Koala or marsupial bear (Phascolarctos cinereus) - the only species of the koala family, the koala lives in eastern Australia.
Koala - small beast dense build, body length 60–82 cm, weight from 5 to 16 kg. The tail of the koala is very short, invisible from the outside, the head is large and wide, the ears are large, the eyes are small. The hairline of the koala is thick and soft, on the back the color changes from light gray to dark gray, sometimes reddish or reddish, the abdomen is lighter.

The size and color of the koala depends on the habitat, as koalas are larger, they have thicker dark gray fur, often with a brownish tint on the back. In tropical and subtropical koalas are much smaller and lighter, their fur is rarer and shorter.

The limbs of the koala are adapted for climbing - the thumb and forefinger of the front and hind limbs are opposed to the rest, which allows the koala to grab the branches of trees, there is no claw on the thumb of the hind limbs. The claws are strong and sharp, able to support the weight of the animal. Koalas are one of the few non-primates to have a papillary pattern on their fingertips, koala fingerprints are indistinguishable from human fingerprints even under an electron microscope.

The koala is called a marsupial bear because the koala's face is a bit like a bear, and the location of the brood bag and the dental formula bring it closer to, with which it apparently had a common ancestor.

Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests and spend almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps for 18–22 hours a day, and at night it climbs trees, looking for food. Even if the koala does not sleep, it usually sits completely still for hours, clasping a branch or tree trunk with its front paws. A koala descends to the ground only to move to a new tree, which it cannot jump to, and koalas jump from tree to tree with surprising deftness and confidence.

The slowness of the koala is associated with the peculiarities of its nutrition. He adapted to eat almost exclusively shoots and leaves of eucalyptus, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but contain a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds that are poisonous to most animals. In addition, young shoots, especially closer to autumn, contain hydrocyanic acid. Thanks to them poisonous properties food competition from other animals in the koala is extremely small - besides it, only ring-tailed opossum and marsupial flying squirrel feed on eucalyptus leaves.

In order not to be poisoned, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus that contain less phenolic compounds, and prefer trees that grow on fertile soils (especially along river banks), in whose leaves the concentration of poison is lower than that of eucalypts growing on poor, infertile soils. lands. As a result, out of 800 species of eucalyptus, koalas feed on only 120 species. Apparently, a developed sense of smell helps koalas choose suitable food. In captivity, where the choice of the animal is usually less, it is even capable of food poisoning as a result of a cumulative effect.
The metabolic rate in the body of the koala is almost half that of most mammals (with the exception of wombats and sloths), which helps it compensate for the low nutritional value of the diet. On the day, the koala needs from 0.5 to 1.1 kg of leaves, which he carefully crushes and chews, accumulating the resulting mass in the cheek pouches. Like all mammals that feed on fibrous vegetable feed, koalas have a rich microflora in their digestive tract, including bacteria that convert indigestible cellulose into digestible compounds. The caecum, where the process of digestion takes place, is extremely developed, reaching a length of 2.4 m. Poisonous substances, entering the bloodstream, are neutralized in the liver.

“Koala” in the language of the tribes means “do not drink”, - the koala receives all the necessary moisture from the leaves of eucalyptus trees, as well as from the dew on the leaves. They drink water only during periods of prolonged drought and during illness. To make up for the deficit minerals in the body, koalas occasionally eat the earth.

There is no natural regulator of the number of these animals in nature - aboriginal predators do not hunt them; Koalas are attacked only by dingoes and feral dogs. But koalas often get sick. Cystitis, periostitis of the skull, conjunctivitis, sinusitis are their common diseases; sinusitis often leads to inflammation of the lungs, especially in cold winters.

Female koalas lead a solitary life and stick to their territories, which they rarely leave. In fertile areas, the areas of individual individuals often overlap each other. Males are not territorial, but even less sociable - when they meet, especially during the breeding season, they often attack each other, causing injury.

Only during the breeding season, which lasts from October to February, koalas gather in groups consisting of an adult male and several females. At this time, males often rub their chest against the trees, leaving odorous marks, and emit loud calling cries, sometimes heard from a kilometer away. Since fewer males are born than females, harems of 2-5 females gather around male koalas during the mating season. Mating takes place on a tree (optionally a eucalyptus).

