World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Inside the koala
Koalas are adapted for an unusual life in the trees. They
have strong legs, flexible paws and curved claws to grip
to the branches, and an enlarged digestive system that
allows them to digest the toxic leaves of eucalyptus plants
Paw
adaptations
large skull
Male koalas have broader heads than
females, and both sexes have large
skulls in comparison to their body
size. This provides an anchor point
for their enormous jaw muscles.
vertical pupils
Most marsupials have horizontal
pupils, but koala eyes have vertical
slits. Their eyesight isn’t very good,
with smell and hearing being
much more important senses.
Sharp, curved claws and two
opposable thumbs on the front
paws help with grip. The back
paws only have one thumb.
Jaw
muscles
Two of the fingers on the back
feet are partially fused. These
strange digits are used for
personal grooming.
Digestive detox
Eucalyptus leaves are
toxic to most animals,
but koala digestive
systems are adapted
to process this
dangerous food.
Tufty fur
The fur of a koala is short and thick,
providing some padding when
they’re sitting in the trees. The
mottled grey and white colouring
helps to break up their outline.
Small brain
Koalas have smaller
brains than other
marsupials in comparison
to their body size, helping
to save energy.
Chubby cheeks
The distinctive cheeks of a koala
conceal powerful jaw muscles
and cheek pouches. Their diet
takes a lot of chewing, so their
jaws are enlarged and their
back teeth are sharp.
Oesophagus
large ears
Koalas have sensitive hearing. They
communicate using low bellowing
sounds, particularly during the breeding
season, and their middle ear is enlarged
to help transmit the vibrations.
Muscular limbs
Thick, stocky
limbs enable
koalas to
effortlessly grip
to tree branches.
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