- Although there are only 2,000-8,000 koalas left in the wild, having decreased by 90% over less than 10 years, they are not considered endangered
- Like fellow marsupials kangaroos and wombats, koalas have pouches to carry their young in, but unlike the others, they need to build strong muscles to keep the ring of the pouch closed so the young don’t fall out
- Koalas are born prematurely (not fully grown) and continue their growth process in the parent’s pouch.
- Matured male koalas have a gland in the center of their chest that emits a dark, sticky substance used to mark their territory.
Evolutionary Time: Koalas likely evolved when Australia drifted northwards from the Antarctic landmass about 45 million years ago. There are koala-like fossils dating back to around 25 million years ago, but it is still a strong belief that they evolved at the earlier date. This information is supported by the research of scientists in the field of archaeology. Archaeologists use radioactive isotopes to give an approximate date of original existence to fossils. But how are koalas estimated to have been around 45 million years ago if the fossils are only dated back to 25 million? If we have evidence of fossils dating back to then, we know that they had to evolve some time before, and this was the approximated answer.
Discovery: Aborigines, the native people of Australia, are believed to have been present around 60 million years ago. Animals were a great part of their lifestyle, as told through their passed down myths, stories, and traditions. In 1778, the "First Fleet" of Europeans arrived on the continent and a man by the name of John Prince recorded a brilliant sight: a koala! This was the first time a koala was ever mentioned in recorded history. Due to its shape, coat, coloring, and behavior, it was believed to be a bear at the time of its scientific naming (Phascolarctos cinereus means ash grey pouched bear). Not much later, it was discovered that the species was not actually of the bear family, but rather from a group of marsupials. The koala continues to be known as a large (and adorable) part of Australian culture to this day.
Discovery: Aborigines, the native people of Australia, are believed to have been present around 60 million years ago. Animals were a great part of their lifestyle, as told through their passed down myths, stories, and traditions. In 1778, the "First Fleet" of Europeans arrived on the continent and a man by the name of John Prince recorded a brilliant sight: a koala! This was the first time a koala was ever mentioned in recorded history. Due to its shape, coat, coloring, and behavior, it was believed to be a bear at the time of its scientific naming (Phascolarctos cinereus means ash grey pouched bear). Not much later, it was discovered that the species was not actually of the bear family, but rather from a group of marsupials. The koala continues to be known as a large (and adorable) part of Australian culture to this day.