Pregnancy lasts 30-35 days. There is only one cub in the litter, which at birth has a length of only 15–18 mm and a weight of about 5.5 g; occasionally twins. The cub stays in the bag for 6 months, feeding on milk, and then for another six months it "travels" on the mother's back or stomach, clinging to her fur. At the age of 30 weeks, he begins to eat semi-liquid mother's excrement, consisting of a kind of gruel from semi-digested eucalyptus leaves - in this way, microorganisms necessary for the digestive process enter the digestive tract of young koalas. The mother excretes this slurry for about a month. At the age of one year, the cubs become independent - young females aged 12-18 months go in search of sites, but males often stay with their mothers until 2-3 years old.
Koalas breed once every 1-2 years. Puberty in females it occurs at 2-3 years, in males - at 3-4 years. On average, a koala lives 12-13 years, although there are cases when they lived to the age of 20.

Koalas are small dense animals, whose height ranges from 60 to 85 cm, weight is 5-16 kg. The head of these animals is large, the muzzle is flat. The eyes are small and widely spaced. The ears are rounded, furry and large, always listening, alert. The paws of koalas are well adapted for clinging and climbing, the index and thumb are opposed to the rest, it is convenient to grab branches with them. The tail of the animal is quite small, almost imperceptible.

The fur of koalas is thick and soft, its color depends on the habitat of the animal, so it can be gray, reddish or red. On the belly, the hair is always lighter than on the back. The most prominent part of the body of the animal is the claws. They are pretty powerful. Having thrust them into a tree, the koala will not fall, even if it falls asleep (and they sometimes sleep up to twenty hours a day). Koalas are phlegmatic animals, they can sit on a tree for hours, only occasionally turning their heads. Often, the same imperturbable baby sits on the back of the mother. These funny animals are usually silent, but males emit a loud calling call that can be heard during the breeding season from a distance of a kilometer.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives on the crowns of trees. Animals sleep during the day, comfortably sitting on the branches, and at night they climb trees in search of food. Koalas descend to the ground only to go to another tree, to which they cannot jump (although koalas jump, surprisingly, confidently and easily). These sluggish and phlegmatic animals for flight escape pass to an energetic gallop, quickly climbing the nearest eucalyptus tree.

The slowness of koalas is associated with nutritional characteristics. Animals have adapted to eat only the leaves and shoots of eucalyptus, which contain little protein, but a lot of terpene and phenolic compounds (for most animals they are poisonous). Closer to autumn, hydrocyanic acid accumulates in young shoots. Due to the poisonous properties of the plant, food competition for koalas is extremely small.

Koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus that contain a smaller amount of phenolic compounds, and also prefer trees growing on fertile soil. Of 800 species of eucalyptus marsupial bears feed on only 120 species. A developed sense of smell allows koalas to choose the right food. Every day, the animal eats up to 1.1 kg of leaves, which it thoroughly chews and accumulates green mass in the cheek pouches.

Koalas get all the moisture from eucalyptus leaves and dew on them. Animals drink water only during periods of prolonged drought, as well as during illness. To make up for the deficiency of minerals, these animals from time to time eat nutrient soil. The most common diseases of koalas: cystitis, conjunctivitis, periostitis of the skull, sinusitis.

reproduction

Females stick to their sites and lead a solitary lifestyle, rarely leaving their place of residence. Male koalas are not territorial, but when they meet they often attack each other (especially during the breeding season) and injure.

The mating season lasts from October to February. Animals gather in groups that consist of several females and one male (since there are much fewer males born). During this period, males make loud calls and rub their chest against trees, leaving marks. Mating between animals takes place in trees.

Pregnancy of the female lasts an average of 30-35 days. There is only one cub in the litter. At birth, the baby has a body length of up to 18 mm, a body weight of about 6 grams. A koala bears a cub in a bag for up to six months. Then he travels for the same time on his mother's back, clinging to the fur and feeding on milk. At the age of 30 weeks, the baby koala begins to eat the liquid excrement of the mother. At the age of one year, he becomes independent and goes in search of sites (often they stay with their mothers for up to three years).

