Did you know that the koala bear isn’t actually a bear? It’s true! The koala’s closest relative is the wombat.
Here are some other fun facts about koalas:
- They are marsupials, and the mother has a pouch like a kangaroo.
- Koalas also have “cheek pouches”, which allow them to store up their next snack.
- Like primates, koalas have friction ridges on their paws, allowing them a better grip.
- Koalas sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
- Unlike many animals, Koalas don’t have litters. They give birth to a single koala, or sometimes twins.
- Like kangaroos, baby koalas are called “joeys”.
- Koalas can live up to 18 years in the wild.
- They are slow moving animals, not unlike sloths.
- Koalas are native to Australia, and are credited for a large part of the country’s tourism.
Want to learn more about koalas? Check out our koala resources on Discovery Education Streaming!