Australia's Arboreal Marsupial: The Koala

The iconic Australian tree-dwelling marsupial is the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Key Characteristics

• Habitat: Eucalyptus forests across eastern and southeastern Australia
• Diet: Almost exclusively eucalyptus leaves (toxic to most animals)
• Behavior: Sedentary—sleep 18-22 hours/day; solitary
• Status: Vulnerable (habitat loss, disease, climate change, bushfires)

Despite the colloquial "koala bear," they're not bears but marsupials—young develop in a backward-facing pouch. Regional variations exist in size and fur thickness.

Koalas are cultural symbols of Australia and flagship species for forest conservation.