Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal, herbivorous marsupial (not a bear!) endemic to Australia. It is the only living member of the family Phascolarctidae, and its closest living relatives are wombats (family Vombatidae). Koalas live across much of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and a small area of South Australia, typically in eucalypt forests and woodlands. They have a highly specialized diet dominated by eucalypt leaves (and a few related tree species) and obtain most of their water from those leaves, usually coming down to drink only during very hot or dry periods. Koalas are easily recognized by their stout, tailless body, round fluffy ears, and large leathery nose.

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal, herbivorous marsupial (not a bear!) endemic to Australia. It is the only living member of the family Phascolarctidae, and its closest living relatives are wombats (family Vombatidae). Koalas live across much of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and a small area of South Australia, typically in eucalypt forests and woodlands. They have a highly specialized diet dominated by eucalypt leaves (and a few related tree species) and obtain most of their water from those leaves, usually coming down to drink only during very hot or dry periods. Koalas are easily recognized by their stout, tailless body, round fluffy ears, and large leathery nose.