© JJ Harrison/Wikimedia Commons

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!