Koalas breed once a year or two. Sexual maturity in males occurs at 3-4 years, in females - at 2-3 years. These animals live an average of 13 years.

Koala - "does not drink", something like the name of this animal is translated from one of the local Australian dialects. Many years passed before biologists established that this plush bumpkin occasionally, but still drinks water.

Description of the koala

The pioneer of the species was Marine officer Barralier, who in 1802 discovered and sent the preserved remains of a koala to the governor of New South Wales. A live koala was caught near Sydney already in next year, and a couple of months later, readers of the Sydney Gazette saw him detailed description. Since 1808, the koala has been considered a close relative of the wombat, being part of the same squad of two-bladed marsupials with it, but being the only representative of the koala family.

Appearance

The comical combination of a flattened leathery nose, small blind eyes and expressive, widely spaced ears with hair sticking out at the edges adds charm to the appearance.

Outwardly, the koala slightly resembles, but, unlike the latter, it is endowed with more pleasant, thick and soft fur up to 3 cm high and elongated limbs. Northern animals are smaller in size (females sometimes do not even reach 5 kg), southern animals are almost three times larger (males weigh almost 14 kg).

This is interesting! Few people know that koalas are rare mammals(along with primates), whose fingertips are drawn with unique papillary patterns, just like in humans.

The teeth of the koala are adapted to eating plants and are similar in structure to the teeth of other two-incisor marsupials (including kangaroos and wombats). Sharp incisors, with which the animal cuts leaves, and grinding teeth are separated from each other by a diastema.

Since the koala feeds on trees, nature has given him long, tenacious claws on his front paws. Each hand is equipped with two (set aside) two-phalangeal thumbs, opposing three standard fingers (with three phalanges).

The hind legs are arranged differently: on the foot there is a single thumb(devoid of a claw) and four others armed with claws. Thanks to the grasping paws, the animal clings tightly to the branches, locking the brushes into the castle: in this position, the koala clings to the mother (until it becomes independent), and having matured, has lunch, hangs on one paw and sleeps.

The thick coat is colored in smoky gray shades, but the belly always looks lighter. The tail resembles a bear's: it is so short that it is almost invisible to outsiders.

Character and lifestyle

The whole life of the koala takes place in the thick of the eucalyptus forest: during the day he sleeps, sitting on a branch / fork of branches, and at night he climbs the crown in search of food.

Females live alone, rarely going beyond the boundaries of personal areas, which occasionally (usually in food-rich regions) coincide. Males do not set boundaries, but they do not differ in friendliness either: when they meet (especially during the rut), they fight until they are tangibly injured.

Koala is able to freeze in one position for 16-18 hours a day, not counting sleep. Numbly, he sits motionless, clasping the trunk or branch with his forelimbs. When the foliage ends, the koala jumps easily and dexterously to the next tree, descending to the ground only if the target is too far away.

In danger, a retarded koala demonstrates an energetic gallop, thanks to which it quickly reaches the nearest tree and climbs up. If necessary, swim across the water barrier.

This is interesting! The koala is silent, but when frightened or injured, it makes a loud and low sound, surprising for its small build. For this cry, as zoologists have found out, a pair of vocal cords (additional), which is located behind the larynx, is responsible.

IN last years on the Australian continent, many highways have been built that cross eucalyptus forests, and slow koalas, crossing the road, often die under the wheels. The low intelligence of koalas is complemented by their incredible friendliness and good tameability: in captivity, they are touchingly attached to the people who care for them.

Lifespan

IN wild nature the koala lives up to about 12-13 years, but in zoos with good care some specimens lived up to 18–20 years of age.

Range, habitats

As an endemic to the Australian continent, the koala is found only here and nowhere else. The natural range of marsupials includes coastal regions in the east and south of Australia. At the beginning of the last century, koalas were brought to Western Australia (Yanchep Park), as well as to several islands (including Magnetic Island and Kangaroo Island) near Queensland. Now Magnitny Island is recognized as the northernmost point of the modern range.

