . I just never thought of leaving out the second word, for some reason.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post!
Bear,
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny.
Very interesting. I did not know anything about Koala Bears and I know better than to believe everything that I hear...really. But often I do. Low-information people do that, I've noticed. Hahaha
Here's to the Koala. (not bear)
Sorry, folks. My brain went out to play, and hasn't come back, so I'm sending out this general "Thank you for visiting" note.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
You're right, koalas are not bears. They're also not cute, cuddly, or anything you'd want to hold on your lap. They're snarling, stinky little critters. It always amazes me when people say they want to hold a koala, those things scratch and bite!
ReplyDeleteI think they are sooooooooooooo cute - but I heard that they are pretty mean! sandie
ReplyDeleteCan I be a koala? I'd love to sleep 20 hours a day. That'd be the life. Yet, I do like having ample time to get things done. Shrugs.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly interesting! My son is doing a research project on panda bears and found this out about the koala in one of the books he was using for researching. He is in 1st grade and loving every minute of it. Loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
How is my friend feeling ?
ReplyDeleteI would suggest eucalyptus tea....but I'm not sure there even is such a thing. I just made that up after reading your blog! :)
Koalas aren't bears, but they are cute as bears!!
Did you know that Koalas are not bears? True fact! *hides*
ReplyDeleteI love these furry little dudes. They are so cute.
ReplyDeleteDark Thoughts Blog
On some nature show, I remember the expert saying that because koalas eat so much eucalyptus, they are also a little drugged, thus move slowly. True?
ReplyDeleteNo idea, Susan. But it is entirely possible. I'd need to do more reading on Eucalyptus.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I grew up in the Australian outback, so I've seen my fair share of koalas...and they don't get any less cute!! Whenever I've had overseas guests in Australia, a trip to a national park to 'hold' a koala is always a highlight for them!
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But I also know they can be ill-tempered. I've not found that in any of my research, but a couple of mates have said Koalas can be nasty. Do you know anything about that?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Thanks for all your notes, friends. I think by Monday, this Bear will be up and going again.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Koalas are so great. I love the little photo you included. What a cutie!
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