8 Physical Characteristics of the Koala

Koalas are perhaps one of Australia’s most easily recognisable creatures. Living in Eucalyptus trees, they are largely solitary animals that spend much of their day sleeping and easting. But what eight physical characteristics are most associated with this beautiful creature? Let’s find out.

 

1. Sharp Claws

Koalas are excellent climbers and grip onto tree trunks and branches for many hours a day. If you’re looking at a koala in a picture book or at a zoo, you’ll notice they have sharp, curved claws to make this easier. The curve of the claws makes climbing more efficient, providing traction on the tree bark.

 

2. Opposable Thumbs

If you look closely you’ll see that koalas’ paws also have a feature that’s unusual in the animal kingdom: opposable thumbs. Like humans and primates, they can flex and abduct their thumbs to help them grip onto branches.

 

3. Silvery Grey Fur

Whether you’ve seen the illustrations in The Koala Who Could book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, or have been lucky enough to see one in the wild, you’ll know that koalas have silvery grey fur. This is dense in texture to protect them from the temperature extremes that often occur in their habitat.

 

4. Extra-Dense Bottom Fur

Speaking of fur, koalas have an extra-dense patch of fur on their bottoms. This acts as a kind of cushion, making it more comfy to rest in the fork of a branch. Their bottoms are also speckled to make them difficult for predators to spot from the ground.

 

5. Large, Round Ears

Koalas are often referred to as koala bears, possibly because of their large round ears. These are covered in a soft silvery fur and make it easier for koalas to distinguish all the different sounds of their arboreal environment.

 

6. Large Nose

As well as having prominent ears, koalas have a big, black nose which has a leathery appearance. This gives them a precise sense of smell, which they rely on to identify the best eucalyptus leaves to munch on. Did you know that eucalyptus leaves have varying levels of toxins, and a koala’s nose is key to helping it find the safest ones to eat?

 

7. Chunky thighs

Most of the strength for tree climbing comes from the koala’s large, muscular thighs. This joins the shin much lower than on many other mammals, giving koalas plenty of power to push themselves up into the treetops.

 

8. Thick Paw Pads

Koalas have rough, textured pads on the bottom of their paws. This helps them to grip as they make their way through their forest habitats. The pads also help them to stabilise their body when they are sleeping and prevent minor injuries and abrasions that might occur on softer skin.

 

If you love koalas, don’t miss the touring theatre production of The Koala Who Could. Based on the much loved picture book, The Koala Who Could story is all about learning that “life can be great when you try something new.” Suitable for children aged three and above, this stage adaptation is  fun for the whole family.