Koala Facts
Discover the unique world of koalas, the challenges they face, and how you can help protect them.
Fact One:
“Koala” means “no water”
The word “koala” comes from the Dharug language and roughly translates to “no water.” That’s because koalas rarely drink; they stay hydrated by eating eucalyptus leaves. However, during droughts, heatwaves, and bushfires, they’ll seek out extra water to survive.
Fact Two:
They thrive on one of the driest continents
Australia is incredibly dry, and koalas have adapted well to these conditions. You’ll find them in the eucalyptus forests and woodlands along the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, often close to creeks or streams.
Fact Three:
They’re not bears at all!
Despite being called “koala bears,” they’re actually marsupials, like kangaroos and possums. Female koalas raise their young (called joeys) in a pouch until they’re strong enough to cling to their mother’s back and explore the trees.
Fact Four:
They eat poisonous leaves...and love it!
Koalas have a superpower: they can safely eat eucalyptus leaves, which are toxic to most animals. Their special gut bacteria and liver enzymes help break down the toxins. On average, they munch through up to a kilogram of leaves a day!
Fact Five:
They prefer a solo lifestyle
Koalas are mostly solitary animals. Once they leave their mother’s pouch, young koalas go off to claim their own territory. They’re not highly social, but during mating season, their home ranges may overlap with other koalas.
Fact Six:
Napping is serious business
Koalas sleep a lot — up to 18 to 20 hours a day! Since eucalyptus leaves provide very little energy, koalas conserve theirs by spending most of the day curled up in a tree fork, dozing peacefully.
Fact Seven:
Their nose knows best
Koalas have a fantastic sense of smell. They sniff out the freshest eucalyptus leaves and can detect chemical cues left by other koalas on trees. Their leathery noses are key to finding food — and avoiding danger.
Fact Eight:
They live up to 15 years in the wild
Female koalas can live around 15 years, while males typically reach about 12. You can spot a male koala by the dark scent gland on his chest, which he uses to mark his territory.
Fact Nine:
They’re the last of their kind
Koalas are the only surviving species in their family, Phascolarctidae. Their closest relatives are wombats! With fewer than 300,000 mature individuals left in the wild, koalas are listed as vulnerable and need our protection more than ever.
Fact Ten:
Their future is under threat
Koala populations are declining due to deforestation, habitat loss, disease, drought, and climate change. Bushfires, like those in 2019–2020, have devastated their numbers. Without urgent action, these iconic animals could disappear from the wild.