In the first half of the last century, many marsupials that lived in the state of South Australia were exterminated. The livestock had to be restored with animals brought from Victoria.

Important! Today, the total area of ​​​​the range, which includes about 30 biogeographic regions, is almost 1 million km². Typical habitats of koalas are dense eucalyptus forests, which are in close food connection with these marsupials.

Koala Diet

The animal has practically no food competitors - only marsupial flying squirrel and ring-tailed couscous show similar gastronomic preferences. Fibrous shoots and leaves of eucalyptus (with a high concentration of phenolic / terpene substances) - this is what the koala eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is little protein in this vegetation, and hydrocyanic acid is also formed in young shoots (with the approach of autumn).

But the animals, thanks to their keen sense of smell, have learned to select the least poisonous species eucalyptus, growing, as a rule, on fertile soil along river banks. Their foliage, as it turned out, is less toxic than that of trees growing in infertile areas. Biologists have calculated that only 120 species of eucalyptus out of eight hundred are included in the food base of marsupials.

Important! The low calorie content of the food is quite consistent with the energy consumption of a phlegmatic animal, since its metabolism is two times lower than that of most mammals. In terms of metabolic rate, the koala is comparable only to the sloth and the wombat.

During the day, the animal plucks and carefully chews from 0.5 to 1.1 kg of leaves, putting the grated mixture into its cheek pouches. digestive tract well adapted to the digestion of plant fibers: their assimilation is helped by a unique microflora with bacteria that easily decompose coarse cellulose.

The process of food processing continues in the long caecum (up to 2.4 m long), and then the liver takes over, neutralizing all the toxins that enter the blood.

Periodically, koalas are taken to eat the earth - this is how they make up for the lack of valuable minerals. These marsupials drink very little: water appears in their diet only when they are sick, and during periods of prolonged drought. In normal times, the dew on the leaves and the moisture contained in the eucalyptus leaves are enough for the koala.

Reproduction and offspring

Koalas are not particularly prolific and start breeding every 2 years. During this period, which lasts from October to February, the males rub their chest against the trunks (to leave their marks) and yell loudly, calling for a partner.

Females select the applicant according to the exhaustion of the scream (audible per kilometer) and in size (the larger, the better). Male koalas are always in short supply (fewer are born), so one chosen one fertilizes from 2 to 5 brides per season.

This is interesting! The male has a forked penis, the female has 2 vaginas and 2 autonomous uterus: this is how the reproductive organs of all marsupials are arranged. Sexual intercourse occurs on a tree, gestation lasts about 30-35 days. Koalas rarely give birth to twins, much more often a single naked and pink child (up to 1.8 cm in length and weighing 5.5 g) is born.

The cub drinks milk for half a year and sits in a bag, and for the next six months rides on its mother (back or belly), grabbing its fur. At 30 weeks of age, he begins to eat maternal excrement - porridge from semi-digested leaves. He eats this food for a month.

Young animals gain independence by about a year, but males often stay with their mother until 2–3 years old, while one-year-old and one and a half year old females leave home in search of their own plots. Fertility in females occurs at 2-3 years, in males - at 3-4 years.

The koala resembles a cute teddy bear, but this animal has nothing to do with bears. It seems friendly in appearance, but if attacked, it will be able to defend itself with sharp claws.

Koalas live in the eucalyptus forests of Australia. east coast, not higher than 600 meters above sea level. This marsupial mammal eats almost nothing but a few species eucalyptus leaves. Body length in males 86 cm, weight 12 kg. The females have a weight of 8 kg and a length of 76 cm. The color, as you can see in the photo of the koala, is from gray to reddish, with a white spot on the chest, armpits and chin.

The koala is not too active; its food is low-calorie and low-quality. He spends his whole life in trees, sleeping, about 18 hours a day, and eating the rest of the time. He grinds young leaves into a mushy mass with powerful teeth. An adult animal eats up to 800 g of leaves per day. The liver of the koala is special, it is able to neutralize the poison contained in some leaves.

October to February at night different corners strange sounds are heard in the forest. This is the start of the breeding season and these sounds are the cries of males. Each male mates with several koalas, he is constantly on the move, visiting his females and driving rivals from his territory.

