Koala
Common Name: Koala
Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus
conservation status: Vulnerable
Koalas are one of Australia’s icon animals. they have a flat nose, big ears and have very large and sharp claws to help them to climb trees. They feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which are tough, toxic and low in nutrients the koala has the longest gut for its size of any mammal. They have a body length of 60-85 cm and weigh 4-15 kg’s. Their colour ranges from silver grey to chocolate brown.
Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus
conservation status: Vulnerable
Koalas are one of Australia’s icon animals. they have a flat nose, big ears and have very large and sharp claws to help them to climb trees. They feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which are tough, toxic and low in nutrients the koala has the longest gut for its size of any mammal. They have a body length of 60-85 cm and weigh 4-15 kg’s. Their colour ranges from silver grey to chocolate brown.
Threats To the Koala
The koala faces a range of threats some of these include:
Habitat Loss:
Habitat loss is the biggest threat to koalas. The biggest koala populations are found in areas that have nutrient rich fertile soils, as there’re more trees in these areas and leaves have more nutritional than trees in poorer soils. But these fertile soils are also a fantastic area for farming and where towns and suburbs are being built or expanded on. And this is exactly why trees are being cut down. Another reason why these trees are being cut is that the eucalyptus trees that the koalas live in are highly flammable and are a hazard for bush fires. It is estimated that 80% of the eucalyptus trees growing when the white settlers arrived have disappeared. Also, because of development and the building of roads we are causing koalas to cross roads which can lead to koalas being run over.
Dogs:
Along with cars, dogs are the second largest killers of koalas in Australia . The adverse family dog weighs over 9kg, this is enough to kill or seriously harm a koala. Therefore, the suburbs are very dangerous for koalas to live in. if a koala gets stuck in a fenced-in backyard that has a dog if will have no escape and will die. This is why people living in areas where koalas are found are encouraged to a wooden branch or plank for koalas to climb up out of the garden.
Disease:
Chlamydia is an endemic around many koala populations and it is thought that this disease is in almost all koala populations. Blindness, pneumonia and sterility are all result of this disease. Chlamydia is thought to be a problem brought on by stress. This stress may be caused by loss of habitat, dogs, low food sources etc.
Habitat Loss:
Habitat loss is the biggest threat to koalas. The biggest koala populations are found in areas that have nutrient rich fertile soils, as there’re more trees in these areas and leaves have more nutritional than trees in poorer soils. But these fertile soils are also a fantastic area for farming and where towns and suburbs are being built or expanded on. And this is exactly why trees are being cut down. Another reason why these trees are being cut is that the eucalyptus trees that the koalas live in are highly flammable and are a hazard for bush fires. It is estimated that 80% of the eucalyptus trees growing when the white settlers arrived have disappeared. Also, because of development and the building of roads we are causing koalas to cross roads which can lead to koalas being run over.
Dogs:
Along with cars, dogs are the second largest killers of koalas in Australia . The adverse family dog weighs over 9kg, this is enough to kill or seriously harm a koala. Therefore, the suburbs are very dangerous for koalas to live in. if a koala gets stuck in a fenced-in backyard that has a dog if will have no escape and will die. This is why people living in areas where koalas are found are encouraged to a wooden branch or plank for koalas to climb up out of the garden.
Disease:
Chlamydia is an endemic around many koala populations and it is thought that this disease is in almost all koala populations. Blindness, pneumonia and sterility are all result of this disease. Chlamydia is thought to be a problem brought on by stress. This stress may be caused by loss of habitat, dogs, low food sources etc.
Habitat
The koalas typically inhabit open Eucalyptus woodlands because the leaves make up most of their diet. Koala populations only occur if the habitat fits these two criteria. 1. The presence of a tree species preferred by koalas growing in particular associations on suitable soils with adequate rainfall. 2. The presence of other koalas.
Eucalyptus is becoming more and more threatened each day. Some of the main threats to eucalyptus trees are, climate change and the loss of suitable habitats due to human activities.
Eucalyptus is becoming more and more threatened each day. Some of the main threats to eucalyptus trees are, climate change and the loss of suitable habitats due to human activities.
How Can i help conserve the koala?
here are some tips for how you can help save the koala:
- Do your research. By finding more out about the koala you will have a better understanding of how you can help it.
- Write a letter to a politician or newspaper outlining your concerns about the destruction of their habitat.
- Support the Australian Koala Foundation as they help with funding research and saving habitats.
- Plant eucalyptus trees. Make sure you find out which type of eucalyptus koalas in your area prefer.
- When your driving in a koalas habitat be very careful.
- Keep your pets inside and always keep them on a leash.