Other rights may be detailed in text
Other rights may be detailed in text
Koalas survive on about 20 species of eucalyptus, of which the Coastal Manna gum (Eucalyptus pryoriana) is a favourite. Many trees on the Island have abundant with new growth but a lot of it is toxic to koalas. Unlike other Eucalyptus varieties, manna gums are koala 'super food' and are palatable all year round. Koalas eat between 200-500 grams of leaves per day.
Koalas give birth to one ‘joey’, which stays in the pouch with mum for 5 - 7 months.
Koalas are largely nocturnal and sedentary tree dwellers, seldom coming to ground except when moving to another tree.
Thick woolly fur protects koalas from the high and low temperatures and also acts like a raincoat.
Once grown, koalas live at relatively large distances apart,
Koala noses are unusually large and their highly developed sense of smell can differentiate between types of leaves and detect toxin levels in eucalyptus leaves.
Dense rump fur provides an inbuilt 'cushion' for the hard branches where the koala sits.
Koalas have great climbing strength and paws that are specially adapted for gripping and climbing.
Despite having no tail, koalas have excellent balance and can sleep in the most extraordinary positions.
Koalas have patches of white fur inside the ears, on their chin, chest and neck, inside the front limbs and usually on their rump.
A koala's keen sense of hearing is very important to their socialisation with other koalas.
Koalas breed in June and females raise their young in a pouch.
Early Europeans thought koalas looked cuddly like bears - but they are marsupials and are not related. Their closest relative is the common wombat. To keep the Raymond island population healthy and maintain its environmental sustainability, a koala management program is in place. Find out more...
Mature males have a dark brown scent gland in the centre of their white chest.