In the middle of summer, the koala gives birth to one baby, and like all marsupials, he climbs into her bag and stays in it for about six months. The cub feeds on the partially digested food of the mother, which has already passed through the body. Such food is easier to digest and also performs an important function: it transfers beneficial microbes from the mother’s intestines. These bacteria are useful, they multiply in the body and help the little koala digest the tough eucalyptus leaves. After leaving the bag, the cub rides on the mother's back for several months.

The life expectancy of a koala is 13 years, in captivity 18.

In the depths of the eucalyptus forests, you can meet a very cute and cute animal - a koala. Marsupials live in Australia and were artificially populated on the local Kangaroo Island.

This is a herbivore, which, according to many, got its name from the language of the natives.

“Koala” means those who do not like water. However, the cubs love water, but they drink it in an unusual way - they collect dew from eucalyptus leaves.

This name was introduced by the French zoologist Blainville. At first, the inhabitants of the continent called the koala simply "tree bear".

Appearance of koalas

Outwardly, koalas look like large wombats or like small bears. They have long, thick fur that is soft to the touch. Elongated legs help them to easily move through the trees.

Koalas have large rounded ears and arched claws with which they can hold up to 15 kg. The upper paws have a brush consisting of 2 parts - this is very convenient for moving through the trees. The lower legs are shorter and less developed, but this is not a fault.

Interestingly, koala fingerprints have the same structure as humans. Their teeth are about the same as those of kangaroos and wombars. These are sharp and strong incisors that easily cope with leaves.

One and interesting features these animals is a binary reproductive system. Females have 2 vaginas, while the male has a bifurcated penis.

Such a device of the reproductive system is typical for all marsupials, but it causes great delight among lovers of the animal world.

Koalas have very small brains. Its weight does not exceed 0.2% of the bear's body weight.

According to scientists, it used to be larger, but in the process of evolution it decreased in size. This is due to the small selection of food, which is mainly vegetation.

Thus, this is one of the marsupials that have the most little brain. Outwardly, for example, in the photo of koalas, it is impossible to distinguish, because the head is quite proportional to the body.

On average, their life expectancy is about 15-20 years. Koalas practically do not make sounds. The most frequent occurrence is the calling call of males during the mating season.

How do koalas live?

The main part of the life of the cubs are in the trees. Basically they choose eucalyptus. For more than half the day, koalas are very passive. They can spend up to 12-16 hours in the same place, while being practically motionless.

Sometimes, when it doesn’t come out to get to a neighboring tree, a koala can descend to the ground and reach it, but this happens very reluctantly and one can say that the animal is “lazy”.

It is worth noting that in case of need (say danger), they can move quickly enough and jump to other trees.

If necessary, they can even swim, but under normal conditions they do not, keeping calm.

According to experts, this behavior is directly shaped by what koalas eat. It doesn't take much effort to get food. It is in abundance on the trees, so koalas do not need to move quickly.

In addition, their main diet is eucalyptus leaves, which inhibit all processes in the body. It takes to digest a large number of energy. Eucalyptus shoots also contain poisons. The competition for such food is minimal.

In addition to koalas, only opossums and flying squirrels feed on eucalyptus. In the absence of a struggle for food, cubs can afford such imposing behavior.

What color are koalas?

They have a color that is similar in all individuals, but may have its own characteristics. Their fur can be several color schemes brown and grey.

The color of the koala helps them to camouflage themselves in the canopy of the tree. Given that they can be stationary for long periods of time, they can be quite difficult to spot.

Reproduction and social order

Koalas live alone, they do not create families and prefer to be on their own. They also do not have a separate protected area.

Sometimes, in some photos, koalas are gathered together - the animals are preparing for mating season. They form small groups of up to 5 individuals. Each group has 1 male. It attracts females with a secret that remains on the branches after rubbing against it with the breast.

The criterion for choosing a male is not only the smell, but also the call of males.

Having picked up the most suitable male, the female agrees to mate. It goes on a tree. Already 4 weeks after conception, a cub is born. Sometimes females have twins. Most often, girls are born.

Photo of a koala